alabama wing - sep 2006

8/8/2019 Alabama Wing - Sep 2006

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/alabama-wing-sep-2006 1/28

September 2006 1

ALABAMA WINGCIVIL AIR PATROL

NEWSLETTER September 2006Col. Mike Oakman

Commander

Newsletter Contents

Commander’s Comments 1Inspector General 2Webmaster 2Safety Reports 2It’s That Time Again 3FTX Cycle 4

Academy Appointees 7Erinn Scott 7Redstone Cadets Visit Academies 7Simulator for Apollo GX55 GPS 7Glider Flights 8Clay County ELT Search 10Lt. Col Lawrence Retires 10Mobile Squadron Visits Kessler 1150 Year Award to James Hocutt 12Encampment Report 13Operations 15

Jeff Burns, Cadet to AF Pilot trainee 16 National Competitor 17Haynes receives Mitchell Award 17AFA Award to Cadet Kraft 17Wings N Wheels Air Show 18Greenades 18Microsoft Flight Simulator 19

Dinner and an ELT 20Boaz Middle School 20Wreath Laying Ceremonies Planned 21Saga of 06 M1234 21Preparedness Month Memo 24

Plains of Auburn 26SAREX Gadsden 27Lt. Col. Johnny Ward and IACE 28

Commander’s Comments

Saturday, September 9th, 2006 will be thenext "newly formed Commanders Call"meeting at Wing HQ @ Maxwell AFB. Itwill start at 9:00 AM local time. This CCCall will be different in that every member

of the ALWG is invited to attend. It is notsolely intended for Wing Staff and SquadronCommanders; it is for all members that wishto attend.

The Maxwell Squadron Commander hassecured bldg 1400a, Maxwell AFB (Bldg1400A, at the College of Aerospace



June 2006 3

Maps Donated to CAP

State Farm Insurance agent, Mark

Roller, offered to help our Alabama CAPSafety survival/first aid van kit project. Hedonated today 25 Rand McNally roadatlases. The conveniently sized atlases areof the United States, Canada and Mexico.We also received from the State Of Alabama25 state road maps for the 2005-2006editions.

Capt Cathy Carter and Mr. Mark Roller

It’s That Time Again JUSTIN D. SMITH, 1 st Lt, CAP

FTX/PA

It’s that time of the year again.That’s right, fall is fast approaching and thatmeans the Alabama Wing FTX cycle isabout to swing into action! The last school,the 8th since its inception, proved to be a

tremendous success and the upcoming promises to be even better.Let’s take a moment to review the

events from the training cycle that finishedin April. Over the course of six months, fiveteams made up of members from seven unitstook part in intensive academic classroomtraining, followed by practical application in

the field. The final training weekendculminated with a full exercise spanningAutauga County, culminating with achallenging scene management scenario.When the dust settled, those who braved the

elements and completed all the tasks giventhrough the course of the cycle wererewarded by earning new emergencyservices ratings. 26 (18 cadet’s and 8seniors) students graduated the course, with4 earning their Ground Team Leader (GTL) badge, and the rest earning varying levels of Ground Team Member (GTM). Thesenumbers effectively increase the number of ground teams in the wing by 5 teams makingthe wing much more able to respond to

customer needs as the operations tempo for the year increases.Though the last cycle was very

successful, the Alabama Wing still needsmore qualified emergency services personnel. The ALWG FTX cycle, withtraining derived from the nationallyrecognized National Emergency ServicesAcademy (NESA), is hands down the best place to receive the necessary training toallow you to answer the call. In fact, theAlabama Wing FTX cycle was one of thetest-beds for task based training as we knowit today. The first training evolution of thenew cycle starts on October 6th.

The 9th Field Training Cycle willagain offer something for everyone, with basic, advanced, and team leader coursesoffered. Training is open to both cadets andseniors. Many squadrons have foundsuccess in bringing a van full of students for the weekend. Aside from training offeredon site, students are encouraged to completeGeneral ES, First Aid/CPR, and NIMStraining on their own. General ES is offeredvia the CAP website and NIMS via theFEMA website. Talk to your unit ES officer for more information on the additionaltraining requirements.



June 2006 4

The Alabama Wing Field Training programis sponsored by the Alabama Wing andgraciously hosted by the Maxwell Squadron(AL 032) under the direction of Maj.Michael Long. For more information,

please visit the new websitewww.alabamaftx.com

FTX Cycle Begins October 06

Three Schools

This year, we will be offering three differentschools at the FTX program – Basic,

Advanced, and Team Leader

Basic FTX

The Basic FTX is for those cadets and senior members who have not yet attained anyground team qualifications. When Basicstudents complete the training, they willhave passed all the tasks necessary to become a qualified Ground Team Member (GTM-2) under the Emergency Servicesregulations. The Basic curriculum is based

on the Basic school of the NationalEmergency Services Academy.

Advanced FTX

The Advanced FTX track is for thoseindividuals who have already qualified asGTM-3. This school will teach the skillnecessary to become advanced ground teammembers. When advanced studentscomplete the advanced school, they willhave passed all tasks up to and including the

GTM-1 under the Emergency Servicesregulations. In addition to the GTM-1 tasks,students in this track will learn advancedground search techniques. The Advancedcurriculum is based on the advanced schooltrack of the National Emergency ServicesAcademy.

Team Leader

The Team Leader FTX track is for thoseindividuals who have already qualified asGTM-3. This school will teach the skillnecessary to become Ground Team Leaders.

When Team Leader students complete theTeam Leader School, they will have passedall the GTM-1 and GTL tasks under theEmergency Services regulations. TeamLeader students will interact with Basicstudents, and have continuous opportunity tolead their own teams in the field. The TeamLeader curriculum is based on the TeamLeader school track of the NationalEmergency Services Academy. The TeamLeader School is available by application

only.

Ground Team 4

Participant Requirements

All participants must be cadets or senior members in good standing. We arerequiring that cadet participants must be atleast a C/Amn; Cadet Basics may beallowed to participate by special exception by the activity director. Basic school participants should have completed General

Emergency Services (available on-line) bythe end of the cycle (available on-linehttps://tests.cap.af.mil/ops/tests/default.cfm?Message=Ok&grp=dos). Advanced schooland Team Leader school participants must be a qualified GTM-3, and have suchqualifications reflected in MIMS. Inaddition, Team Leader school participants



June 2006 5

must be senior members, or cadets at least17 years of age. Finally, all participantsmust bring a completed CAPF 60 to the firstFTX.

Team Leader School Application

The number of potential team leader schoolstudents will be dictated by the number of Basic students that participate. Accordingly,in order to be considered for a team leader slot, students should forward their requestfor a team leader slot to me via email.CAPID and a summary of ES qualificationsand experience should be included. Notethat you must be at least a rated GTM-3 (and

have those qualifications reflected in MIMS)to be considered for a team leader slot.

Staff Assignments

We do have space for FTX staff. Staff members will aid in the training and providesupport for the exercises. All staff must beat least a rated GTM-2, and have been either a NESA graduate, or a graduate of a previous FTX cycle. Prospective staff members must provide documentation of any emergency services qualifications. Allinterested staff members should email Maj.Curry detailing how they wish to help. Allstaff members will be required to attend allFTXs.

FTX Weekends

FTX Weekends are schedule as follows:

Oct 6-8 Nov 10-12Jan 19-21Feb 16-18Mar 23-25Apr 20-22

Details for each weekend will be providedno later than two weeks prior to eachtraining weekend. Generally, weekends begin at 1800 on Friday, and end at 1300 onSunday. However, these times do change,

depending on the weekend.

Cost

The fee for this cycle is $10 activity fee.This fee covers the entire cycle. This moneyis used to provide all the training materialsfor the participants. This fee is due at theOctober FTX.

All squadrons need to provide me a list of attendees with CAPID numbers no later than

1 October 2006. This ensures that we willhave enough training material for allattendees. This training is an excellent wayto get qualified as a Ground Team member or Ground Team leader under theregulations.

Detailed information on the Alabama WingFTX program can be found athttp://www.alabamaftx.com

If there are any questions, please contacteither myself ([email protected]),or the FTX operations officer, Maj. JoeCurry ([email protected]).

Michael Long, Maj.FTX Cycle Director



June 2006 6

FTX Sign In

2006-2007 Field Training Equipment List

There is generally concern over the

amount of equipment that must be purchased in order to participate.The following details a list of equipment that is the necessaryequipment to participate in thetraining. If individuals do not haveeach item on this list, they will not be able to participate. At some pointduring the training cycle, eachindividual must have all theequipment listed in task O-0001 in

order to complete the task.However, not all the task equipmentis required up front. We attempt tocurtail the amount of equipment thatis required to participate in the firstfew weekends. After participating inES training, many individuals decidethat emergency services activitiessimply do not interest them.Consequently, new (and possiblyunused equipment) simply goes to

waste. However, if participants feelas if ES activities interest them, theycan acquire equipment slowly over time as they complete their training.Our squadron does own someequipment that can be issued out tocadets on an “as-needed” basis;however, this equipment must be

returned to the squadron after theweekend is complete. Most of thisequipment can be purchasedrelatively inexpensively at discountstores or military surplus depots.

REQUIRED LIST

• Battle Dress Uniforms(BDUs), 1 set, complete withall required name tapes and patches, cutouts, and gradeinsignia in accordance withCAPM 39-1

• BDU cap

• Combat boots, at least one

pair • Blue belt w/subdued tip and

buckle for wear w/ BDUs

• Underclothes and sockssufficient for three days

• Toilet kit, including: soap &toothbrush (in cases),toothpaste, razor and shavingcream (as necessary), combor brush (as necessary), itemsof feminine hygiene (as

necessary), deodorant or antiperspirant, shampoo,other items as necessary(enough to last you for your entire stay).

• At least two quarts of water

• International orangereflective vest

• Pocket knife

• Flashlight (With Red Lense)

• Pocket note pad (3" x 5"),

pen and pencil.• Inexpensive wristwatch.

• Shelter material, preferably 8'x 10' (spare military ponchomeets the need).

• Food for two days

• Sleeping bag, bedroll or



June 2006 7

poncho liner

• Compass

• Whistle

Alabama Cadets Receive Academy

Appointments

US Air Force Academy

Andrew M JohnsonChester KraftMatthew ReynoldsErinn Scott

US Naval Academy

Erinn Scott

US Military Academy at West Point ErinnScottChester KraftJamie DeSpain

Erin Scott appointed to Air Force

Academy

Erinn Scott graduated with honors fromHoover High School and with the additionalhonor of receiving appointments to threeservice academies: The United States Air Force Academy, the United State NavalAcademy and the United States MilitaryAcademy. She will major in mechanicalengineering at the Air Force Academy. USRep Spencer Bachus appoint Cadet Scott to

the academies.

At Hoover High School she received theSuperintendent’s Award among others. She played basketball and ran cross country.President of the Youth Council for FusionStudent Ministry at Green Valley BaptistChurch, she was also the Cadet Commander

of the Bessemer Squadron, earning theEarhart Award and other CAP Awards. Sheis the daughter of Tim and Pam Scott of Hoover, Alabama.

Redstone Cadets Attend Summer

Seminars at Academies

Two Civil Air Patrol cadets of the RedstoneComposite Squadron 119 are guests of theU.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Air ForceAcademy this week. Cadet Tech Sgt. GarrettBain is at the Air Force Academy’s Summer Seminar spending a week seeing what life islike as an A.F.A. cadet. Likewise, CadetAirman First Class Travis Wilson isspending this week at the U.S. NavalAcademy in Annapolis, MD seeing what life

would be like as a plebe. Both cadets hopeto get an appointment to the serviceacademies next year when they graduatefrom high school. Cadet Wilson attendsCatholic High in Huntsville and Cadet Bainattends high school in Arab, AL.

Free simulator for the Apollo GX55 GPS

This is the link from which you candownload a free simulator for the ApolloGX55 GPS:http://www.garmin.com/include/gxsimulator/SimulatorPopupGX.html



June 2006 8

This will allow you (particularly observer trainees) to become familiar with theoperation of GPS in the aircraft.Enjoy and feel free to pass this link on toother members

LT R. Maasha, AL055 Maintenance

Cadet Glider Orientation Flights

Saturday June 10th the Bessemer Cadetswere the guest of Lt. Col Johnny Ward theShelby County Squadron. Members from

both squadrons meet at the Flying X field.The Bessemer Cadets were giveninstructions on how a glider works, whatkeeps it flying and safety. Cadets woreorange vest for safety while on the airstrip.Each cadet learned about the instruments inthe cockpit and how to read and use them.The cadets learned the hand signals for connecting the towrope, taking up the slack in the towrope, getting signals from theglider and relaying them to the tow plane.Many cadets viewed from their glider American Village, Shelby County Airportand neighborhoods.

The cadets worked well together to readythe glider for the next flight allowing a fastturnaround time on the ground. While thecadets waited their turn flying they enjoyed

canoeing on the duck pond and a bootshining class held by C/2

ndLT Philip Ronan

and Major Jimmie Cox.

Cadets in attendance were: Basic Tyler

Hobbs, 2nd LT Philip Ronan, Senior AirmanCristian Sanchez, Airman 1

stClass Jordan

Box, Airman 1st Class Cory Dean, Airman1st Class Caleb Rettig, Senior Airman Chuck Deering, Airman 1

stClass Taylor Cox,

Airman Lauren Chambers, C/Capt.Stephanie Petelos

Bessemer Senior Members: Captain TeresaPetelos, Major Jimmie Cox, Captain PaulRoebuck, S/M Dale Chambers

Shelby County Senior Members: Lt ColJohnny Ward, S/M John Hawkins, S/M BillMcAbee, SM/ASE Bill Compton, CaptainRoger Lewis

S/M Dale Chambers PAO



June 2006 9

ELT found by Clay County Flight

Short story:

Clay County Flight UDF Team finds ELT in

trunk of car near Anniston airport.

Long Story:

Pilot gains new respect for Civil Air Patrol.

Clay County Flight was alerted onThursday night, June 29th to search for an

ELT in the Anniston area. A signal wasclearly heard on Mt. Cheaha coming fromthe area of the Anniston airport. Theincident commander was notified of thesignal and the team was advised that thesatellite was no longer receiving the signal.

After relocating to the Annistonairport the team determined the ELT wasstill active, and that it was not at the airport.The satellite was no longer receiving thesignal and CAP air support would not be

available until the next morning so it was upto the UDF team to find the ELT. AnnistonFlight Service was not hearing the signaland a check of pilots in the area by Air Traffic Control reported no one else hearingthe signal. Lifesaver helicopter flying in thearea also reported not hearing the signal. Itnow appeared that the only people receivingthe signal were on the UDF team. Initial bearings taken with the L-Per from theairport turned out to be false reflections

which were stronger than the direct signal.After discovering the signals were false, theteam returned to the airport and reacquiredthe signal from the ELT using both the L-Per and the Tracker.

The signal on 243 was much stronger than the signal on 121.5. Bearings takenfrom two different locations at the airportindicated the signal was coming from east of the airport, back in the direction of themountain. The team began to retrace theroute back to the mountain but was unable to pick up the signal. Returning to the airport,the team traveled a different, less directroute and began to receive the signal again.

The search area was narrowed down toabout a four mile area east of the airport. Awest boundary and an east boundary had been established. Traveling the availableroads and taking each right turn soon led toa spot where the signal was north of theteam. The signal was now tracking straightdown a private dirt driveway.

As the team drove down the road theheadlights revealed a large sailboat on atrailer. The team checked the area with the

tracker and discovered the signal was notcoming from the boat, but from the directionof the house. It was now about 1 AM andthe team was at a private residence, with noone home. Just as the team was preparing toleave, a vehicle was observed approachingon the dirt drive. The driver was a neighbor watching the house for the owner who wasaway. It was also revealed that the owner not only had the large boat, but he alsoowned an airplane. The neighbor did not

have a key, so understanding the reason for the team’s presence; he left to get theowner’s father who had a key. A fewminutes later, the owner’s father arrivedwith a key. He turned out to be a former CAP squadron commander and allowedaccess to the house.



June 2006 11

As with many of you, John Lawrence hadconsiderable impact on my life as a pilot andmy flying career. As a DE, he gave me myCommercial, CFI, and CFII check rides -and, as you can suspect, they were very

comprehensive - but were also enjoyable.Because of John, I joined the CAP. Becauseof John, I remained in the CAP. Because of John, I am the squadron commander, an IP,mission pilot, and a check pilot in the CAP.I am confident he has touched the lives andflying careers of many of you as well.

We wish John well and he has truly earnedthe time to relax knowing he has served hiscountry well - more than most people ever

will.

Please stay in touch with John and Jean.They are wonderful people who havedonated a significant amount of their lives toour country and the Civil Air Patrol.

Captain Donnie Todd

Front Row: Cadet William Shepard; 2nd Lt. ChrisLyon; Cadet Daniel Neese, and R. Rockwell (of Pensacola, FL squadron of CAP) Back Row: Major Jeff Ragusa (Technician - 53rd Air Force Reserve);Lt. Col.Stephen Howard; 2nd Lt. Emmett Farnell

Mobile Squadron Visits

Keesler AFB

The Mobile Squadron of the Alabama Wing

of the Civil Air Patrol traveled Wednesday,June 21 to Keesler Air Force Base,Mississippi for the purpose of getting afamiliarity ride aboard the 53 Weather Reconnaissance Group of the 403rd AirliftWing's new C 130J model aircraft. Theevent was attended by two of our Cadets,Daniel Neese and William Shepard; and,seven Senior members: Major Meddie Clark, Lt Col. . .Stephen Howard, 1st Lt. Tom Lyon, 2nd Lt.

Chris Lyon, 2nd Lt. Emmett Farnell, andSM Cliff Walvatne. Pensacola, Florida CAPwas represented with us on this field trip byR. Rockwell (rank unknown).

Everyone had opportunity to visit thecockpit with the aircraft's state of the arttechnology. Some of the Seniors were alittle jealous of the Cadets because they gotto sit in the cockpit during take off andlanding. We were all thrilled with the high

'G' turns and approaches. The 403rd's crewflew us to New Orleans, circled the city,flew the coast to Mobile, circled again andthen back to Keesler where we made anexciting approach flying at 500 feet just pastthe Beau Rivage Casino (on the beach), andlanding with a high 'G' reverse approach for a short field landing. We exited the aircraftwith the engines still running so the crewcould go back out for further short field practice landings.



June 2006 12

The flying part of this trip turned out to bethe safer part of the experience because our van broke down on the bridge as weapproached theback side of Keesler AFB.

Thank Goodness for the petite little policeofficer from the Harrison County Sheriff'sDepartment for the 'push' off of this hightraffic speedway. We then had to walk theequivalent of 6 to 8 blocks in mid ninetytemperatures, but we were all able to make iton time for the flight.

Needless to say we were glad to arrive homeat Brookley Aerospace Complex in Mobilethat night.

50 Year Award to James Hocutt

James “Jim” Hocutt was born in 1932, inBirmingham, Alabama. He grew up about

three blocks from the Central Park Airport,where he had a “love at first sight,”experience with airplanes. His first airplaneride was at Central Park Airport, in a FordTri-Motor.

James Hocutt receives Lifetime MembershipCard from Col. Oakman

When the United States entered World War II, his father, “Bill” Hocutt, was a volunteer Civil Defense Air Raid Warden in the area

where they lived. During air raid drills,Civil Air Patrol planes flew overheaddropping small bags filled with flour tosimulate bombs. As part of the air raiddrills, his dad, along with other air raidwardens would access the simulateddestruction, and make a report.

Jim rode his bicycle and delivered thereports to the local fire station where theSector Wardens were located. By the time

the war ended in 1945, he could identifyevery airplane the United States, Germany,Japan, Italy, and Russia, flew.

The Hocutts—both CAP members



June 2006 14

One of the most exciting activities participated in was a visit to Keesler Air Force

Base. Here cadets got to meet with the ViceCommander of the 81st Training Wing, Col.Richard Pierce. They also received awonderful tour of the 403rd Wing, visitingwith its 815th Airlift Squadron, and its 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron – better known as the “Hurricane Hunters”. While on base, the cadet’s also visited with the firedepartment, the air traffic control tower, andhad a demonstration from the military workingdogs belonging to the 81st Security Forces

Squadron. While the Keesler trip wascertainly exciting, the highlight of the week would have to be the trip to NASA’s John C.Stennis Space Center. Here they received atour of the site where engines are tested. Thecadets also experienced the rare opportunity of viewing an actual test firing of one of NASA’snewest engines! Cadets received a tour of thespace museum, a briefing on living in space,and were shown what goes into putting aspacecraft in orbit. During the week cadetstook part in orientation flights in both CAP

Cessna aircraft and an Air Force KC-135.

The last day of encampmentconcluded with a volleyball tournament and adining in, giving the chance for cadets tofinally relax and socialize and reflect withtheir newfound friends on a hard weeks work.Graduation commenced on Saturday, July 8th

and all graduates proudly showed off their accomplishments in a pass in review. Thisyear’s encampment will surely be amemorable experience that all participantswill carry with them their entire lives.

All participants graduatedencampment, which is rare in itself and showsgreat character and determination on the partof all. However, there were some membersthat stood above the rest and were recognizedduring the graduation ceremony, many of whom were Alabama Wing members. 2 LTAnthony Beresford (AL 055) was recognizedas the encampment’s outstanding senior staffer. C/1st Lt Autumn Owens (AL 090)received the outstanding cadet officer award.

The Academic Award and the Honor Cadetwas Cadet Jordan Davidson (AL 087). TheHonor Flight was Alpha Flight. All participants from both wings put forth atremendous effort all week and deserve to becongratulated for a job well done. Withoutthis effort, the encampment would not have been such a success.

All units are encouraged to stay tunedfor news regarding next summer’s

encampment. There are several possibilitiesright now, all of which are very exciting.Encampment is the cornerstone of the cadet program, and is required to earn the Gen. BillyMitchell Award.

Note: Pictures are currently found at:



June 2006 15

http://myweb.cableone.net/kc5nmh/mswgcp/encampment/photos/photomain.htm

Operations:Lt. Col. David Boswell

I've been very gratified with my time in thewing since my return from South Carolina,and I am pleased to be your DO. One thingI observed in South Carolina, as here, is theimportance of training. Alabama is positioned geographically to provide mutualaid all over Southeast Region, and it takes astrong commitment on everyone's part to

make sure we are prepared.

Alabama Wing is beginning the next roundof ground operations training in October.This is a program that provides severallevels of training and I encourage every unitto consider sending members. The activityhas a new web site, www.alabamaftx.com that has complete details, schedules, and points of contact. I can not stress enoughhow important it is to have ground

operations people trained and proficient inour core missions - SAR and disaster operations.

The FTX program is the mostcomprehensive, cost effective, groundtraining available in the wing. The staff ishighly experienced, having taught at theactivity and the National ES schools, for many years.

On behalf of the wing commander, we arelooking forward to another successfultraining season.

From Cadet to

Air Force Pilot Training

Jeff Burns always wanted to fly. As the sonof an Air Force Officer, Jeff was exposedearly in life to aviation and took his first

flight in a small Cessna when he was onlysix months old!At age 12, Jeff’s father introduced him tothe Civil Air Patrol while living at MaxwellAir Force Base. The summer camps andweekly meetings impressed the buddingaviator who remembers being surrounded by people who loved flying as much as he did.

Throughout high school, Jeff was inactivewith CAP but once enrolled at the

University of Alabama, the flying bug bithim again and Jeff decided to pursue hisdream of becoming an Air Force pilot.After joining the Bessemer CompositeSquadron in the summer of 2003, Jeff skillfully balanced a full class load, work and flying lessons. He first soloed in May2004 and earned his private pilot certificateon his 21

stbirthday in October 2004.

Jeff joined the Air Force ROTC Detachmentat Alabama and through hard work anddetermination, earned a scholarship andeventually a coveted pilot slot. Recentlygraduated and commissioned a SecondLieutenant, Jeff will begin SpecializedUndergraduate Pilot Training at LaughlinAir Force Base in Del Rio, Texas in November.



June 2006 16

Following a month or so of academics,Lieutenant Burns will start the flying phasein the brand-new T-6 Texan II turboprop.During this demanding phase of pilottraining, Burns will learn basic contact

flying, aerobatics, cross-country andinstrument procedures, followed by theformation and low level syllabus.

After the T-6, Burns will “track” into one of four different specialties: Fighter/Bomber,Cargo/Tanker, Helicopters or Tactical Airlift(C-130s). Burns admits to wanting to flyfighters but will be happy with anytrack…as long as he is wearing the “Silver Wings” of an Air Force Pilot! Burns credits

the CAP with providing the motivation andinspiration to follow his dream. Good luck Lieutenant Burns!

Cadet Chambers Competes on team in

National Meet

Cadet Airman Lauren Chambers of theBessemer composite squadron loves to fly.Lauren will fly anytime and anywhere,indoors or out. Yes, indoors. Besidesloving 172’s and refueling planes Laurentakes flying to a whole new meaning.Lauren competes nationally on a tumblingand trampoline team.

After a year of traveling to meets inGeorgia, Kentucky, Ohio, South Carolina,

and the Alabama state championship. With agroup of first place metals that clink whenLauren opened her bedroom door, she wasready for nationals.

Lauren’s 6 member team recently competedfor national titles at the USA GymnasticsTrampoline and Tumbling Championshipsin Schamburg IL (near Chicago). With 1600competitors from all 50 states performingTrampoline, Double Mini, Tumbling andSynchronized Trampoline the competitionwas nerve racking.

Lauren competed on the Double MiniTrampoline two passes of Straddle Jump,

Front Tuck with a Kickout. The second passis a Straight Jump, Half Turn, Back Tuck with a Kickout. With 2 rock solid landingsand a victory yell that filled the coliseumLauren’s skills were able to bring home asilver metal.

Lauren competes in trampoline and DoubleMini for her team the JFJ Tumblers basedout of JFJ Elite Gymnastics in Hoover,Alabama.

The team left Birmingham, AL on a Boeing737 and Lauren insisted we sit behind thewing so photograph could be taken of thewing as it prepares for takeoff and duringflight. The CAP binder with the AEinformation appeared and Lauren taught asmall class on the airflow and how we fly.

Lauren home schools and is a Purple Senior in TaeKwonDo and should be a seconddegree black belt before summer. Lauren(on non CAP event Saturdays) is a teacher and hostess for children’s birthday parties.Lauren also volunteers at a local food bank distributing food and helps deliver food toshut ins.



June 2006 17

Lauren’s after college dreams are to be aForensic Pathologist. Lauren is pursuing(GTM) Ground Team Member rating andsoon will start (MRO) Mission RadioOperator rating. Laurens hopes flying

lessons are soon to start so she can be moreof an asset to the Civil Air Patrol.

Cadet Nathan Haynes Earns the Mitchell

Award

Nathan Haynes from Oxford, Alabama, andis a senior in high school. In addition toCivil Air Patrol some of his favorite pastimes are hunting and fishing. He is alsovery involved at Meadowbrook BaptistChurch. Nathan said, “My interest in aerospace andthe military came at a very early age. By thetime I was five I wanted to fly an F-15 for the Air Force. When I was twelve years olda retired Air Force officer told me about theCivil Air Patrol, and even looked up the

local squadrons for me. I loved CAP fromthe first meeting I attended.

“Civil Air Patrol has been a tremendoushelp to me in many areas. It has taught memany things from leadership to self-discipline. It has helped me become more physically fit and allowed me to make manyfriends. By far the best experience I have

had in CAP is flying, and I hope to obtainmy pilot's license.

I would not be able to be where I amtoday without the help of my parents; theyhave always been supportive and willing to

drive me to many CAP activities. I also needto thank my Squadron Commanders, pastand present, along with the DeputyCommanders of Cadets who have alwaysencouraged and helped me. I thank all thecadets who have trained and advised me.Most importantly I thank God, for withoutHim I could not make it each day.”

Cadet Captain Chester Kraft receives Air

Force Association Award

Cadet Captain Chester Kraft wasawarded the Air Force Association (AFA)Award on 18 July 06. This AFA-sponsoredaward consists of a medal and ribbon and is presented annually to outstanding CAPcadets. To be eligible for the awardrecipients must display personal attributes

such as initiative, judgment, and self-confidence, courteous demeanor, in additionto possessing the highest personal andethical standards and strong positiveconvictions. The recipient must rank in thetop 5% for their AS class and rank in the top10% of their academic class.

Cadet Captain Kraft joined Civil Air Patrol in August of 2003 and has advancedto the rank of Cadet Captain. The followingare some of Cadet Captain Kraft’s CAPaccomplishments: Earned the Mitchell andEarhart Awards. Cadet Captain Kraft wasawarded squadron Cadet of the Year in 2003and 2005, awarded squadron Cadet NCO of the year for the in 2004, Honor Cadet of the2004 Alabama Wing Encampment and wasFlight Sergeant of the Honor Flight for the



June 2006 18

2005 Alabama Wing Encampment. CadetCaptain Kraft earned the AerospaceExcellence (AEX) Award and taught theAEX program twice. He has served as CadetOperations NCOIC, Color Guard

Commander and Flight Sergeant Kraft hasserved as Operations officer and CadetCommander on numerous Bivouacs.Currently Cadet Captain Kraft is serving asCadet Deputy Commander, CadetAerospace Education Officer, and PrimaryCadet Advisory Council representative.Kraft graduated from Advanced TechnologyAcademy at Peterson AFB, CO.

Cadet Captain Kraft received a

congressional nomination fromCongressman Bud Cramer for the Air ForceAcademy, West Point, and Air Force / ArmyROTC. Cadet Captain Kraft will beattending the Embry Riddle campus inPrescott, AZ. where he received an ArmyROTC four year scholarship.

Cadet Commander CAPT Mike Johnson,“Kraft earned it (AFA Award) certainly byhis leadership within the cadet program andhis dedication to the Civil Air Patrol.”

Wings N Wheels Air Show

September 23-24, 2006

The annual WINGS N WHEELS AIR SHOW will be at the Shelby County AirportSaturday and Sunday, September 23-24.The Shelby County Squadron will have

a CAP Display and recruiting booth.Squadrons in the Birmingham area (Sqdn.90, Sqdn. 34, Bessemer Springville andChilton County) are invited to send onesenior member and one Cadet to help manthe booth during the shifts listed below. TheShelby County Squadron will also operatean Ice Cream Stand as a fund raiser.

WINGS N WHEELS is sponsored by theBirmingham Aero Club with profits going tothe Southern Museum of Flight at theBirmingham Airport and for Flight

Scholarships. They need volunteers to help.We will operate a CAP volunteer manpower pool in the hanger by our CAP display.Please contact Lt. Col. Johnny Ward

[email protected] and advise if your squadron would like to attend and help manthe display and/or volunteer to help in other areas. CAP members wanting to participateshould plan to arrive no later then 9:30amand report to the CAP area for assignment.If you are in uniform and are volunteering

you will be admitted FREE. You will havetime to look around at the display aircraftand see some of the Air Show too.

GREENADES

Message from Col. Oakman

DRUG ALERT - PLEASE GIVE THIS THEWIDEST DISTRIBUTION POSSIBLE

This was received by SM Kelly Maricle DDROof the Easton Squadron in Maryland Wingdated 28 July06

Marijuana Being Packaged in Gumballs:'Greenades' Sold to Teens

By Jim Kouri

Jul 23, 2006

High-grade marijuana is being packaged ingumballs and sold to high school students,according to Maryland State Police officials.These gumballs, known as "Greenades,"contain enough THC to be fatal to smaller children. THC is the active chemical inmarijuana that causes the user to become"high."



June 2006 19

Two bright yellow gumballs with smiley faces wereseized from two high school students by policeat the Howard County High School in Maryland.A police officer assigned to the high school witnessed the gumballs being purchased by thestudents while passing between classes.

The gumballs were sent to the Maryland StatePolice's Forensic Sciences Division Laboratoryin Pikesville, Maryland, and they determinedthere was approximately one gram of high-grademarijuana packed inside each gumball. Thegumballs came wrapped in colorful tin foillabeled as "Greenades" with a marijuana leaf onthe wrapper and detailed instructions for use.

With this discovery, concern over Greenades isgrowing among parents in the area, not only for the teenagers in the local student body but also

over what happens when these drug-usingstudents bring these gumballs home and their younger brothers or sisters get a hold of them,or worse yet, curious toddlers encounter them.

Most experts agree that there is enoughTHC in one gram of high grade marijuana to produce a lethal overdose that could resultin death if swallowed by a toddler.

J.T. Daily, Director of Drug Education for Narconon Arrowhead, one of the country’sleading drug rehabilitation and education

centers, said, "The way drugs are beingmarketed and packaged these days toencourage kids to buy and use them is gettingpretty sophisticated."

The purpose, of course, is to create a futureclientele for drugs and what better-targetedmarket for a pusher than kids, he stated.

"They are young, experimental by nature andhave the money to buy it. If they try it and like it,they could end up being a permanent customer that one day ends up in our rehabilitation facility,

in jail or dead."

To obtain more information on how you can helpeducate your children about the dangers of drugand alcohol use, or if you know someone whoneeds help with addiction, contact NarcononArrowhead’s information hotline 1-800-468-6933or visit www.stopaddiction.com.

Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police and he's a staff writer for the New Media Alliance

http://www.dea.gov/programs/forensicsci/microgram/mg0506/mg0506.html

http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_27267229.shtml

http://magic-city-news.com/article_6354.shtml

http://www.inboxrobot.com/news/tetrahydrocannabinol

http://capitolhillcoffeehouse.com/more.php?id=750_0_1_0_M

http://www.theorator.com/blogs/kouri.html

http://www.examiner.com/a-193703~Marijuana_g...t_Howard_High_attract_DEA.html

http://www.americanpothead.com/

http://www.einnews.com/NewEngland/newsf eed-new-england-education

http://tagjag.com/discovery/marijuana

Advertisement about Microsoft CAP

Search and Rescue

In our newest add-on Civil Air Patrol Search& Rescue, we bring to you the ability tocreate your own custom search and rescue

missions to fly in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004. Using Flight Simulator and Civil Air Search and Rescue, users will fly some of the same missions performing critical tasksthat keep the CAP such an essential part of the our nation's resources.



June 2006 20

http://www.ebgames.com/product.asp?cookie%5Ftest=1&product_id=646731

Sent to the PAO-List by

Newton G. Talley, Maj, CAP Public Affairs Officer

Morgan County Cadet Sq (GLR-IN-219

Dinner and an ELT

Huntsville Composite Squadron andRedstone Composite Squadron membersoften meet for dinner once a quarter.Generally it is a time to talk about CAP,

local news, and just visit with friends. OnJune 29, 2006 it turned out to be anything but ordinary conversation. Lt Col DennisFlowers called Capt Carl Foster of theHuntsville Squadron. An ELT Mission wasassigned while members finished their salads. 2 Lt John Blakely and 1 Lt AndyBoyer were air crew members fromRedstone Squadron, who had their dinners put in “to go” boxes and left for MadisonExecutive Airport to meet 1 Lt Ian Johnston,

mission pilot for Huntsville Squadron, for anelectronic search of the area identified bySARSAT.

A ground team, composed of Capt Foster, LtCol Mitcham and Maj Mitcham, serving ason-scene IC, also left the dinner to drive tothe area, hoping to find and silence theELT. As it turned out, nothing was heardusing the equipment in the aircraft and onthe ground. The aircraft returned to base,

the ground team stopped near three or four merge points and took readings, but heardnothing. The mission would resume thenext morning with a new aircrew andground team.

Lt. Col. Jim Harris and 1 Lt Peter Levy flewfor Redstone Composite Squadron on June

30, 2006 with Lt. Col. Dan Riley and 2 LTTracey Miller supporting them as a groundteam. Again, nothing was heardelectronically even though the SARSAT wasstill reporting a signal. The aircrew flew the

grid around the last merge point and foundan unmarked private airfield with severalaircraft parked near a barn/hanger. Theywere able to direct the ground team to the air strip, and the ground team was able to findand silence a malfunctioning connection toan ELT.

Dinner and an ELT are not always the wayto visit with friends, but sometimes it justworks out that way.

Boaz Middle School SER-AL801

Ryan Erskine is cadet number 1 in the newlycharter BMS AL-801 middle schoolsquadron.

Ryan Being briefed for his first orientationflight.

“Taxiing down the runway, on Saturday,August 26 for my first orientation flight withthe Civil Air Patrol I felt excited that I wasone step closer to fulfilling my dream of flight. When we took off I got a knot in mystomach as we ascended into the air.Reaching 2500 ft I felt like a giant, as the buildings and houses below us became



June 2006 21

smaller. I was able to see for miles and milesin every direction as we flew over my houseand Boaz Middle School.

When we were about to land Capt.

Tallmadge Butler went over the landingchecks as we prepared to land on therunway. I enjoyed my flight and can’t waittill the next time I get to fly.”

“To see my son taxing down the runway for his first orientation flight with the Civil Air Patrol brought out all kinds of emotions for me. I was, of course, proud of my son toknow that he was one step closer to fulfillinghis dream of becoming an air force pilot and

I was also a little nervous knowing how highhe was off the ground.

But, I was also grateful knowing that whilehe was up there he was in the hands of askilled pilot Capt. Talmaldge Butler fromthe Gadsden squadron. I was very glad tosee the plane making its final approach anddescent to land.” said Sonya Erskine,Ryan’s mother.

Lt. Col. Randall HaneyCommander, AL 801

Wreath Laying CeremonyFrom the PAO – List.

Here is something we all can get behind and promote without putting anyone’s life indanger. For the last 18 years, Worcester Wreath Company out of Harrington, Mainehas been sending “Holiday Wreaths” toArlington National Cemetery to be laid onVeterans gravesites. For the last six years,two CAP Squadrons, Machias Valley and StCroix Composite Squadron, CAP havedecorated and laid the wreaths in Arlingtonalong with the Maine State Society

volunteers. This year, Merrill Worcester hasdecided to honor CAP by furnishing awreath to every Veteran’s Cemetery in theUnited States, including Alaska and Hawaii.This project was just laid into our laps this

morning and we are starting to get theinformation we need to contact all areas thathave a Veteran’s Memorial and find theWing Commanders, PAO’s and others whocan participate in this undertaking.Worcester will ship the wreaths to anywherewe tell him at no cost to the local unit(s).The wreaths will be laid on the memorials at11:00 am ET or at 11:00 am local time allover the United States. If we can pull it alltogether by December 14th, this could be

great public relations for Civil Air Patrol.

Interesting note: Harrington, Maine is one of the poorest towns in the county and thelocals all help Mr. Worcester and his team put together these wreaths. Our cadets are proud to decorate, pack and ship the wreathsto Arlington. They make me proud to seethem lay a wreath, take one step back andsalute the deceased veteran.

(Note: I have additional information on thisactivity. If your squadron is near aVeteran’s Cemetery, please contact me and Iwill forward information to you. –Maj. PatMitcham)

The Saga of Mission 06M1252

(For those of you who did not receive this byemail.)

On Monday July 10th we received a callfrom ever-cheerful Incident Commander Dennis Flowers, who relishes in waking people up at 3 AM. Dennis seemeddisappointed, because the call came in



June 2006 23

But being the dedicated sap that I am, I toldRick we’d give it another shot. I called 1LTMike Medynski, the guru of ELT groundsearches, and begged him to go with me. Hemet me at JKA and we had an interestingflight to 79J, dodging towering clouds thatsaid “we’ll be waiting for you later, andwe’ll be a little bigger then.”

Using the latest coordinates from thesatellites, we soon located a signal andtraced it to an area north of Gantt Lake,where there was a little airfield and metal building about the size of a medium- production meth lab. Good prospect, huh?But we wanted to be sure about our signal,so we did a collapsing square search aroundthe area until we felt sure that the signal wascoming from a group of houses on the northshore of the lake. Maybe one of those guysfigured he needed an EPIRB on his boat.Anyway, back we went to the airport,calling ahead to the Sheriff’s department for transportation assistance. This time we weremet by an ambulance and two EMTs whowere just happy to have something to do.

(Here’s a tip: When you need transportationassistance, ask for an ambulance. There’s alot more room in the back, and not nearly asmany unidentifiable stains. And if you strapyourself in, you can take a nap!) Neither of the EMTs had missed a meal in along time, but it was lunchtime and we

never pass up a chance to eat at therestaurant adjacent to the helipad at 79J.

While we were eating, we got a call fromRick Hasha, who told us that AFRCC had

called to tell him that the mission wascancelled. Apparently they were buying intothe “distant supernatural phenomenon”theory, too. I told Rick that we had gone toall the trouble of getting all dressed up andflying all the way up there, and that wewanted to try just one more time.After lunch we headed out to the locationnorth of the lake. After a trip of about 20minutes we arrived at the suspected location,only to hear absolutely nothing except the

hiss of static on the locators. We triedseveral locations, but heard nothing.

OK, let’s try the other side of the lake. It’snot very wide, and we should be able to pick up anything that was originating on the other side. Nope, just static. So we decided that itwas time to give up and return home.

As I said before, Mike Medynski is the guruof ELT ground searches. Instead of packingup the L-Per, he left it on, with the antennasticking out the ambulance window. Abouthalfway back to Andalusia, the L-Per cameto life and started picking up a signal. (Thiswas a real relief, because by this time thetwo EMTs were beginning to have seriousdoubts about what the heck we were doing,and Mike’s imitation of an ELT was not tooconvincing.) We stopped and did a quick check, and then headed in the direction of the signal.

A great part of the “distant supernatural phenomenon” theory often includes a power substation, and there happened to be one atthe next intersection. But Mike chose tocross the intersection, following his instinctand experience. When he shouted “stophere,” we were next to an old utility trailer



June 2006 24

next to a modest home with a yard full of objects d’ arte that would have made FredSanford drool. The L-Per was now yelpingas loud as it could, happy to have somethingto sing about.

Now when an ambulance pulls up next toyour house and unloads like a clown car fullof guys in flight suits and carrying RubeGoldbergish gizmos made of yardsticks andcoat hangers, you just have to come out andsee what’s going on, right? Right! The twogentlemen who came out (whom we shallcall “Rufus” and “Earl,” Rufus’ father) werevery nice, and very curious. We told themthat we needed to look in the trailer, and

they told us to go right ahead. After findingthe trailer completely empty, we asked themif they happened to have an ELT about the place. After a confused look and a momentof meditation, Rufus’ face lit up, and he ranto the back of his pickup, opened the tool box, and produced a small yellow box withan antenna. Rufus and Earl have variedinterests: they are in the tree-cutting business (yep, it was them cutting down thattree on Monday); they fly ultralights andexperimental planes and have a smallairstrip north of the lake, (sound familiar?)where Rufus had been earlier that day (aboutthe time we arrived over Andalusia); andRufus had stopped by his house on the northside of the lake (where he had gone duringthe time we were trying to lock in thelocation over the airport.)Rufus told us that he had noticed a lot of little planes circling around him for the pastfew days here and there, and had said that onMonday he was right off my wing tip whileI was circling the tree-removal operation.

So now we know why the signal had beenmoving around…we had been chasingRufus for three days as he made hisappointed rounds. But why was the signalcoming and going, and what explains the

“here, there and everywhere” nature of thesignals at times. The ELT emerged from thetool box in one hand and the bracket (which protects the switch) in the other. My guess isthat there were other treasures in Rufus’

toolbox, and that they occasionally collidedwith the ELT and turned it on and off as hedrove the highways and byways of Covington County. As for the “here, thereand everywhere” question, I guess we haveto chalk it up to swamp gases colliding withozone in the upper atmosphere, creating awormhole over Andalusia into which strayradio signals are collected as they bounceoff of the AFRCC’s satellites, andredistributed over the entire town. Let’s

keep that in mind for future Andalusiamissions!

Lt. Col. David Spivey

MEMORANDUM FOR NATIONAL

BOARD

SUBJECT: National Preparedness Month

1. September is National PreparednessMonth. As a national level responseorganization Civil Air Patrol needs to takesteps to encourage members and their communities to be better prepared for emergencies, and National PreparednessMonth is an appropriate time to do so. National Preparedness Month is anationwide effort held each September toencourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes,

businesses and schools. NationalPreparedness Month 2006 is sponsored bythe U.S. Department of Homeland Security(DHS). The goal of the month is to increase public awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies and to encourageindividuals to take action. ThroughoutSeptember, DHS will work with a wide



June 2006 25

variety of rganizations like Civil Air Patrol,from both the government and privatesector, to highlight the importance of familyemergency preparedness and to promoteindividual involvement through events and

activities across the nation.

2. Civil Air Patrol is a 2006 NationalPreparedness Month Coalition Member, andas such we want to encourage all members,their families and friends, and their communities to focus on four simple steps tomake themselves better prepared for emergencies:

a. Get a Kit - Get a kit of emergencysupplies that will allow you and your family

to survive for at least three days in the eventan emergency happens. The kit shouldinclude basic items like water, food, battery- powered radio, flashlight and a first aid kit.Units should consider building kits withmembers at a unit meeting in September,and maybe even inviting guests to do thesame.

b. Make a Plan - Plan in advancewhat you and your family will do in anemergency. Your plan should include acommunications plan and addresssheltering-in-place and evacuation. Unitsshould assist members in developing plans,and making sure that mechanisms are put in place to contact, assistand support members in need when adisaster strikes.

c. Be Informed - Learn more aboutdifferent threats that could affect your community and what the appropriateresponses to these threats are. Key unit staff should brief members on the threats to your communities and what Civil Air Patrol may be tasked to do if something does happen inyour community.

d. Get Involved - After preparingyourself and your family for possibleemergencies, take the next step: get training

in first aid and emergency response and getinvolved in preparing your community.This is a great time to schedule generalemergency services training for newmembers as well as continuing education

training for members who are alreadymission qualified. It would also beappropriate to reach out to other organizations in your community for jointtraining and education like your localCitizen Corps Council, CommunityEmergency Response Team, or AmericanRed Cross Chapter.

3. There are many useful ideas, tools andtips available to assist with the above at

www.ready.gov. Units are encouraged to post links to this site on their websites andhandout materials available there to their members.

The site also has a calendar available at:http://www.ready.gov/america/npm/calendar .htm.

Units may want to consider supporting localevents on the calendar or posting their ownevents that they think may be of interest tothe local community for NationalPreparedness Month.

4. We hope that you have a safe andeducational National Preparedness Month.

ANTONIO J. PINEDAMajor General, CAPCommander

The Summer 2005 Newsletter contains multiplelinks and articles on preparedness. It is primarily hurricane related, but could beconsidered for all emergency situations.



June 2006 26

Alabama Wing Comes to Auburn

On July 14-16th, twenty-one Alabama WingCAP aircraft descended upon the Robert G.

Pitts Airport at Auburn for Transit Aircraftre-fueling and crew rest on Friday afternoonand Sunday morning.

The Wing conducted a three day SAREXand Disaster Relief, Disaster Assessment,and SDIS training.

Approximately 85 hrs were flown over thisthree day event. Each disaster relief flightstasks carried a small Styrofoam ice chestwith three bottles of H20 (crew in-flight re-

hydration) simulating perishable medicalsupplies. Each sortie was given a specificnumber of airports to land at and re-ice thechest.

This required the coordination of each of thesquadrons at different airports to providetransit aircraft assistance, and aircrews werelimited to only 15 minutes on the ground. Itwas a test of piloting and navigation skills tomake all of the designated stops and be in

Auburn no later than 10:30 am CST Sundaymorning.

Friday’s flights over flew the airports theSunday crews would be landing at. OnSaturday essential Urban DF training wasconducted at the Shelby Co Airport under

the direction of Lt Col. Dennis Flowers andLt. Col Mike Husband. Aircrews got insome good DF ground training, until therains drove every one inside.

The good folks at the FBO at Auburn gaveCAP a very significant fuel discount over the three day event which allowed CAP tofly several extra hours and many moremiles.

After arriving at Auburn on Sundaymorning, the aircrews were given a shortsafety briefing and the Auburn Squadron provided a light lunch before crews departed

for home.

On the way home further piloting andnavigation skills were tested by having the pilot use only the Atlanta Sectional, a watchand the compass to navigate their wayhome. All aircraft landed at home fields ontime.

Col. Tilton, SER Commander and Col. GlenRush, SER ES Director, visited the exercise.

This was a very good training event, muchwas learned, old skills resharpened and newskills learned. All went home lookingforward to the next SAREX or real event.



June 2006 27

SAREX a Success

The Alabama Wing, Civil Air Patrol,completed at training exercise at GadsdenAirport in Gadsden, AL. Capt Stephen

Pearce was the Incident Commander intraining. Lt. Col. Dennis Flowers and LtCol Rick Hasha were the training officers.

The training simulated a ground and air search for a lost aircraft which had beenflying from Rome, GA, to Pell City, AL.Over 50 Senior members and cadets signedin and completed air and ground training.SDIS pilots flew five sorties over targets

that were designated by their director.SARX pilots flew an additional six sortiesover the search area.

Hot and humid weather did not stop themission. Most of the members who came tocomplete training missions were able to findflights and or ground sorties. While it isvery important to have enough pilots andobservers, the training received by thoseworking as Mission Staff Officers was

invaluable because when the skills arerequired by a real Search and Rescue, thewing will have trained staff members planning and analyzing the results brought back by air and ground crews.

Thanks to all of the volunteers who cameand worked.

International Air Cadet Exchange

2006

Shelby County’s Squadron Commander Lt.Col. Johnny Ward was one of fifteen CivilAir patrol officers and some 100 CAPCadets who were chosen to participate inthis year’s International Air Cadet ExchangeProgram (IACE). He was one of threeescort officers and fifteen cadets to visit the

United Kingdom (England) for just of twoweeks.

Air Commodore D. I. Harrison,Commandant of the Air Cedet program inthe United Kingdom with Group A CAP.

Lt. Col. J. Ward on the right.



The exchange included tours of London andnumerous Royal Air Force Bases, Battle of Britain, and other aviation museums.

He was able to have flights in gliders, power gliders and RAF aerobatic. Trainers. Wardsaid, “Every Alabama cadet should aim for the IACE? The CAP exchanges cadets withmany countries including, but not limited toCana, UK, Sweden the Netherlands,Germany, Australia, New Zealand,Singapore, Hong Kong, Turkey and Austria just to mention a few.

Every two years the Alabama Wing usuallyhosts a group of about six cadet plus an

Excort Officer. In 2007, with permissionfrom the Wing Commander, Alabama willagain host a group for about eleven days.Lt. Col. Ward has been Alabama’s projectofficer for IACE for twenty years.

Flying Officer Matt Teague with Lt. Col Wardin front of the Battle of Britain Memorial ChapelRAF Station Biggin Hill.

Because of the enthusiasm of the AlabamaWing, I hope to go to an every other monthnewsletter. In order to do this, squadrons need

to keep sending me ELT stories, bios on cadetswho receive awards, and anything else thatseems newsworthy or interesting.

I will use as much as I can. Please send picturesas separate attachments. Next deadline will beDecember 15, 2006.

Maj. Pat MitchamDirector of Public Affairs

alabama wing - sep 2006

Documents