OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF MINNESOTA WING U.S. CIVIL AIR PATROL DEC JAN 2012 WINGTIPS

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1 WWA growing in MNWG The Wreaths Across America tribute that occurs across the nation each year got its start at Arlington National Cemetery 20 years ago with the placing of 5,000 wreaths from Morrell Worcester of Worcester Wreath Co. In 2006 Worcester and his family formed WAA as a nonprofit initiative to recognize the courage and sacrifices of U.S. veterans. This year six MNWG units sold wreaths and 10 units were represented at WAA ceremonies in several locations. The 2012 goal is 100 percent unit participation, and planning is already underway. Maj. Richard Sprouse composed the article below. Shown here are but a few of the photographs from the gallery Sprouse posted to Facebook. The story was featured in Volunteer Now online. WINGTIPS By Maj. Richard Sprouse Dec. 13, 2011 Each time Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Holmes of the Crow Wing Squadron of the Minnesota Wing of the Civil Air Patrol laid a wreath on a veteran s grave, she took a couple of steps back and saluted. For a moment, she paused, looking at the person s rank and the year they died. That moment told Holmes a little about Master Sgt. Gilbert Stoffel, a U.S. Air Force veteran who died in Holmes actions told Mary Stoffel of Brainerd a lot about the Civil Air Patrol. Dad proudly served over 20 years in the Air Force during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He would have been honored by this event and the respect shown to every veteran buried here, Stoffel said. Fallen but not forgotten Cadet members of the St. Cloud Squadron make a final salute to the 4,000 individuals interred at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Camp Ripley. Central Minnesota squadrons honor the fallen during Wreaths Across America Stoffel, who uses a cane to get around, was escorted to her father s grave by Cadet Holmes. I cried when she stood back and saluted his grave, Stoffel said. All I could think of was the fact that he s been gone 35 years, he was a good dad and this was the first time I had ever heard about Wreaths Across America. I wish I had known about this before because I would have definitely donated to such a worthy cause. But many central Minnesotans were aware of the tradition that began 20 years ago at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia thanks to local PAGE 1

2 Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Holmes of the Minnesota Wing s Crow Wing Squadron salutes a fa#en soldier during the Wreaths Across America observation at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Fa#s. volunteers, service/civic organizations and the Crow Wing and St. Cloud squadrons of the Civil Air Patrol. The group s combined for a record 3,000 wreath sponsorships this year. That compares to 1,500 wreaths placed last year and five wreaths placed at the cemetery in There are over 4,000 individuals buried at the cemetery. Cemetery director Dave Swantek thanked the nearly 300 people who turned out for the event and praised their initiative. Your efforts will have a perpetual impact on all we have served and will serve in future years. Your dedication and hard work will not soon be forgotten by myself, and more importantly, by all the families of the heroes we serve here, Swantek said. The St. Cloud Squadron collected nearly 350 wreaths for the event led by Cadet Staff Sgt. Matt Gruber who gathered 95 sponsors. He spearheaded last year s effort with 66 wreaths and once again bypassed social media to earn his sponsorships the old-fashioned way. I knocked on doors in my neighborhood, asked family and friends, and even got people where I go to school to buy a wreath. When I explained that the wreaths would be placed on the graves of veterans they were more than happy to be a sponsor, Gruber said. The wreaths were quickly placed under sunny skies and an incredible Minnesota winter balmy 36 degrees making for lots of good feelings all around. I felt an obligation to be out here honoring the veterans, Holmes said. I d like knowing my service to my country and my memory was not forgotten. Maj. Pat Cruze, St. Cloud Squadron commander and U.S. Air Force veteran, said he heard many positive comments about the respect and dignity shown to family members by Civil Air Patrol members. And as Cruze departed the cemetery he looked over his shoulder and said, Being a veteran, it hits you in the heart and one is reminded of just how precious life is and that freedom is not free. C/SSgt. Matt Gruber of the St. Cloud Squadron gathered 95 sponsors for Wreaths Across America. They were among the 3,000 wreaths placed during Wreaths Across America event at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Camp Ripley. PAGE 2

3 COMMANDER S CALL Minnesota Wing Members: Welcome to Wing Tips, the monthly newsletter now edited by our new Wing Public Affairs Officer Captain Joe Bradfield. Thanks to Capt. Bradfield for reinstating this important communications method for our members. I know members have missed this publication and will look forward to future editions. I also know that he will appreciate receiving photos and stories from you in the field where all the action is. Your Wing and Command Staff are here to support your squadron operations. Minnesota Wing is now just over 1,400 members the largest Wing in the North Central Region. Through our chain-of-command system, we can efficiently and effectively provide leadership for all cadets and senior members. But it comes down to one-on-one communications, preferably face-to-face to really make it all happen. Jerry Rosendahl, Col, CAP Commander MN Wing My 3 Rules, borrowed from former Wing Commander Colonel Steve Miller, are under my signature block. I ask everyone to live by these rules. My overarching goal is Continuous improvement through goal-setting and accountability. Every member of this Wing plays a huge role in our collective success. Thanks for all you do for your unit and community. SPROUSE NOMINATED FOR NATIONAL PAO AWARD For many Minnesota Wing members, it s long past due that Maj. Richard Sprouse gets his turn in front of the camera, so generously having served CAP from behind it. Sprouse has received multiple recommendations Maj. Richard Sprouse, National from Minnesota Wing Public Affairs Award candidate. to be Commander Rosendahl s nomination for the prestigious Col Robert Payton National Public Affairs Officer Award. Rosendahl had little trouble selecting the ubiquitous public affairs officer due to a peerless service record. He forwarded Sprouse as his nomination to North Central Region s Commander as a regional candidate for the national award. Sprouse joined Civil Air Patrol in 2006 and concurrently serves as both his squadron s and his group s public affairs officer. Group 2 presented a two-page list of Sprouse s achievements in its nomination of the senior. These are just a few of the listed qualifications: Submitted 122 news releases with photos to CAP Volunteer Now 11 featured stories/photos in CAP Volunteer magazine Publication in 17 editions of Minnesota Wingtips Publication in 30 editions of NCR News News releases / photos in 59 editions of the St. Cloud Times, the 5th largest daily paper in MN Serving as MIO in 10 actual missions, 18 training missions and 3 USAF eval SAREXs Serving as MIO instructor multiple times 3 times contributing to CAPNHQ s annual report to Congress PAO at 5 MNWG Encampments, 5 Ground Team Academies, 4 Wing Conferences, 3 Flight Academies, 5 St. Cloud lock-ins Good luck, Maj. Sprouse! We re rooting for you! PAGE 3

4 ES EMERGENCY SERVICES ANOKA SQN PROVIDES PLAN, PLANE, 'VICTIMS' FOR AIR-CRASH EXERCISE By 2nd Lt. Joel Langenfeld and Capt. George Supan, Anoka County Composite Squadron MINNESOTA The Anoka County Composite Squadron supplied not only the aircraft and the simulated victims but also the initiative for an aircrash exercise staged at Cambridge Municipal Airport with personnel from the Cambridge Fire Department, Isanti County Sheriff s Department, and Allina Hospitals. The scenario featured a small aircraft down at the airfield with several injuries reported. Anoka County squadron s emergency services team of officers and cadets were the first unit to reach the scene. The team secured the site and turned over command to the Cambridge firefighters as they arrived. As part of the exercise Lt. Col. Kevin Dunlevy, pilot of the CAP Cessna, briefed the responders on the aircraft s basic structure, fuel system and peculiar hazards that might be encountered. For the next 90 minutes, several emergency medical service teams practiced extracting cadets portraying victims with injuries from minor to severe from the aircraft. The exercise was conceived by 1st Lts. David McAuliffe and Jim Schilling, the squadron s emergency service officers, who were looking to conduct an exercise exceeding a routine emergency locator transmitter search. When McAuliffe, an emergency services chaplain in the area, contacted Cambridge Fire Department officials to ask if they would like to respond to a simulated plane crash as part of their monthly training, they welcomed the opportunity in light of the department s limited experience with small aircraft. He also approached the Allina Hospitals and the county sheriff s department to participate in the exercise. Those officials also recognized the value of an opportunity to gain some familiarity with small aircraft as well as to work with the other organizations. It s a good training for all of us, so we can all understand a little better how we would operate and we would know how they operate, said Bill Griep of the Isanti County Sheriff s Safety and Rescue division. McAuliffe joined all involved in pronouncing the training quite valuable and an overall success. This was a great way for CAP to work with first responders in our area, he said. Most have had a very limited amount of information about CAP, so this was a great way for them to get to know us and likewise. PAGE 4

5 CP CADET PROGRAMS 130thʼs flight program thrives on team commitment O-rides and flight training Of the 49 cadets in Minnesota Wing s 130 th Composite Squadron, 31 have received their orientation flights, many within the first few weeks of joining. Four obtained their private pilot licenses last year and six are already in training for them currently. Ask Maj. Paul Van Brunt what makes a CAP flying program such as the 130 th s so successful, and you ll likely get a recipe whose main ingredient is commitment. It s commitment by the staff and the students, said Van Brunt. We all are serious about what we do, and it shows in our flight time. Van Brunt, who is a flight instructor at the 130 th, wasn t just talking about a person or cadre in particular. I mean commitment from all the people that make this program a success: all the cadets and all the senior members that show up every week to do the tasks that need to be done. It s also the parents that allow their kids to be with us for the time we need each week. In general at the 130 th something having to do with flight training is taking place seven days a week Above: 3. Cadets AirmanTanner Knight and Cadet Airmen Nick DeCook on their first flights Le': Cadet Airmen Kayla Frandrup, her first solo flight. PAGE 5

6 (weather permitting), which involves more than 20 percent of the squadron s cadet and senior personnel. The CFI described the high level of involvement that a CAP flying program requires as being no different from anything else worthwhile in life. He explained: The system we use at the 130 th squadron Capt. Tom Fitzhenry, Commander, and Maj. Paul Van Brunt, Deputy Commander, MN 130. could have been taken from the pages of Business Management 101 or How to Operate a Flight School. If you do not love what you do and are not committed to it you cannot and will not be successful at it. From instructors to commanders and orientation pilots, all of us see our roles as a job we need to succeed at and love to do. Van Brunt gave top credit to the squadron s commander, Capt. Fitzhenry. He backs the flight training and the orientation ride program. He takes pride in what his staff does and accomplishes. He supports us for instance, by making the necessary connections with wing maintenance to make sure our planes get moved around and are properly cared for. That allows the pilots to have a plane whenever it s needed, helping students complete their flight training in a timely manner. This is extremely important for running a successful flight training class. Next on Van Brunt s list is the orientation pilot, Capt. Alwin. He makes sure that the cadets get the chance to fly as soon as possible to generate interest in flying, as well as learn the benefits that go with it. He gets them going on their first flights and lets them experience the joys of flying a plane and taking the controls. Alvin has given cadets hundreds of flights in his tenure as an orientation pilot, averaging about 100 hours a year. On many of these flights other cadets come along in the back seat as Form 99 rides. Together these orientation rides are a fundamental component of the cadet aerospace education program, serving as a real-life practical classroom demonstrating the principles of flight. The 130 th is keenly aware that being in and around aircraft is one of the most fundamental reasons cadets join Civil Air Patrol, distinguishing it from any other youth service organization. Van Brunt said his own role in the flying program was highly rewarding: I get the chance to let cadets fly their first flight on their own, and it s fun doing it. I explain to them all the things that this can do for them in life, a lot of it coming from the discipline that it take to be a pilot. His role, he said, is that of a mentor, guiding cadets through the program. It s about being there for them when they need help or encouragement. This support includes celebrating with them when they solo or pass a check ride and encouraging them Cadet Sergeant Alex Byland poses with Maj. Paul Van Brunt instructor a'er passing his private license. PAGE 6

7 Cadet Airmen Luke Hubers refuels a'er his first solo flight. to stay in touch as friends after the program. I believe being in the Civil Air Patrol changes their lives. If they are involved and take advantage of what it has to offer them, the experience will be rewarding for years to come. Bottom line, Van Brunt said, the flight program takes commitment and time from dedicated leaders. We leaders are there to make all this happen. We are not there to hang out or to find someone to get free flying hours from or to quit when things get hard. For us it is about giving to others and helping others to obtain their dreams in life. We are giving a gift to others and that is the greatest reward that we can, our time and experience. MNWG raises quality cadet unit award to 7 In 2010 North Hennepin was the only Minnesota squadron to receive a Quality Cadet Unit Award saw that number jump seven-fold. Nationally only 207 units reached the rigorous program goals to earn the distinction. The 2011 Quality Cadet Units for Minnesota Wing are MN 017 North Hennepin Composite Squadron MN 021 Anoka County Composite Squadron MN 030 Viking Composite Squadron MN 042 Saint Paul Composite Squadron MN 047 Southeast Minnesota Composite Squadron MN 116 St. Cloud Composite Squadron MN 122 St. Croix Composite Squadron All cadet and composite squadrons and flights, having a minimum of 10 cadets, are eligible. The award criteria are entirely objective. For 2012, any squadron meeting at least five of the nine criteria listed by 31 December of the preceding year, shall qualify: 1. Adult Leadership: Unit has at least 3 Training Leaders of Cadets graduates on its roster* 2. Aerospace: Unit earned the Aerospace Excellence Award (AEX) during previous year 3. Cadet Achievement: 40% of cadets on roster have attained the * 4. DDR Participation: 20% of cadets on roster have completed DDRx or unit participated in RRLA* 5. Encampment: 50% of cadets on roster have completed encampment 6. Enrollment: Unit has at least 35 cadets listed on its roster 7. Growth: Unit s cadet roster increased by 10%, or 10 cadets during previous year 8. Orientation Flights: 60% of cadets on roster have participated in at least 1 flight 9. Retention: Unit retained 40% of first year cadets during previous year Visit to view the complete 2011 list of winners. PAGE 7

8 MNWG cadets attend Kansas Encampment By Bob Johnson Lt. Col., CAP Six Minnesota cadets attended Kansas wing s winter encampment in Salina, Kan. Activities included KC-135 and Blackhawk rides as well as well as marksmanship award qualification. Attending from Red Wing Squadron were Cadet Benjamin Bolt, Cadet Matthew Delk, Cadet Brendan Kelly and Cadet Jason Travis. Also attending were Cadet Vincent Dimmen of St. Paul Squadron and Cadet Keegan Erwin from Worthington Squadron. Cadet Delk was named outstanding Honor Cadet of the encampment. Cadet Dimmen was named Honor Cadet of his flight. Several Kansas Wing staff and Kansas Wing Commander said all six cadets represented Minnesota well and can be proud of their accomplishments. This was probably the largest encampment in the history of North Central region, with 248 attendees. All CAP regions were represented at the event, with cadets in attendance from New York to California. SWARM requests CAP representation At a December meeting of the Air Force Association, SWARM sales associate Lauren Uecker presented a request for CAP representation at homes games. The request is an opportunity for unit color guard squads post the colors or for vocalists to lead the Star Spangled Banner. The Minnesota SWARM lacrosse games are held at the Excel Energy Center in St Paul. See schedule below. To learn if spots are still available, please contact Lauren Uecker at Recent Awards C/SSgt Sarah Chanski C/2dLt Mikayla Frey C/SSgt Nathan Grotte C/SSgt Thomas Hane C/2dLt Valeriya Kolyadenko C/SSgt Parker Lehman C/SSgt Daniel May C/SSgt Kevin Peterson C/SSgt Keynon Phillips C/Capt Donald Raleigh C/2dLt Parker Rosedahl C/SSgt Jonathan Shaver Billy Mitchell Award Billy Mitchell Award Amelia Earhart Award Billy Mitchell Award PAGE 8

9 AE AEROSPACE EDUCATION SD cadets among CyberPatriot division finalists Jan. 19, Maxwell AFB, Ala. Civil Air Patrol cadet teams will make up one-third of the 12 spots in the All-Services Division finals of CyberPatriot IV, the national high school cyber defense competition, and our regional neighbors to the west will be represented among them. When the two days of national finals begin March 23 at the Gaylord National Harbor Convention Center in Gaylord, Md., CAP will be represented by teams from the: Alabama Wing Springville Composite Squadron. Colorado Wing Colorado Springs Cadet Squadron. Ohio Wing Youngstown ARS Composite Squadron. South Dakota Wing Big Sioux Composite Squadron. The four teams emerged from Round 3 of the national competition held Jan , along with two teams each from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps junior ROTCs. The qualifying teams will receive allexpenses-paid trips to the finals. Winning team members in the championship round receive scholarships and prizes from CyberPatriot sponsors. CAP has four teams in the finals because the Springville and Youngstown ARS squadrons cadets captured both available wild card slots. Similarly, 13 CAP teams from nine wings accounted for just over one-third of the 38 teams that competed in Round 3, including all seven wild-card slots. The competition began Oct. 28 with 218 CAP teams participating, 45 percent more than the previous year s total of 150. Established by the Air Force Association in 2009, CyberPatriot is designed to inspire students toward careers in cyber security or other science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, disciplines critical to the nation s future. As the nation s premiere cyber defense competition, CyberPatriot is open to all accredited public, private and parochial high schools and registered home school programs in the Open Division, as well as CAP and junior ROTC units from all four military services in the All-Services Division. A record 1,019 teams from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Ricand U.S. Department of Defense Dependent Schools in Europe, the Pacific and Canada registered to compete in CyberPatriot IV. CAP's Team Wilson, made up of members from the Orlando Cadet Squadron and other central Florida units, was the 2011 champion. In 2010, CAP teams placed second and third in the national finals. Teams consist of two to five members and up to five alternates from the same squadron. Competitors must be high school students and at least 13 years old.during each of the first three rounds, teams are faced with realistic computer network threats at their home locations. Each team has six hours to seek out weaknesses in simulated online networks and work to defend those networks from threat scenarios. Teams are scored according to how quickly and effectively they establish and maintain secure networks. To accommodate the different time zones involved, there is a 36-hour block to compete, starting at noon Friday and closing at 11:59 p.m. Saturday, Eastern Daylight Time. More information is available on the U.S. CyberPatriot website, and from the Air Force Association s Merri Shaffer at mshaffer@afa.org or at , ext PAGE 9

10 Squawk-n-Talk Reminder to pilots, aircra1 handlers Those who work with CAP aircraft, please take a moment to review the following list concerning maintenance from CAPR 66-1, Attachment 1 below. If you have any questions, please contact MN Wing s Aircraft Maintenance Officer, Maj. Jim Hetherington before attempting or allowing others to attempt action.... ATTACHMENT 1 MAINTENANCE THAT MAY BE PERFORMED BY CAP PILOTS AND UNINSURED MECHANICS This list identifies maintenance tasks that may be performed on CAP aircraft by CAP pilots and uninsured A&P mechanics: 1. Replacing defective cotter pins only. A licensed FAA mechanic must perform any maintenance operation requiring replacement of safety wire. 2. Lubrication not requiring removal of items such as cover plates, cowling and fairings. 3. Replenishing hydraulic fluid in hydraulic reservoirs. 4. Repairing upholstery and decorative furnishings of the cabin or cockpit interior when such repair does not require disassembly of any operating system and does not interfere with an operating system or effect the primary structure of the aircraft. 5. Replacement of bulbs, reflectors and lenses of position or landing lights when removing the cowling is not required. 6. Servicing aircraft batteries when opening the cowling is not required. 7. Replacement/adjustment of nonstructural standard fasteners incidental to operations. 8. Tire inflation. 9. Updating self-contained, front instrument panel mounted Air Traffic Control navigational databases, excluding those of automatic flight control systems, transponders and microwave frequency distance measuring equipment, provided disassembly of equipment is not required. Prior to the intended use, an operational check must be performed in accordance with appropriate sections of FAR 91. All preventive service, except navigational database updates must be recorded in the aircraft and/or engine log book showing the service/work performed, date it was performed and name and certificate number of the person performing the task whether it be a pilot or mechanic. Navigational database updates may be kept on a separate log such as the AIF, however a one time entry must be made in the aircraft airframe log book stating the following: Navigational database updates will be kept in the aircraft in a separate log identified with the aircraft s N number, serial number, make and model of the aircraft and make and model of the navigational unit. This entry should be made by a person meeting the requirements in FAR Part 43. PAGE 10

11 Wingtips resumes This issue of Wingtips resumes publication of Minnesota Wing s official newsletter in its role as the one-stop shop for timely MNWG news and information. Wingtips does not replace other forums but instead is an exciting marketplace for news as well as a community collage of notes, reminders and tips useful in carrying out CAP s services. It s the wellspring from which to select stories for our magazine, Northern Flights. And Wingtips serves as a valuable archive for stories published about MNWG both internally and externally, up and down the echelons and in the public media. The anticipated publication schedule promises an issue every one-two months, depending on Wing activity. I want to encourage all public affairs officers of the Wing to submit their stories and photos. Directors of various offices, please feel free to post information here. -Capt. Joseph Bradfield, Director of Public Affairs, MN Wing Wing Conference Breezy Point Resort April 2012 Special guests include Brigadier General Joe Kelly, ret. General Kelly is currently Deputy Director of the Minnesota Homeland Security Emergency Management Division. Watch for reservation details in upcoming Wing Announcements. Call for volunteers Emergency management exercise to be held in June The cities of Anoka, Coon Rapids, and Blaine, as well as other entities will be hosting a full scale emergency management exercise on 23 June They are requesting volunteers to serve as victims and roleplayers for the event. All volunteers must be 18 years of age by the date of the event and will have to sign a release at the event. The full nature of the exercise is not being discussed at this time in order to enhance the value for responders. The event will take place at the Federal Cartridge facility, located in the City of Anoka along Main Street near the Coon Rapids border on June 23 from about 5 a.m. to noon. All volunteers will be fed. Participants will not likely wear CAP uniforms for the event, as a CAP ground team response is not anticipated to be a part of the drill itself. All interested in participating, please respond to Lt. Jim Schilling no later than 1 April at jschilling@ci.blaine.mn.us Stay tuned for further information via Wing Announcements as the event approaches. Upcoming events 3 Mar Mankato Squadron Banquet 3-4 Mar Volleyball Tournament & Lock in 9-11 Mar Staff Training Weekend # Mar Wing-Wide Unit Based SAREX 10 Mar Farmington Air Control Center PAGE 11 Visit Mar BlackCAP XXVII Mar C182TAA G1000 Training Course 29-1 Apr St. Paul Shrine Circus 31-1 Apr Advanced Observer Course NCR Regional Staff College to be held in June Mark your calendar for June 3-8 for the 2012 North Central Region Staff College at Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha. For more information contact Col. Donely. See flier, next page.

12 Registration: $90 Cost includes: materials, banquet, social Billeting: available on base: approximately $40 per night. Rooms include: microwave, refrigerator, wi fi, iron, coffee pot Meals: Dining Hall on base very reasonable Many fast food and dining options on base and just off base North Central Region Staff College June 3 8, 2012 Offutt AFB, NE Omaha, NE Region Staff College is a formal in residence course held at Offutt AFB, NE. This course is required for completion of Level IV and allows CAP Officers a chance to better prepare them to fulfill the duties and responsibilities that are associated with command and staff positions at Squadron level and above. Some of the things you will have an opportunity to learn about are: leadership styles and skills, management theories and working with volunteers. We also work on communication skills both written and spoken. You will deliver a 10 minute speech on a CAP related topic. You will also be given information on problem solving, core values and planning CAP related events. All of this learning will be done in a group setting. Some things will be done in a large group setting and much will be done in a smaller, seminar group setting. The best part of Region Staff College: getting to meet all the other people from the other wings and regions. You will be able to network with these people and make lifelong friends! Best of all you will have fun!!! Contact Information: Col Mary F Donley mfdonley@gmail.com PAGE 12