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North Central Region News

Volume 2007 June

Former NCR, National Commander Iowa Wing Conducts Tornado


Honored by USAF Damage Assessment
U.S. Air Force
Col. Richard L.
Anderson, former
U.S. Civil Air Pa-
trol North Central
Region and na-
tional commander
and now a
brigadier general
in the Air Force,
has been honored
with the Legion of
Merit.
The award
recognizes Ander-
son's service as Iowa Wing responded to a call from state officials
chief of the staff after a tornado struck Muscatine, Ia, on Friday, June 1.
U.S. Air Force Col. Richard L. Iowa Wing was asked to conduct aerial damage as-
group in the Of-
Anderson (right) receives the Legion sessment and photo reconnaissance. Damage as-
fice of the Deputy
of Merit from Bruce S. Lemkin, sessment was also provided for a second tornado in
Under Secretary
deputy undersecretary of the Air Northeast Iowa, as well.
of the Air Force
Force, in a recent ceremony at the Iowa Wing provided the damage assessment the
(International Af-
Pentagon. same weekend it was providing crowd control and line
fairs), followed by
his assignment as chief of the Asia-Pacific Division in security for the Quad Cities Air Show, less than two
the same office. weeks after receiving an “Excellent” in the wing's evalu-
ated SAR,
(Continued on Page 4) and at the
In This Issue: end of a
month in
Commander's Column.................................................Page 2 which it also
Three Spaatz Awards in Region..................................Page 3 flew over 20
Units Support Memorial Day....................................... Pages 7 & 8 hours in re-
CAP Assists River Cleanup.........................................Page 7 sponse to
CAP Members Honored by Microsoft..........................Page 8
flooding
along the
Do Orientation Rides have an Impact?....................... Page 9
Nishnabotna
Members Assist at Motorcycle Accident Scene.......... Page 9
River near
Photo Essays: Red Oak. At
MNWH Training Weekend...................................Page 5 right, Congressman Steve King flies with Capt. Don
KSWG Conference..............................................Page 6 Wood to survey flood damage in SW Iowa.

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North Central Region News

South Dakota Wing Supports A Short Note from the Vice


National Guard
Col Fagan is out of touch at the time of this publication, so I’ll try to
pass along a few words of wisdom in his stead.
Lots of things are going on in our CAP business. Operationally,
Kansas, Missouri and supporting Wings have been very active with
their Disaster Relief duties, after the winds, tornadoes and flooding.
South Dakota has been very active in the western part of the state with
Fire Patrol. And watching the weather, it is sure that similar activities
will be continuing through the summer.
Please look at your Emergency Services capabilities, both Ground
and Air, to determine your true capabilities. This obviously includes
people. Daytime ES activities are pretty tough to support for most of
us day workers, especially on an urgent notice basis. I have spoken
with my boss in advance, and have been able to set up an urgent need
absence agreement if such a situation would occur. I suggest that
those who can approach their boss for a similar discussion. Often the
boss is very amenable to the idea if it is set up in advance. Also, find
out who of your members are shift workers, or work weekends with
weekdays off, or are retired and might be your first choice for urgent
missions.
Summer is the time for many training activities, especially Cadet
activities. Encampments, Leadership Schools and Flight Academies
are all coming up. I applaud all of the Cadet attendees who take time
South Dakota Wing aircraft is playing
from their summer vacations to participate, and commend all the offi-
the role of spy planes during the Joint
cers who arrange for and support these activities. Many of you take
Thunder training exercise, led by the
hard earned money and vacation to attend these activities in support
South Dakota National Guard.
of our Cadets, and you deserve high praise. Thank you.
South Dakota Army Guard units train
It’s been said lots of times, but bears repeating. Thank you all for
in the Black Hills each summer, living
all the hard work you do, often in less than desirable environments and
under field conditions. The CAP aerial
conditions. I remember a time during the flooding in North Dakota in
photography, which continues through
1997 when I was manning the CAP desk in the ND Emergency Opera-
June 22, is used by the Guard intelli-
tions Center. I was speaking with a National Guard Lt. Col., and we
gence units as part of their daily briefin-
were talking about having to get off work to support the operation. He
gs.
was amazed when I shared with him that not only did I have to take
The South Dakota wing aircraft used
vacation time, but did not get paid for the time spent!! Not to take
the SDIS system, to return photos while
away anything from our partners in what we do, but you are the TRUE
the aircraft was still in flight, as well as
volunteers.
delivering CDs with compiled photogra-
Semper Vigilans
phy to the Joint Thunder intelligence
team.
Tom Weston, Col, CAP
Above, CAP cameras observed a
NCR/CV
power generating plant on the west side
of Rapid City, SD.
The North Central Region News is published
Missouri Wing Administrator monthly by North Central Region, Civil Air Patrol,
Selected Lt.Col. Mike Marek, editor and NCR/PAO; Col. Sean
P. Fagan, Region Commander.
After a lengthy interview process, a
new Missouri Wing Administrator has Please send submissions by the 10th of each month
been selected. to:
Todd Kirkendall, USAF Retired, ac-
cepted the position and started April pao@ncr.cap.gov
30.

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North Central Region News

Kansas Cadet Receives Spaatz, Multiple Minnesota Air National Guard Chief of
Awards Staff Presents Spaatz Awards

Brigadier General William Schuessler, Chief of


Staff of the Minnesota Air National Guard, presented
Cadet Captains Joshua Waddell, Viking Composite
Squadron and Nathan Wozniak, Northland Compos-
ite Squadron, with the General Carl A. Spaatz award
Cadet Daniel Metcalf received the General Carl A. during Minnesota Wing’s recent annual conference.
Spaatz award as well as the Academic Excellence The award, Civil Air Patrol’s highest cadet honor, is
Award, the VFW Officer of the Year Award, a Recruiting presented to cadets who have demonstrated excel-
Award, and the Eaker awards during Kansas City Com- lence in leadership, character, fitness, and
posite Squadron’s awards and charter ceremony in May. aerospace education.
Metcalf is only the second Kansas cadet to earn the The Spaatz Award is the final milestone in a CAP
grade of Cadet Colonel in 14 years. Presenting the cadet's career. It is earned after completing a rigor-
award to Cadet Colonel Metcalf was Maj. General ous four-part exam consisting of a challenging physi-
Steven R. McCamy. cal fitness test, an essay exam testing their moral
Cadet Metcalf joined Civil Air Patrol at the age of 11 reasoning, a comprehensive written exam on leader-
as a Cadet Basic Airman and worked his way to Cadet ship, and a comprehensive written exam on
Colonel less than five years. Cadet Metcalf enjoys the aerospace education. Since the award’s inception in
three elements of Civil Air Patrol, which are Cadet Pro- 1964, Civil Air Patrol has presented the Spaatz
grams, Aerospace, and Search and Rescue. Award to just 45 Minnesota cadets.

CAP Bill Awaits Missouri Governor's Signature


A bill awaits Missouri Governor Matt Blunt’s signature that would recognize Missouri Wing members as state
employees when performing state-funded missions, specifically for workers compensation and liability coverage.
The Missouri Senate passed the bill 34-0 and the House had earlier approved the measure 157-1. CAP mem-
bers are already covered by similar federal statutes when participating in federally-funded missions.
“This has been a herculean task requiring many hours of work by the Committee over the last year,” said Maj.
David A. Miller, chairman of the wing’s Legislative Committee and the wing’s Group II commander. “I am indebt-
ed to each and every member of the Committee for their perseverance and hard work on behalf of our bill and
the people of Missouri. It has been an honor to work with them. They have truly shown me what this wing is ca-
pable of.”
Along with Miller, the Missouri Wing’s Legislative Committee consists of Col. Emmit Williams, wing chief of
staff; Lt. Cols. Ted Forester of the Central Missouri Composite Squadron, Randy Fuller of Wing Headquarters
and Gene Rugh of the Wentzville Composite Squadron; Maj. David Plum of Missouri Wing Group I Headquar-
ters; Capt. James Williams of North Missouri Flight; 1st Lt. Michael Smith of the Mid Rivers Senior Squadron;
and 2nd Lt. Matthew Copple of the Northland Composite Squadron.
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North Central Region News

ELT Located in Missouri Wing


Responding to Air Force Rescue Coordi-
nation Center mission 07M0910, members
of Missouri Wing's Group II located an ELT
in a Cessna 140 at Creve Coeur airport in
Creve Coeur, Missouri, on 2 June 2007.
The aircraft had just completed its annual
the day before, including an ELT check.
The ground team consisted of Lt. Col.
John Otradovec and 2nd Lt. Tim Dexter of
Mid Rivers Senior Squadron, and 2nd Lt.
Scott Schwab of Gateway Senior Squadron.
Air crew on standby were Maj. Frank
Szachta and Lt. Col. Thomas (Gene) Rond Minnesota Training Day a Resounding Success
of Gateway Senior Squadron. Lt. Col. Car-
olyn Rice, Group II and Group IV emergen- The Minnesota Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) geared up for
cy services officer, served as incident com- another busy summer season with a search and rescue exercise
mander. (SAREX) held May 18-20 in Willmar, Minn.
The hands-on exercise allowed CAP air and ground compo-
Anderson Award nents to train together in a variety of search and rescue missions.
(Continued from Page 1) CAP is sometimes called upon by local, state and national authori-
ties to assist during crises.
In the latter capacity, Anderson led a “This training exercise provided a cooperative environment for
dozen Air Force officers responsible to the both CAP ground and air crews that met at the Willmar Airport,”
secretary of the Air Force for building and said Major Chet Wilberg, SAREX incident commander. “The train-
sustaining relationships with the air forces ing scenarios challenged participants to react to potentially real
of 43 countries in the Asia-Pacific Theater life situations.”
of Operations. CAP members participating in the exercise ranged from 12-
Anderson now serves in the Office of year-old cadets to adult members using electronic direction find-
the Secretary of Defense as military assis- ing, scene management and land navigation skills developed and
tant to the deputy under secretary of de- practiced throughout the year as part of learning the fundamentals
fense (Technology Security and National of search and rescue.
Disclosure). Minnesota CAP aircraft flew 70 air sorties in the Willmar area
As a CAP member, he serves on the while ground teams responded to another eight calls for assis-
National Headquarters staff as deputy chief tance during the exercise. Up to 10 aircraft and nearly 50 CAP
of staff for strategic missions, overseeing members participated daily.
CAP national missions in Homeland Securi- “Each response component is highly qualified and has varied
ty, Border Patrol, Counter Drug, Air De- expertise when it comes to responding to a request,” Wilberg said.
fense Support, Advanced Technology, Fed- “Bringing all of that expertise together in a setting like this allows
eral Liaison and the Federal Emergency for a free flow of information and it strengthens our response ca-
Management Agency. pabilities. This exercise was a resounding success.”

Senior Program Dates to Remember


Here are some of the key 2007 Professional Development academic courses for adult members:
✔ NCR Staff College, 24-29 June, Offutt AFB, registration $75.
✔ National PAO Academy, 7-8 August, Atlanta.
✔ National Board, 9-11 August, Atlanta.
✔ National Staff College, 13-20 October 2007, Maxwell AFB, AL.

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North Central Region News

Elk River man MNWG


Senior Member of the Year

The Minnesota Wing SAR Captain Andrew Bosshart of Elk


May 18-20 River, a member of the Anoka
County Composite Squadron of the
Civil Air Patrol (CAP), is the Min-
nesota Wing’s Senior Member of
the Year.
“Through his outstanding efforts
the Anoka Squadron Color Guard
Team won the Minnesota Wing
competition and the North Central
Region competition, and the team
competed at National Cadet Com-
petition in Washington, DC in
2006,” said Col. Steve Miller, wing
commander. “He also raised funds,
arranged tours in Washington, and
recruited a chaperon to make the
trip a success for the cadets.”
Capt Bosshart obtained the do-
nation of an $800 aircraft radio for
the Anoka Squadron van, and
equipped the van with a public ad-
dress system, light bar, and a radio
rack, to make the van more emer-
gency services capable. He has
also trained 12 new ground team
members to assist with search and
rescue (SAR) missions.
Bosshart has participated in
many SAR missions and has
achieved his Ground Team Leader,
as well as aircraft Scanner, and
Observer ratings.
“Captain Bosshart’s accomplish-
ments are indicative of his drive, as
well as his high level of commit-
ment, dedication and unselfish de-
sire to serve the people of his com-
munity, state and nation,” Miller
said.
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North Central Region News

Kansas Wing Above, Justin Trisler Cadet


Conference NCO of the Year; left, Squadron
Commander of Year Ron Schle-
Above, Col Roger Donlon sener; below, Rick Franz, Logis-
(ret), Medal of Honor Winner tics Officer of the year

Above, Levi Lap-


ping Cadet of the
Year; right, Squadron
of Merit, Emporia
Composite Squadron;
left, the POW MIA Re-
membrance Ceremo-
ny.

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North Central Region News

Cass County Squadron Assists River Cleanup


Twelve cadets and senior mem-
bers from Missouri's Cass County
Composite Squadron assisted in the
17th annual Project Blue River Res-
cue, throughout the Kansas City
Metro area.
Close to 350 volunteers through-
out the metro area helped clean the
river which crosses ten cities and
three counties. The Kansas City Star
reported about 600 tires, a kitchen
counter, containers of used oil, a ho-
tel key and a gun were a few items
collected throughout the day. The
most common articles of trash were
milk jugs, water bottles, liquor bottles
and convenience store cups. Lake-
side Nature Center sponsors the
event with the cooperation of several companies and government agencies.
Cadets and senior members participating were: Josh Hargis, Kyle Cass, EJ Wilson, Karra Miller, Josh Good-
man, Blake Goodman, Austin Hooper, Aaron Hooper, Michael Hargis, Melinda Berry, Tony Belto, and Tammi
Miller.
Pictured above are Josh Hargis, Melinda Berry, Kyle Cass, Aaron Hooper, and Josh Goodman.

Valley Composite Squadron Supports Two Memorial Day Ceremonies


Valley Composite Squadron of Minnesota
Wing participated in two Memorial Day cele-
brations, one in Burnsville, and the other in
Apple Valley. The Valley Squadron Color
Guard presented the colors to open the
Burnsville Ceremony at the Bi-Centennial
Park. Members of the Color Guard then laid a
wreath at the Blue Star Memorial marker in
the park.
Since the end of World War II, the Blue
Star Memorial markers have served as a
symbol for “All to See, Lest we forget, Those
who help to keep us free.”
The Valley contingent then moved to the
Apple Valley American Legion Post 1776.
There, Cadet DiCosimo participated in the
POW/MIA table presentation, and Cadet
Mark Albrecht did a reading of “Ragged Old
Flag,” as a member of the delegation to Boys
State from Apple Valley High School.
Valley Squadron members who participat-
ed in the days events included Capt. Janelle
Gates, 1Lt Richard Geis, 1Lt Paul Butche,
1Lt Norine Olson, 2d Lt Russ Olson, Cadets Mark Albrecht, Tim Blesi, Sam DiCosimo, Paul Estes, Conor
Loerzel, and Kaelyn Olson.

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North Central Region News

CAP Members honored by


Microsoft for Volunteer Efforts
Two North Dakota Wing members, Lt. Col. Erik Ludlow,
Director of Cadet Programs, and Maj Jay Manley, Red Riv-
er Valley Senior Squadron Commander, were recognized
at the Microsoft All-Hands Fargo company meeting for their
commitment of time CAP. Microsoft noted that the com-
bined time Ludlow and Manley spent on CAP totaled 25%
of all time entered for all Fargo-based employees.
“Across all Fargo employees of Microsoft, 5000 hours
were recorded,” Manley said, “so it’s pretty easy to see
how much impact Erik and I have had to that number with
both of us entering over 1000 hours each. Since Microsoft
gives us $17/hour of donated time, you can see how this greatly affects our squadrons. The squadrons have
used the funds to defray the costs of equipment, provide additional training, and allow us to provide services and
programs for our members that we were unable to do before.” Microsoft has donated close to $25,000 to Civil
Air Patrol squadrons on behalf of Maj Manley and Lt. Col. Ludlow since the program’s inception in October,
2005.
Maj Manley and Lt. Col. Ludlow gave a token of their appreciation to Microsoft, on behalf of North Dakota
Wing by presenting Doug Burgum and Don Morton an plaque from the local squadrons. “Microsoft Money” has
gone to enhance search and rescue efforts in North Dakota by allowing the squadrons to purchase state of the
art GPS systems for air and ground, computers, software, paying for local practice missions, and allowing the
squadrons to sponsor cadets when they wanted to attend summer programs like space camp, encampment,
flight encampment, national cadet competition and many other activities cadets could not have otherwise attend-
Minnesota Wing Helps Remember Heroes
On a day as bright as peace, as breezy as lib-
erty, more than 4,200 veterans came from all over
Minnesota and from all over the world Saturday,
June 9 to dedicate the state’s World War II
Memorial in St. Paul. Members of Minnesota
Wing were there to help.
"It was a great day and we were proud to be a
part of it," said Capt Andy Bosshart, a member of
the Anoka County Composite Squadron, whose
members marshaled vintage WWII aircraft as part
of a fly over of the state Capitol.
More than 326,000 Minnesotans served in the
armed forces of the United States during World War II. Only about 47,000 veterans of the war remain in the
state today, and as they reach their 80s and 90s the casualty rate is high. More than 6,000 Minnesotans gave
their lives during the war, and their names were read aloud during a roll call of heroes.
“Everything we enjoy today --- security, prosperity and the ability to enjoy freedom --- was bought with the
price of their service,” Gov. Tim Pawlenty told a crowd estimated at 22,000. “They set aside their dreams so we
could live ours.”
During the event, 18 vintage bombers and fighters roared overhead to the delight of the crowd. The planes
made their way there from the nearby Anoka Airport.
“Likely we will never have that many of that type of aircraft in one place, much less in the air at one time,”
Bosshart said. “To have CAP provide the marshaling was the ultimate compliment to say the least. The cadet
marshaling was flawless. I’m so proud of them.”
CAP members joined veterans, families and friends to inspect the $1 million memorial whose panels traced
the early years of the war to the eventual victory. Standing sentry at the memorial is the gun from the U.S.S.
Ward, the ship manned largely by sailors from St. Paul that fired America's first shot in World War II -- at a
Japanese mini-submarine trying to sneak into Pearl Harbor before the attack.
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North Central Region News

Do Orientation Rides have an Impact? Missouri Wing Members


Assist Injured Motorcyclist
Several cadets from the Springfield Regional Com-
posite squadron experienced their first O-rides recently, Returning from a weekend training event, members
thanks to Lt. Raun Hamilton. Here, in her own words, is of the Missouri Wing Headquarters and Trail of Tears
an essay from one of those cadets. Composite Squadron were the first to arrive at a mo-
torcycle accident and cared for the injured rider until
Weightless EMS personnel arrived.
by Cadet A1C Lauren Faulkner The alert driver of CAP the van, 1st Lt. Klaus
Mueller, identified the accident as a motorcycle off the
This previous weekend I (along with Cadet Cunning- road in a culvert. Without hesitation, he slowed the
ham and Cadet Schwartz) got to experience an official van and parked safely on the highway shoulder.
O-Ride in a Cessna 172. I will never forget how nervous Mueller, Lt. Col. Cindy Bleichroth and 1st Lt. Tim
I was, afraid that I would accidentally do something that Bleichroth grabbed the van’s first aid gear and headed
would endanger the lives of the three other people across the highway leaving 1st Lt. Sarah Bohnert in
aboard. However, I did not have anything to fear. Lt. charge of the van and six cadets from the Trail of
Hamilton walked me through step-by-step to show me Tears Composite Squadron.
what to do before takeoff, while in the air, and so on. I Lt. Bleichroth assessed the condition of the injured
was a little upset about having to get up at six o'clock rider. Lt. Col. Bleichroth secured the gasoline leaking
on a Saturday, but I was to have the experience of a from the overturned motorcycle and turned the engine
lifetime! I remember looking over the pre-flight check off. All three officers turned their attention to the rider
list, wondering what this meant and what this did. Lt. who was initially confused and dazed by the accident.
Hamilton did an excellent job of explaining everything. Cervical spine stabilization was initiated with help from
Finally, the moment came. We heard him talking to a passing EMT who stopped to assist. An obviously
the tower, requesting permission to take off. One mo- deformed and painful wrist was splinted and immobi-
ment, we were taxiing and the next, we were in the sky! lized as a probable fracture. A nose injury and facial
I remember looking down and seeing the Springfield/ lacerations were cleaned and dressed. Although com-
Branson Airport dropping away from us at an amazing plaints of chest and back pain revealed a history of re-
rate. We flew over Springfield, and then took a little de- cent open heart surgery, the rider was otherwise sta-
tour so we could look around the Branson area. I was ble and made comfortable.
so happy to think just how lucky I was to get to experi- EMS personnel arrived about 25 minutes later. In
ence this, and to learn first hand! After our detour, we light of the victim’s heart surgery and chest pain com-
continued on to Point Lookout Airport. The landing was plaints, he was airlifted via helicopter to a Springfield
probably the best part for me because of the way it jos- hospital where orthopedic and cardiology specialists
tled my insides. It reminded me of a roller-coaster. were available. While waiting for the helicopter to ar-
There, we (Cadets Cunningham, Schwartz, and my- rive, Lt. Mueller assisted the police in reconstructing
self) were allowed to look around as long as we the accident using his CAP trained observation skills.
checked in with our Senior Members every once in a The cadets established the helicopter’s landing
while. site. All six cadets had attended NESA and were fully
At the air show, we saw the equivalent of home- ground team member trained.
made planes. It was so remarkable how much time and “Being in uniform, others stopping to help looked to
effort people would put into something to benefit them- us for instruction and reassurance, and though initially
selves and others in the long run. (Not to mention a lot mistaken for 'the Army,' our blue badges were ulti-
of fun!) I find it funny how I can't work a toaster correct- mately recognized as Civil Air Patrol,” said Lt. Col. Ble-
ly and yet people have the discipline and the knowledge ichroth. “The first responders and police on the scene
to assemble a working airplane. were appreciative and respectful of our assistance. It
While we were looking around, we met Cadet was a rewarding experience for us, and reinforced that
Stephan and continued on with our expedition with him our work and training are paying off.”
explaining what this was, what that material was, and Other Trail of Tears Composite Squadron cadets
so on. I think how amazing it is that we have the power assisting included: cadet 1st Lt. Sam Reihn; cadet 2nd
to master almost anything when we put our minds to it. Lt. Nathan Harmon; cadet CMSgts. Arielle Bohnert,
I will never forget how amazing the sensation was, Larry Hohman, and David Uptmor; and cadet MSgt.
soaring through the air, not having a care in the world, Kaleb Standridge.
as if I was completely weightless.

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