Pennsylvania Wing - Apr 2007

8/9/2019 Pennsylvania Wing - Apr 2007

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Photo credits for this article;

Cadet Glenn Koehler

PENNSYLVANIA WING

CIVIL AIR PATROL

CALLED UPON TO

SEARCH FOR MISSING MAN

April 2006 - Vol. 34


2/16

Oh, say can you see, its Squadron 603!

On Monday, March 19th, 2007, Squadron 603 was repre-

sented at Ft. McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland, the birthplace

of our National Anthem. Senior Member Lt Paul Pfingstl,

C/CMSgt Sergeant Paul Pfingstl and Pauls sister Rebecca

were given the honor of raising our Nations Stars and Stripes

that morning above this historic fort.

Fort McHenry is well known for being the guardian of the

city of Baltimore during the War of 1812. On the fateful

morning of September 13th, 1814, the harbor was blockaded

by British ships which then proceeded to assault Ft. McHenry

with congrieve rockets and exploding cannon shells. Duringthe spectacular British bombardment of the fort, Mr. Francis

Scott Key, a captive American lawyer, observed the attack

from his confines on a British warship and penned a poem

which eventually became our National Anthem - The Star

Spangled Banner. The American flag that flew the morning

following the battle was 40 feet X 35 feet and had 15 stars

and 15 stripes. The proclaimed reason the flag was so large

according to the forts commander, Major Armistead, was so

that the British would have no trouble seeing it from across

the ocean in London, England! The flag that flew during the

battle was a smaller 25 foot flag that was used when theweather was bad and would not over-stress and snap the flag

staff. The smaller version is the flag being hoisted by

Squadron 603s C/CMSgt Paul Pfingstl in the photos because

of inclement weather that morning. It was a joyful occasion

none the less for the Pfingstls and just as Francis Scott Key

was so proud to have seen it back then through the rockets

red glare.

Article and photos by: Lt Paul Pfingstl,

Historian for Golden Triangle Composite Squadron 603.

THE PENNSYLVANIA WING CIVIL AIR PATROL


3/16


4/16

FROM THE COMMANDERS OFFICE2

To : The PAWG

Western PAWG is burning up the phone wires over the rumor that the Group 1 is being split! The Group

being split and will be effective 21 April 2007. New commanders will be announced at that time. I can tell you

that the north and south boundary will be Pennsylvania Route 422. The east and west will stay the same. There

will be 7 units in the North and 12 units in the south.I have asked Lt Col Ron Tuman to come to the Wing staff at the time of the split. He has been in com-

mand of Group 1 for almost as long as I have been the Wing CC. He has served well in this capacity and is one o

the senior Group Commanders in the Wing. I want to take a moment and thank him and the Group 1 staff for the

support they have demonstrated on behalf of CAP and the PAWG.

Group 2 should not be surprised if a change should occur in Central, PA, upon completion of the change in

Group 1 and Group 5. We will be taking a serious look at the idea behind a change in the central area.

These changes were planned as far back as 1990 during my first term as the Wing Commander. The three

Group theory, was only a stop gap measure till the six or nine group split could be put into place. The smaller

units will make the operation of the organization more effective.

The nine group split will not occur on my watch, though it would be a great deal easier to manage. With

the advent of the school Group, there would be 10 groups in the PAWG. Your cooperation is appreciated in thiseffort. Putting these new Groups in place will allow the new commanders to settle before I depart, which will aid

in a smoother transition of the new Wing Command.

I look forward to seeing you all at our Wing Conference in September. We will have another super confer

ence and the Change of Command will take place at that time.

Thank you for your continued support,

Very respectfully,

M. Allen Applebaum, Colonel, CAP

Commander

COLONEL M. ALLEN APPLEBAUM

Commander

Pennsylvania Wing Civil Air Patrol

USAF Auxiliary

Building 3-108

Fort Indiantown Gap

Annville, Pennsylvania 17003


5/16

CADET OF THE YEAR 3

Cadet Second Lieutenant Matthew McHale, of Mount Pocono Composite

Squadron 207, the Northeast Pennsylvania Cadet of the Year 2006

C/2nd Lt Matthew McHale's outward appear-

ance shows his conviction and strong military

bearing. This young man aspires to a military

career, thus he takes what we do in CAP very

seriously. In fact, he is head and shoulders above

the rest: he has completed all his requirements for

GTL with the exception of his age, and now his

goal is to get all cadets GTM trained to be ready

for missions at any time. Until very recently, our

squadron had no trained cadets to be mission

ready. With his undying efforts we now have

most if not all cadets with GES a number ready

for GTM3 certification and a few on their way toGTM2. Also, he has completed his final tests to

become a private pilot. Cadet McHale has passed

his exams (FAA), successfully soloed, and

passed his final check ride. Cadet McHale

embodies CAP completely with his dedication to

search and rescue, his love of aerospace and of

course furthering the cadet programs. This past

summer he participated in a special mission to

build houses and teach carpentry in Cameroon,

Africa, over an 8 week period. Most of the work

will be done by hand under very remote condi-tions, all part of a Christian relief effort.

Cadet McHale had near perfect attendance for

the entire year only missing meetings during his mission in Africa and is always willing to go above and beyond th

call of duty. Every mission called, he is there. Any training we need to do, he is there. If we had more of his kind

CAP cadets would be the best there was, and our future for military commitment would be secured. C/2nd Lt

McHale has recently assumed command for the cadets and has implemented a new approach for recruiting. He

received permission from the local school board to set up recruiting events at all the districts schools. Cadet 2nd L

Matthew McHale is committed to expand CAPs influence in the community.

Mount Pocono Composite Squadron 207

On behalf of all the Keystone Wing Slip readers,Congratulations to Cadet Matthew McHale!

Squadron 1502 Cadets Operate Net Control StationAt 1900 hours every Wednesday, Cadet Ryan Musselman can be found in the Squadrons radio room. For month

he has been responsible for serving as the Operator In Charge of the Group One net that is held on the Laurel

Mountain Repeater. The net is a vital readiness test of the radio communications capability for the 23 counties we

serve. Semper Vigilans, (always vigilant), CAPs motto, is most displayed by our organizations communicators.

Keeping the troops in the field in touch with the base and providing the voice of Command is a key part of our

emergency service program. All members are encouraged to become radio qualified and participate in these efforts

- Lt Col Ed Flick, Deputy Commander for Seniors


6/16

The 519th Signal Company Says Thank You

Hello!

My name is First Sergeant William F. White and I just wanted to send a quick hello and

say THANKS! for the care package that you sent to the Soldiers in my Company. We are the

519th Signal Company at Camp Virginia, Kuwait. While life can be harsh here sometimes, we

appreciate the touch of home that you and other like you send to us. Your caring and support

mean a great deal to the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen (and Women), and Marines here.

Please accept our gratitude and best wishes for what you do on the home-front. I'mattaching a picture of our unit. The 519th Signal Company is part of the 54th Theater Signal

Battalion which provides communications support to the entire Southwest Asia theater of opera-

tions, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Qatar.

Very Respectfully,

1SG White

4


7/16

Unit 307 Supports Military Mothers & Friends

The Military Mothers and Friends, ship

approximately 150 huge cases of goodies at

Christmas and Easter to our military personnel.

I am proud to be a CAP member and to be a

part of this project, says Second Lieutenant,

Beatrice Gernert of Squadron 307.

The Civil Air Patrol cadets and seniors from

the 307 help to pack the goodie boxes, but unfor-

tunately, this year, they changed the date to pack

the Easter boxes during the time the 307 was

touring the Battleship New Jersey in Camden,

New Jersey. Fortunately, a one of the cadets did

not go along on the tour and he and his family

were able to help, so at least the CAP was repre-

sented again.The Military Mothers and Friends have

fund raisers to pay for postage. Most of the con-

tents are donated and what extra is not donated,

they purchase. It costs approximately $2500 for

just the postage - twice a year.

The next fund raiser is a Bingo at Millersville

VFW on April 22nd. Prizes are donated by busi-

nesses and etc. and it is always a great event. If

you know anyone interested in Bingo, please tellthem about it. Bingo starts at 2 p.m. Sunday and

there will be food available for purchase.

Photos taken in December of 2006, when the Lebano

VFW Cadet Squadron 307, helped The Military

Mothers and Friends with their Christmas boxes.

A FINAL SALUTE TO

OUR FELLOW COMRADES

Our deepest sympathies go out to the

families and friends of our fellow and for-

mer Civil Air Patrol members, who have

recently passed.

We salute; Parke D. Dicely and Merritt

E. Derr.


8/16

CAP SEARCHES FOR MISSING PERSON continued6

they made it through. In speaking with another volunteer search chief, he indicated to me, when the CAP goes

through, it is searched, said Chief Miller. The assistance I received from the CAP was great, he continued.

Chief Miller also noted that he was also helped by other search groups and the Pennsylvania State Police in

numerous ways, from their criminal investigators to their forensic science unit and their aircraft. The Luzerne

County Sheriffs department, with their blood hound, Nana, area businesses and hundreds of volunteers who were

Mr. Orbachs friends, or a friend of the family, or just good hearted people who live here in northeastern PA. Than

all of you and I know now that you are just a phone call away, said a grateful Chief Miller.Numerous CAP squadrons participated in this mission. Squadron representation; 307, 203, 239, 904, 207, 807,

805, 401 and 801.

Lieutenant Colonels Mike Kindness and Gary Metz, shared the duties of the OICs and the flight crew consiste

of Lieutenant Bill Story, Captain Donald Cramer and Captain Richard Baker.

- First Lieutenant, Linda A. Irwin, Editor - Pennsylvania Keystone Wing Slip

Command post with CAP, NESAR, and VRFR command personnel, all working together.

Editors Note

Cadet Glenn D. Koehler, Jr., a member of the Quakertown Composite Squadron 904, not only served as a

team member on this mission, but he also had the foresight and presence of mind by taking some of the best

working search and rescue photographs the Keystone Wing Slip has received. Thanks to Cadet Koehler, we areable to bring this mission story to life via his great photos.

"C/2d Lt Koehler has been instrumental at Squadron 904 for documenting squadron events with articles and

pictures over the years. He took an interest in Public Affairs from the beginning and has worked very hard to

maintain our squadron website, providing some amazing picture displays of everything from missions to special

trips to squadron training. As he has mastered his craft of photography, you can see that he really has learned

how to capture the best images that really tell the viewer a story. He has recently been selected to be the Group

PAO and has started a new website for that project as well. We are very grateful that he has been willing to shar

his time and talent with us as well as others in PAWG. Cadet Koehler's future goals include working profession-

ally with photography, which I have no doubt he will accomplish, said Captain Heather Sterner, Commander of

Squadron 904.


9/16


10/16

SQUADRON STORIES8

Pittsburgh Area Homeschool Program And CAP Becoming Working Partners

Saturday 17 March 2007 was to have been the start of a two-day combined staff working weekend at Fort

Indiantown Gap, but one last winter snow storm caused cancellation the training. This was not a problem for Golde

Triangle Composite Squadron 603 members heading to the GAP as this allowed more of their members to participa

in the annual Homeschool Seminar at South Hill Bible Chapel, McMurray, PA. At 0600 hrs Saturday morning,Squadron Commander Maj Bob Frost met members met at 603 headquarters on the 911th ARS, Pittsburgh, to remov

a large amount of snow and ice from the squadron van before safely departing for McMurray, PA.

Lt Suzanne Dicken, 603 Supply Officer and homeschool instructor for her son C/SSgt Sterling Cairns, coordinat

the program with church and local homeschool administrators. Squadron 603 has a large homeschool cadet compo-

nent and used the Saturday forum to better explain our Civil Air Patrol Program to potential cadets and their familie

Plans included the opening ceremony to feature 603s Color Guard composed of C/Capt Mike Bilz, C/2Lt Andrew

Gracey, C/SSgt Josh Deleuze, C/A1C Jessica, and C/A1C Michael Brown. Following the morning ceremony, a larg

number of homeschool vendor booths were set up in the South Hill Bible Chapel gymnasium. Squadron 603s boot

was well manned by cadets and senior members and was well stocked with fresh recruiting material from the PA Wi

and National Headquarters.

Senior members Maj Glenn Ward, Capt James McCarty, and Lt Bill Ellis worked hand-in-hand with cadets toexplain the various programs and answer questions regarding Civil Air Patrol membership. C/SSgt Ben Cooke,

C/SSgt Sterling Cairns, and C/Amn Eric Allen added their personal experiences to discussions on Aerospace, Moral

Leadership, Emergency Service and Cadet Programs with homeschool parents and students. A special thank you

was given to Mrs. Amanda Cowden, C/SSgt Cookes mother, and soon to be a new senior member with Squadron 6

Mrs. Cowden provided much of the recruiting table layout and dozens of fresh baked goodies for everyone to enjo

At the end of the day, each Squadron 603 member was in agreement that Civil Air Patrol had been well received

the Homeschool Seminar and that the day had been well spent encouraging the expanded participation of the home-

school program and its students in Civil Air Patrol.

- Story By: Maj Bob Frost - Photos By: Mrs. Amanda Cowden


11/16

WORLD WAR II RE-ENACTMENT 9

We are calling on all Civil Air Patrol members and non members to visit the Reading Municipa

Airport on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of June 2007 to witness a one of a kind history re-enactment.

For the past 17 years, Mid Atlantic Air Museum, (www.maam.org), has held a truly memorabl

WW II experience. Where else can you see, hear and yes smell, B-17s, PBYs, P-51 Mustangs

and other vintage aircraft flying over-head. Not to mention, ground displays in different encamp-ments, featuring Allied, Axis and the Home Front. If you listen closely, you will be able to hear re

enactors speaking in the native tongue of the character they are representing.

For the past 6 years Civil Air Patrols re-enactment Squadron 22, has been an active part of this

event. Each year we try to expand our encampment to inform the patrons about CAP's involvemen

during the war years. This year is no different! We will be operating out of a GP tent in the

Home Front area. As in the past, we will be a working base of operations but with a small

twist - we are excited to mention that we will have Bill Schell, CAP National Curator on hand wit

Ed Phipps, WW II Coastal Base 2, Rehoboth, Delaware pilot, (93 years young) and Roger Thiel,

CAP Coastal Base Historian. The icing on the cake will be two (YES TWO), Flying 1940 CAP

Coastal Patrol Aircraft!Mark your calender and set your coordinates for the Reading Municipal Airport, Reading,

Pennsylvania on the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd of June 2007.

Look for the CAP blue triangle with red prop flag flying under the Stars and Stripes!


12/16

SQUADRON NEWS10

SQUADRON 1006 FLY CAP MISSIONS EVERY SATURDAY

- 1Lt Glenn Eric Cuff

The cadets and senior members of Squadron 1006, fly Civil Air Patrol missions every Saturday afternoon.

How can that be? There is only one licensed pilot in the squadron!

The members of Squadron 1006 use the Microsoft Flight Simulators; 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004 and the newest -

Simulator X.

First Lieutenant Glenn Eric Cuff bought the Microsoft Simulator software to enhance his aerospace education

classes. And enhance it does.One of the flight simulators is entitled, Civil Air Patrol Search. With it, cadets and senior members alike can

fly a Maule 260c aircraft and fly on very difficult simulated missions. With a great deal of concentration and dete

mination, these missions can be mastered after several sessions.

This is awesome, exclaimed Cadet Captain Toya Williamson.

To date, the cadets have logged over 50 combined hours flying on this simulated mission.

LEGISLATIVE SQUADRON NEWSCongratulations and Welcome - to the new members of the Keystone

Legislative Squadron!

To date fifteen state senators and representatives joined the Pennsylvania

Wings Legislative Squadron. These new members joining with chartermembers such as Senators Orie, Robbins and Tartaglione, Kasunic,

Greenleaf and White as well as Representatives Grucela, Fairchild,

Solobay, Bastian, Frankel, Gingrich and others in both houses. We appreci-

ate the support received from all members and look forward to working

closely with these new officers. Over the next few weeks, we will be work-

ing to arrange a CAP day at the Capitol and a Squadron meeting to present

the new members with their membership and promotions. Returning

members will be presented with their renewed membership

cards.

Senator Jane Clare Orie receives her

Keystone Legislative Squadron membership

certificate from Group 1, Commander,

Lt Col Ron Tuman,.in August of 2005.


13/16

CADET ORIENTATION FLIGHTS 11


14/16

MORE CAP STORIES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS 12

PA CADET TO THE RESCUE

Recently, Squadron 603 members Major Tom Koedel, C/Capt Mike Bilz, and Major Robert Frost, attended the

11th Annual Emergency Responder Forum presented by State Senator Jane Orie in Cranberry Twp, PA. Senator

Orie's opening ceremony began about one-half hour ahead of schedule and was bordering on an almost disaster

when C/Capt Mike Bilz took individual initiative to "save the day" for her. When the Cranberry Township VFW

Post 879 marched to the front of the auditorium and presented the colors, Senator Orie failed to notice that the fea

tured National Anthem singer had not yet arrive and was not up on stage with her. ( The singer was to have beenMs. Casey Novak, a student from Lincoln Park School for The Performing Arts - also the school C/Capt Mike Bil

attends in Midland, PA ). As the state flag was lowered to honor the U.S. Flag, Mike looked around for his

friend Casey to make her appearance, but Casey was nowhere in sight. Mike sprang from his seat at the back of

the auditorium, walked calmly up on stage, had a quiet word with Senator Orie, and then he sang a perfect CAP

rendition of our National Anthem to the forum attendees. Following the anthem and without hesitation, Mike lead

the pledge of allegiance to our flag. He then walked calmly back to his seat as if nothing out of the ordinary had

taken place.

Because of Cadet Bilz CAP leadership training, he was able to this unexpected opportunity. When he knew

something was going wrong, he assessed the situation and without a word to anyone, took immediate action to cor

rect the situation. Senator Orie spoke to Cadet Bilz following the meeting to thank him and present him with a

gift. Major Koedel and Major Frost were able to talk with her also. They explained the connection with CadetBilz and his school and about Civil Air Patrol and the reason for being at the forum.

The forum was important to the many emergency folks representing Region 13. The guest speakers were:

Mr. James Powers, Col, U.S. Army (retired), Director, PA DHS

Mr. Edward Mann, State Fire Commissioner

Mr. Barry Albertson, President, Ambulance Association of PA

Mr. Robert Full, Chief, Allegheny County Emergency Management. ( also a JRC Task Force member )

Dr. Sam Stebbins, MD MPH, University of Pittsburgh Center. for Public Health, ( another JRC Task

Force member)

And Keynote Speaker: Mr. Glenn Cannon, Director-Response Division DHS/FEMA

- Major Bob Frost, Sq 603

PA WING WELCOMES NEW

WING ADMINISTRATOR

Pennsylvania Wing Civil Air Patrol recently

announced the employment of Michael Roberds as the

newest member to their employee team.

Mr. Roberds duties fall under the guidelines of

CAP Nationals nation-wide employment plan for

Wing Administrators to aid the volunteers and to help

the CAP state level to run smoothly.

A former resident of California, and after com-pleting a deployment with the National Guard, Mr.

Roberds moved to Pennsylvania in June of 2006. He is

currently a member of the Pennsylvania Army National

Guard. Mr. Roberds lives in Carlisle with his wife

Mary. He enjoys flying as a hobby and was a Senior

Member of the California CAP. I am looking forward

to joining the PA Wing. says Mike. If you would like

to contact Mr. Roberds, he can be reached by calling

the Pennsylvania Wing Headquarters at 717-861-2335.


15/16

ANNOUNCEMENTS 13


16/16

Pennsylvania Wing Civil Air PatrolHeadquarters, Building 3-108

Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, Pennsylvania, 17003

www.pawingcap.comTelephone 717-861-2335 Fax 717-861-2164

Pennsylvania Wing Volunteers Search for

missing man, Butler Township,

Drums, Pennsylvania.

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Pennsylvania Wing - Apr 2007