Arizona Wing • Civil Air Patrol

Volume 4 Issue 6 WingTips, October 2006

Inside this issue:

Arizona Wing
Colonel Bourgeois 2
moves up to South- Change of Command
west Region

Commander’s Desk 3
October 28, 2006
Chaplain’s Corner 4 Southwest Regional Conference
Command First
Sergeant’s Note
5
Dallas, TX
Maj Richard Laherty 6-7
“The Rocket Man”

Cadets support 8-11

2006 Goodyear

Verde Valley Cadet 12

receives Gen Ira
Eaker Award

Tribute - 13
Maj Jeff Ohman

Final Take Off 14

Colonel William Lynch assumes the AZ Wing Flag

of Command from the National Commander,
Editor: Maj Gen Antonio J. Pineda, as relinquishing
Capt J. Brandon Masangcay
Asst Director, Public Affairs Commander, Colonel Ernest Bourgeois looks on.
Submissions to:
wingtips@azwg.cap.gov
Page 2 WingTips, October 2006

Colonel Bourgeois
moves up to the
Southwest Region
Article by Lt Col Patricia Brower

Colonel Bourgeois has served the Civil Air Patrol well since he
joined in 1989. He was squadron commander of the Sedona
Squadron 205. In 1995, he moved to Hawaii and joined the Kauai
and the Maui Composite squadrons. He returned to Arizona in late
1996 and became the squadron commander of 205 again, and then
Group 2 Commander. In 1999, the islands called him back, until
2001 when he returned to the mainland and California where he
was once again a squadron commander. In 2003, Col. Bourgeois
returned to Arizona and became Chief of Staff under Col. Varljen.
In October 2005, Col. Bourgeois became the Wing Commander, but
now he is moving up again. He is moving up to the Southwest
Region as Director of Southern Border Operations . With all of his
experience and expertise, he will surely be an asset to our
Southwest Region.

At the Wing Staff meeting on 14 October, Colonel (elect) Bill

Lynch, Incoming Wing Commander, presented Col. Bourgeois a
plaque to show our appreciation for his outstanding dedication and
Volume 4, Issue 6 Page 3

Commander’s Desk
Colonel William Lynch
Arizona Wing Commander

I would like to start off by taking an opportunity to extend my thanks and well wishes to
Colonel Ernest Bourgeois, our former Wing Commander. It will be a challenge to try to fill
the void that he leaves, but I am sure that he will be able to do even bigger and better
things to help us continue to succeed in his new role at Southwest Region. He will be truly
missed, and I promise you that I will do my very best to continue to carry on and improve
upon his legacy in our quest to become recognized the best Wing in the nation.
If we all take a moment to look back at what we have accomplished in the past year with
all of the awards and accolades that have been bestowed upon us, it is simply amazing.
Between our Drill and Color Guard teams dominating the National Competition, to our
very successful Wing Conference and our impressive Border Patrol Training Missions, we
have a lot to be very proud of. We have had more of our cadets than ever before entering
our Armed Forces and Military Service Academies, stepping up to the plate to become our
future leaders. It is teamwork and dedication like this that will continue to propel us into
the very best the future has to offer.
It is both an honor and privilege to be able to serve all of you, in the hopes that we can
all work together as a team to improve both our state of readiness and best operational
practices. There are many opportunities to serve our community and our nation that we
are only just beginning to work towards, and the Wing Staff and I are here to help you
meet and exceed your expectations. We are working very hard with your Group
Commanders to ensure that we continue to streamline and properly prepare for, and
carry out our Air Force assigned missions with safety and professionalism always being of
utmost importance. I urge all of you to take some time to set some short and long term
goals so that your leadership team can try to help you strive for in the future.
Remember our Wing Motto, “Progress Through Leadership”, and how you can help to
apply that towards what you do and how you go about doing it. The sky isn’t the limit
anymore, and you make a difference in the lives of everyone you interact with. It’s up to
all of us to take a stand together and strive to become bigger and better, and think
outside the box when performing our duties. The challenges that await us must be met
head on, with the determination and resolve that we are known for in Arizona Wing.
Page 4 WingTips, October 2006

Chaplain’s Corner
Chaplain (Lt Col) Morris Courtright
Arizona Wing Chaplain

The end of this month Arizona Wing and Southwest Region will undergo the exchange
of the privilege that has befuddled Moses, challenged Churchill, and has driven some
to amazing achievement – Command.

We will say farewell to both our Wing and Region Commanders and greet our new
leaders, we ask your blessing on each of them. Both Col. Ernest Bourgeois and Col.
Tom Todd have served CAP well and deserve our congratulations and blessings.

Col. Bill Lynch and Col. Reggie Chitwood will be taking command of the wing and
region respectively and will be faced with the numerous tasks of working to continue
the outstanding records of our units and simultaneously solving the new problems
being brought to us by the slowly evolving change in the missions of CAP.

We who have served with old and will serve with the new must be united in our
efforts to help these new leaders as they assume the awesome mantle of command.
Some leaders are born, some are made, and some are self made. But in all cases
they are in the position described best by President Harry S. Truman many years ago
with the phrase; “The buck stops here”.

We ask the Lord, to inspire each of us to do our best each day and lead us to serve
our leaders with the energy, enthusiasm, and effectiveness they deserve. Remember
that our commanders and leaders are also volunteers just as we are. May each of us
put forth that extra effort to help our new leaders make the transition smooth and
seamless in the weeks and months ahead.
Volume 4, Issue 6 Page 5

Command First Sergeant

Notes
By SMSgt Del Rubi,
AZ Wing Command First Sergeant

As Air Force Auxiliary members assigned to the Arizona Wing Civil Air Patrol, we some-
times forget that our volunteerism can be considered a “calling”. We joined this
volunteer organization for many reasons such as; working with cadets, search and
rescue, flying, homeland security and serving our State and Nation. Our purpose or
calling should motivate us to be the best we can be in our chosen specialty, and when
we are the “best”, we are known as professionals by others.

What is a professional? Our Air Force defines a professional in several ways. First, a
professional is one who is dedicated to a vocation or to the mission. Next, a
professional is a person who is identified with a calling requiring ethical behavior,
commitment to public service, and intense preparation. Third, a professional is one
who maintains a high standard of personal and professional achievement and
conduct. And lastly, a professional is one who is devoted to the concept of service,
rather than personal gain. Professionals lead the way and make things happen for the
betterment of our organization and for all our AF Auxiliary comrades!
Page 6 WingTips, October 2006
 Volume 4, Issue 6 Page 7

Major Richard Laherty

“The Rocket Man”
Article and Photos by:
Capt Allan Pearlstein, Sq. 305 PAO

"The task of the excellent teacher is to stimulate 'apparently ordinary' people to unusual ef-
fort. The tough problem is not in identifying winners: it is in making winners out of ordinary
people." (K. Patricia Cross, contemporary author). Since May 1997 when Major Richard
Laherty transferred to the AZ Wing, the Aerospace Education and Emergency Services
programs in Squadron 305 and throughout AZ Wing have grown by leaps and bounds, as a
result of his direction and teaching.

Currently serving as the AE Officer at Squadron 305, Major Laherty is mentoring cadets in the
model rocketry program, and teaching the AE and ES programs to the cadets and senior
officers. His years of dedication to the AE program earned Squadron 305 the Aerospace
Excellence Program certificate from National Headquarters three consecutive years.

In addition to the exemplary service at Squadron 305, Major Laherty previously served as the
AZ Wing ES Training Officer and the Deputy Chief of Staff of Training in which he oversaw
senior officer and ES training in the Wing. He was instrumental in successfully implementing
the new AZ Wing ES program policy in which the trainee now has to demonstrate
competence in various skills and tasks to the skills evaluator in order to become qualified.

Major Laherty has been a cadet orientation pilot, holds the rating of mission pilot, served as
the IC (level 2) on several SAREX's and RedCAP missions, is an Urban DF and Ground
team member, and is a skills evaluator. Major Laherty received the Meritorious Service Award
for his work at mission base at an USAF Evaluated SAREX in 2003, received several
Commanders Commendation awards, the Yeager AE Achievement Award, the coveted A.
Scott Crossfield Award, and holds a Master Rating in the AE Specialty track.

Known for his dedication to the rocketry program, Major Laherty has participated in several
rocket launches at the squadron level, and has participated in the G. Harry Stein Memorial
Launch which is held in Rainbow Valley each October. For the upcoming year, Major
Laherty is planning to apply for grants from the AE Excellence program and the Air Force
Association for the benefit of funding the cadet rocketry program. Beginning in October 2006,
Major Laherty began teaching and directing instruction of an advanced rocketry program in
which model rocketry instruction continues beyond the requirements for rocketry
badge. "Learning is taken one step further in which the cadets design and build their own
rockets versus building rockets from a kit. It gets the cadets more into the science and
engineering of rocketry. My goal is to see the cadets go on to study and become rocket
engineers", Major Laherty told me.

The AZ Wing has benefited from the teachings of Major Laherty, and will continue to grow
due to his dedication and involvement in the ES and AE programs.
Page 8 WingTips, October 2006

Cadets Support the

2006 Goodyear Balloon & Air Show
20 - 23 October
Article & Photos by Capt J. Brandon Masangcay
Asst. Director, Public Affairs

Photo courtesy of Blue Angels

Public Affairs
Page 9 WingTips, October 2006

Cadets from various squadrons from all over Arizona came to support the 2006
Goodyear Balloon & Air Show. Cadets from outside the Phoenix Metro area set
up an encampment area.

The air show consisted of different aircraft both civilian and military with the
Navy Blue Angels Demonstration Team as the main event flying the F-18 Tom-
cat.

Cadets manned six different concession stands that sold pretzels, churros,
smoothies, and Dove ice cream bars. Two chair rental booths were also
manned by cadets.

C/Capt Stephen Stoller, the cadet commander and C/1Lt Justin Macari of the
Frank Luke Cadet Squadron 356, the deputy commander demonstrated out-
standing leadership and professionalism rotating teams of cadets to man sta-
tions and assist when help was needed. The cadets work hard and long hours
and were always up to the task!!

The event was organized by 1Lt Robert Boykin and Capt Martin Maxwell of the
Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302. Their leadership ensured the event was
supported by the cadets where needed.
Volume 4, Issue 6 Page 10
Page 11 WingTips, October 2006
Volume 4, Issue 6 Page 12

Verde Valley Composite Squadron 205

Cadet Receives
Gen. Ira Eaker Award
Article by Lt Col Mike Sue, VVCS 205 PAO

Please join me in congratulating Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Max Weaver of the

Verde Valley Composite Squadron 205. Cadet Weaver has recently been awarded
the General Ira Eaker Award, making him only the 1,728th cadet to achieve this
distinguished award since the program began in 1964.

Cadet Weaver has served as the Squadron 205 Cadet Commander, and AZ Wing
Honor Guard Commander, winning 1st Place in the National Cadet Competition
for color guard for Arizona Wing. He has earned the Southwest Region Brewer
Award for Aerospace Education. Cadet Weaver has received three commendations
for integrity and excellent service from the Arizona Wing Commanders. In
addition to the General Ira Eaker Award, he has also received the Wright Broth-
ers, Billy Mitchell and Amelia Earhart Awards and has mentored young people in
numerous ways.

Cadet Weaver is a member of the Wesleyan Church Youth Group and the
Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He has earned his Varsity Letter in baseball,
soccer and track & field.

Cadet Max Weaver is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy Summer
Science Seminar 2006; he also graduated from the American Legion 2006 Boy's
State representing Sedona Red Rock High School.

Cadet Weaver has received acceptances from West Point, Annapolis, and the US
Air Force Academy, the latter being his institution of choice.
Page 13 WingTips, October 2006

Tribute to
Major Jeff Ohman
Article by
Capt Martin Gerhard, DCC,
Falcon Field Composite Sqdrn 305

Last April our Squadron lost one of its long time members unexpectedly. Major Jeff
Ohman, an Air Force reservist, and long time member of CAP Squadron 305, died
suddenly at age 41. He was very active with our cadet program, spending countless
hours teaching aerospace education and leadership skills. He was also a Tempe Police
Officer and a pilot.

As an avid private pilot, he had purchased a Cessna 150 just before his passing. His
airplane was his pride and joy, and he flew it often to sharpen his flying skills and to
prepare for additional pilot ratings. In his honor, two CAP members of Squadron 305
have founded the Major Jeff Ohman Memorial Flight Foundation, with the mission of
providing aviation education to America's youth. With concurrence of the Ohman
Family, we have purchased his aircraft to fulfill this mission.

The airplane had been sitting on the ramp at the Chandler Municipal Airport for over
one year and was in dire need of maintenance. Together with volunteer mechanics
provided to us generously by Chandler Air Service, Captain's Hoesel and Gerhard, and
former Army helicopter Mechanic Lt. Winters, of Squadron 305, participated in an
owner assisted annual inspection, and after about a month's worth of work were able to
get Major Ohman's aircraft in airworthy condition. Several of our cadets came out to
lend a hand as well, and learned a thing or two about aircraft maintenance. After 10+
hours of test flying, we gave our first introductory airplane rides to CAP cadets this
week, under the EAA Young Eagles program. Once orientation flight funds are available
again, we plan to provide official Cadet Orientation flights as well.

We are thrilled to be able to continue the work of Major Ohman, with his very own
aircraft no less! Currently we are working with the IRS to become a tax exempt
organization, much like CAP. We hope to have this approval by the end of the
month. The C150 is the perfect platform to perform this mission, as it is relatively
inexpensive to operate, a great instructional airplane for first time student pilots, and a
great hands on ground school tool for learning engines and systems. Any young person
who has an interest in flying will be able to receive an introduction to aviation via the
Ohman Memorial Flight Foundation, whether it is a CAP Cadet, or another young man or
woman who dreams of flight.

Keep an eye out for a C150 with the call sign N305MJ (Sqdrn 305 Major Jeff) and help us
remember a fellow CAP volunteer!
Volume 4, Issue 6 Page 14

The Final Takeoff

In Remembrance of our fellow members whom have been

called on their final mission.
Lt Col Andrew “Andy” Boquet of the Prescott Squadron 206, Civil Air Patrol (CAP),
died Wednesday, October 18th in a plane crash near Chino Valley, Arizona. Col Boquet
was a passenger in a twin-engine Piper Cheyenne on a flight to photograph an old Soviet
MiG-21.
Both aircraft departed Prescott’s Ernest Love Field at about 1:30 PM and were
roughly 16 miles northeast when the MiG pilot told the Cheyenne pilot that he thought
there was a problem with the MiG’s landing gear door and asked him to fly underneath
to take a look. That was the last the MiG pilot saw or heard from the other aircraft.
When the MiG-21 returned to Love Field an inspection revealed no damage to the
aircraft. The charred remains of the Piper Cheyenne were located around 3:00 PM in a
remote area one mile south and two miles west of Perkinsville Ranch. The pilot and
three other passengers also died in the crash. National Transportation Safety Board
investigators are at the scene, but have not yet released a probable cause of the
mishap.
Colonel Boquet joined the Prescott Squadron in 2004 and worked extensively with
the cadets. He implemented a rocketry program and conducted two weekend rocket
shoots at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott campus. In 2005 Andy earned
the Aerospace Education Yeager Award and received a Commander’s Commendation.
Prior to joining the CAP, he retired as a pilot/captain from Southwest Airlines in March
of 2004 at the mandatory retirement age of 60.
Andy was a graduate of Notre Dame University in 1968 and was commissioned as a
2/Lt in the United States Marine Corp (USMC) where he served as a pilot for 23 years
flying F4 Phantom, TA4J Skyhawk, and AV8A Harrier aircraft. He retired from active
duty in 1981 and continued serving in the USMC reserves until 1991.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that you make a donation in his name
to the St. Vincent DePaul Society.