Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
This image shows just a few of the many CAP aircraft that took part in the air search for the missing C -182.
The wind chill factor that day was near 20 degrees below zero (F). Photo: Capt Alan Matson
The Civil Air Patrol is still feeling it's way as our involvement with
Homeland Security continues to grow. We in MN Wing have spent this
past year gearing up by increasing our reconnaissance capabilities.
With the addition of the Slow Scan imaging and digital cameras we have the equipment to
play a much larger role. Now we must turn to the training so this equipment can be used in
the most effective ways. As we plan our spring and summer training activities let's plan on
the many ways this equipment can be used.
We have been involved in major searches recently. The way our membership responded
was outstanding. To be able to put fifteen aircraft, crews, and a management team in the
search area is a testament to your dedication. This, being done in the middle of the week by
taking time off from your employment deserves recognition.
The dedication of the Civil Air Patrol member is something to talk about. Volunteering their
time and talents to their communities. But Civil Air Patrol is not just about our search and
locate capabilities, it is also about mentoring the youth that join this dynamic organization.
In this day of computers and cell phones let us not forget about our radios. The simple fact is
that many of our searches are more than thirty miles from an interstate highway and therefore
out of cell range. Our participation in the wing nets is down therefore we are making an effort
to have more radio traffic. I have challenged Wing Staff to use more radio
messages.
Finally we are gearing up for our annual Wing Conference at Breezy Point. We received an
outstanding number of award nominations this year. Thank you to all that nominated
someone. This is one way we can recognize our
members.
I wish there was a way to give each and everyone of you an award for the service you give to
the Civil Air Patrol programs. I may not be able to do that, but I can thank each and everyone
of you. As we continue to fulfill the missions of the Civil Air Patrol, let's always remember we
make a difference.
The Incident Commander was Lt Col Stan Kegel, MN Wing Director of ES. Lt Col Bernie
Knutson was Planning Section Chief; and the Air Operations Branch Director was Capt. Chet
Wilberg, Commander of Hutchinson Composite Squadron.
Forty Civil Air Patrol members and guests were at the November 29, 2003 Duluth Squadron
Awards Dinner at the West Duluth American Legion Post #71.
Brig. Gen. Raymond Klosowski, MN Air National Guard (Ret) presented the highest CAP
Cadet Award, the Carl A. Spaatz Award, to Cadet Lt. Col. Paul Dannenbring of Saginaw, MN.
C/Col. Dannenbring attends University of North Dakota and is the son of Craig Dannenbring
of Saginaw, MN
Capt Freseman was also nominated for the MN Wing Senior Member of the Year Award. He
presented the Unit Commanders Commendation Award to Capt. Gary LeMasters, Unit
Deputy Commander for Seniors and unit Finance Officer.
Lt Col. Bischoff reviewed the unit personnel promotions and accomplishments for the past
year, and recognized other senior members for their contributions to the unit and MN Wing
Civil Air Patrol.
C/ Col Neil Merhotra receives the Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award from Retired Maj Gen Doyle Larson at the North
Hennepin Squadron’s Awards Banquet.
Neil Mehrotra is the most recent North Hennepin Squadron cadet to be eligible for the highly coveted
Spaatz Award. C/ Col. Mehrotra is currently studying at Princeton University majoring in Economics.
The Award was presented at the North Hennepin Holiday Awards Banquet on December 16, 2003.
Color Guards from 6 squadrons competed in events designed to test their knowledge of the CAP
Cadet Program, drill and ceremonies, personal appearance and physical fitness.
The overall winner was the Color Guard representing Anoka County Composite Squadron. They
also won the Standard Drill and Uniform Inspection parts of the competition.
Participating Squadrons were, Anoka County Composite, Hutchinson Composite, North Hennepin
Composite, St. Croix Composite, St. Paul Composite and Valley Cadet.
Anoka County Composite Squadron’s Color Guard with their awards from the 2004 Minnesota Cadet
Competition. From left to right: C/MSgt Sarah Anderson, Color Bearer, Lt Col Don Mikitta, Director of Cadet
Programs, C/MSgt Theodore Persing, Color Guard Commander, C/MSgt John Lavalle, Team Alternate,
(Kneeling) C/SSgt Joanna Griner, Color Guard, C/TSgt Mike Kenny, Color Guard and Lt Col Mike Moen, Project
Officer. Photo: MNWG/PA
C/MSgt Sarah Anderson of Anoka County Composite Squadron earned the “Academic Excellence
Award” for achieving the high score on the written test by answering 45 out of 50 questions correctly.
“The competition leads to a National Cadet Competition in July at Wright Patterson AFB Ohio. Anoka
and North Hennepin cadets have been locked in a seesaw battle this past decade, Anoka’s team this
year has an outstanding chance to exhibit the results of great leadership training the have
experienced these past few years.” said Lt Col Don Mikitta, Minnesota Wing’s Director of Cadet
Programs.
The Anoka County Squadron’s Color Guard will represent Minnesota Wing at the North Central
Region’s Cadet Competition to be held at the Kansas Wing HQ in Salina, KS on March 20th 2004.
More images and team scores can be seen at the Minnesota Wing Website:
www.mnwg.cap.gov/pa/specials/2004/mncg_04
In January, Minnesota Wing and the Minnesota Division of Homeland Security and Emergency
Management sponsored a 5-day Inland SAR Planning Course. This course, conducted by the
National Search and Rescue School, is a comprehensive, graduate-level look at inland search theory
and its application to land and air searches for missing persons and aircraft. The course is directed
toward SAR leaders in federal, state, and local emergency services and law enforcement, as well as
Civil Air Patrol, international, and volunteer SAR agencies -- those few people who are responsible for
the planning and overall conduct of inland search missions – to enhance SAR education and to foster
a cooperative SAR network in our country.
Those attending the training from squadrons within Minnesota Wing Civil Air Patrol are: Capt. Don
Dalton, Capt. John Huber, Capt. Mark McCormick, Lt Col. Nick Modders, and Capt. Don Sorenson.
Attending from USAF/North Central Region were: Lt Col. Larry Brockshus, Maj. Michael Pederson,
Maj. Erik Webster, and Minnesota State Director Bill Willis.
The Inland SAR course consists of classroom lessons and practical, tabletop exercises, with
emphasis on the planning necessary for effective area-type searching during an extended search
using Probability of Success (POS), to predictively allocate limited resources to their best effect ? in
essence, what to do after the hasty search and specialty resources have not found the missing
person. Aiming to "find the objective fast," the course centers on tools to help SAR decision makers
determine where to search, how to divide an area between limited search resources, and how to craft
the overall search effort to gain the best increases in likelihood of success at each step. Additional
topics included search area development, effort allocation, an overview of ICS, the federal role in
SAR, and related subjects.
The National Search and Rescue School is operated jointly by the US Air Force and the US Coast
Guard at the USCG Training Center, Yorktown, Virginia. The school provides two search and rescue
planning courses, for the maritime and inland environments. Several times per year, the school offers
classes held around the country.
Online Training Resources Viking had the most completions - 14 for a total
of 47.4% of their Senior Members.
Help Members Achieve North Hennepin had 8 for a total of 100% of
their Senior Members.
Flight Proficiency North Star Sq had 7 for a total of 84.2% of their
Senior Members.
You may not be aware of several online Valley Sq had 5 for a total of 21.4% of their
training resources that are available to you as Senior Members.
a CAP ES Member. These resources are on
the Operations Training web page and can be The Yeager Award can be earned by Senior
accessed from the CAP website or directly at Members who complete the study (either
http://ntc.cap.af.mil/ops/dot/. Here are individually or as part of a group activity) of
examples of some of the courses that are “Aerospace: The Journey of Flight” text and
available: pass an examination. If you are interested in
earning this award contact your unit’s
• CAPF 5 Course (developed for check pilots, Aerospace Officer or you can contact me at
instructor pilots, and all pilots preparing for a cst@mnwg.cap.gov
check ride)
• Satellite Digital Imaging System Training
The Executive Staff of the 6th Cadet Training Group meets at Flemming Field to plan the 2004 Cadet
Encampment. Pictured Left to Right: C/2d Lt Erica Hagen, Training Squadron Commander, C/2d Lt
Amy Her, Training Squadron Commander, C/1st Lt Andrew Atkins, Group Executive Officer, C/2d Lt
Roger Braun, Group Leadership Officer, C/Lt Col Aaron Scicluna, Group Commander, C/Major Mark
Pomerleau, Deputy Group Commander
The 6th Cadet Training Group is the cadet led organization that conducts the annual Minnesota Wing
Cadet Encampment. For more information on this year’s encampment please go to their website:
http://www.mnwg.cap.gov/cp/6ctg/
WingTips
Minnesota Wing, Civil Air Patrol-US Air Force Auxiliary
P.O. Box 11230, St. Paul, MN 55111
Or on the Web at: www.mnwg.cap.gov/wingtips
Wingtips is published monthly and distributed to each household of Minnesota Wing Members. Deadline for submissions: 3rd Monday of the Month. The
views expressed either written or implied are not necessarily those of the U.S. Air Force or the Civil Air Patrol.
Wing Commander: Col. Dale Hoium PAO: 1st Lt Al Pabon