St. Croix Composite Squadron Minnesota Wing Civil Air Patrol U.S.

Air Force Auxiliary

The Aviator Newsletter

Upcoming Minnesota Wing Events
MNWG Basic Cadet Training School @ 130th Squadron 05 November 2010 Veterans Day Color Guard Presentation @ Woodbury, MN. 11 November 2010 Corporate Learning Course (CLC) @ Burnsville City Hall 19 November 2010 Staff Selection Exercise (SSE) at Camp Ripley, Little Falls, MN. 03 December 2010 Map & compass training at luth Squadron (DLH) December 2010 Du09

Together We Prevail
November 2010 - Volume 24, Issue 6
hard earned achievement awards. The first award was for achieving his senior pilot wings! When a Civil Air Patrol (CAP) pilot logs over 1,000 hours in his log book, he is entitled to wear a star over his CAP Pilot wings which represents this milestone achieved. Not many pilots who are not either career military or commercial pilots have the opportunities to log this many hours in their log book. Not only is Capt. Yost a very busy Squadron Commander, but he is also a CFII, Cadet Orientation pilot, Mission
(L-R) Group 3 Commander, Lt. Col. Richard Johnson & St. Croix Squadron Commander Capt. David Yost

Covers Events from Sept / Oct 2010

Commander Marks Two Aviation Milestones

In a brief ceremony at the weekly squadron meeting, Squadron Commander Capt. David Yost received a pleasant surprise. With the skill of a covert operation, a few of the members under the direction of the squadrons operations officer, Maj. Stefan Sylvander decided to give our hard working squadron commander a pleasant surprise of our own. Under the cover of presenting two cadets with their Wright Brothers Awards, MNWG. Group 3 Commander, Lt. Col. Richard Johnson was invited to present to Capt. Yost two of his pilot, MNWG Instructor pilot, CAP Form 5 & 91 pilot as well.

Winter Survival Training at TBA 07 January 2011.

Inside this issue:

St. Croix Commander Marks Two Aviation Milestones! Cadets of the Month for September & October 2010 St. Croix Celebrates a Double Wright Brothers Awards! St. Croix Senior Achieves Grover Loening Award! St. Croix Welcomes a New Cadet Commander! St. Croix Senior Receives National Public Affairs Award! St. Croix & St. Paul Squadrons Celebrate First Curry Camp!

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Capt. Yost was also awarded a certificate of achievement for reaching 50 cadet orientation flights! Congratulations from the entire St. Croix Squadron!

Cadets of the Month for Sept. & Oct. 2010!

Earlier this spring, the St. Croix Squadron cadet corps had decided to resurrect an old squadron tradition of celebrating a Cadet of the Month. This is a special recognition for those cadets who excel above an beyond the expectations and who set an example of achievement for all other cadets to strive for. The St. Croix Squadron would like to acknowledge the Cadet of the Month for September 2010 was C/Amn. Dexter Colton & for October 2010 was C/Amn. Valeriya Kolyadenko. These two cadets are the fine example for what can be achieved when you focus and work hard for this recognition.! On behalf of the Squadron Commander and the staff of the St. Croix Squadron, well done!

The Aviator Newsletter

St. Croix Has Double Wright Brothers Awards

On 02 September 2010, the St. Croix Squadron had cause to celebrate a double Wright Brothers Award. Cadets Mohammad Battah & Ryan Malcolm have both worked hard to make this milestone achievement in their advancement through the cadet program. The senior staff had invited our Minnesota Wing, Group 3 commander, Lt. Col. Richard Johnson to present two of our cadets with their Wright Brothers Awards. Along with a promotion to Cadet Staff Sergeant (C/SSgt.) the Wright Brothers award (L-R) C/SSgt. Ryan Malcolm receives his Wright Brothers Award from Grp. 3 Commander Lt. Col Dick Johnson This is the milestone in crossing from the learning phase to the leadership phase of the program. The cadet program has four phases to its achievesignifies a milestone in a Civil Air Patrol (CAP) cadets career. ment process. Learning, leadership, command & executive phases of the program. Cadets will encounter many challenges and promotions on their journey through the cadet Non Commissioned Officer (NOC) grades as they proceed through the leadership program. Once they achieve the high levels of the NCO program and they are ready to advance to the Command phase, a promotion to Cadet Second Lieutenant (C/2d.Lt.) and the Gen. Billy Mitchell Award is achieved/ Congratulations and well done!

Aviation is proof, that given the will, man has the ability to achieve the Impossible!

St. Croix Senior Earns Grover Loening Award!

On 17 July 2010, Capt . Jay Sliwinski completed his level 3 of the senior member program and earned the Grover Loening Award. This award recognizes those senior members who have dedicated themselves to leadership and personal growth within the Civil Air Patrol professional development program. This award was first given in 1964 and honors the late Grover Loening. A noted aviation pioneer, he was the first civilian member of the National Air & Space museums advisory board. Civil Air Patrol is the official Auxiliary of the United States Air Force, CAP has a three fold mission which includes Emergency Services, Cadet Programs and Aerospace Education. (L-R) Grp. 3 Commander, Lt. Col.. Richard Johnson presents Grover Loening Award to Capt. Jay Sliwinski The Grover Loening Award is the third in a series of ever increasing milestones. A senior member must have received the Civil Air Patrols certificate of proficiency, and have served in a staff or command assignment for over at least one year. CAP professional development provides technical skills and leadership to senior members 18 years of age and over to support CAPs missions. Members must have also completed the Corporate Learning Course (CLC) and attend at least two Wing, Region or National conferences. Out of Civil Air Patrols 35,000 senior members, only about 350 earn the Grover Loening Award each year. Receipt of this award and completion of rank and time in grade also makes the member eligible to be promoted to the rank of Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Major. Capt. Jay Sliwinski is currently the St. Croix Squadron Deputy Commander for Cadets and has been doing a great job at this assignment. Capt. Sliwinski is also a former Spaatz Cadet in the Civil Air Patrol program which gives him a special insights. On behalf of the Squadron Commander and all the membership, Congratulations!

- Eddie Rickenbacker

Page 2

The Aviator Newsletter

St. Croix Squadron Welcomes a New Cadet Commander!

On Thursday night 30 September 2010 the St. Croix Squadron observed the time honored tradition of the Cadet Change of Command. The Change of Command signifies the end of one era and the beginning of another. More often than not, it also signals a new renewal in the progress of events and achievements within the squadron. This ceremony was presided over by the St. Croix Squadron commander, Capt. David Yost. The outgoing Cadet Commander, C/CMSgt Vince Peterson passed command over to the incoming Cadet Commander, C/2d.Lt. Grady Bell in the U.S. Air Force traditions of this time-honored ceremony and is one of the most formal of all U.S. Air Force ceremonies conducted. After a brief exchange of the CAP Squadron flag, which is the symbol of command, is passed from one commander to the next showing the relinquishment and acceptance of command. Some of the dignitaries in attendance this night was, Grp. 3 Commander, Lt. Col. Richard Johnson, MNWG director of cadet programs, Capt. Susan Blessman, MNWG chaplain Lt. Col. Donald Mikita, Cadets from North Hennepin Squadron, Woodbury VFW Post 9024 Commander, Bob Fritsche.

Thats not Flying thats falling with Style!

- Woody talking about Buzz Lightyear from the 1996 Movie Toy Story.

(L-R) C/2d.Lt. Grady Bell & C/ CMSgt. Vince Peterson Congratulations to New St. Croix Cadet Commander, C/2d.Lt. Grady Bell!

St. Croix Senior Receives Public Affairs Award!

In a brief presentation after the Cadet Change of Command ceremony at the St. Croix Squadron hangar, Capt. David Yost had presented 1st. Lt. Scott Richardson with a CAP Public Affairs Award This award was originally presented at the CAP National Convention held in San Diego, California in early September 2010. 1st. Lt. Richardson was the 2010 Maj. Howell Balsem Public Affairs Award for Excellence in the area of Newsletter category for the Aviator Newsletter. The Maj. Howell Balsem Public Affairs Award was named in honor of the Air Force Major considered by Civil Air Patrols historians to be the first CAP Public Affairs Officer to serve CAP at the national level in the 1950s. The Maj. Howell Balsem CAP Public Affairs exceptional achievement awards competition provides PAOs with the opportunity for recognition of outstanding achievements in variety of categories. point presentation, website & writing for the media. There are also three award levels for each category and they are; First place is the Maj. Howell Balsem Award, Award of Excellence & Certificate of Merit. The Public Affairs program includes those activities which are designed to tell the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) story to both the public and CAP members, as well as how CAP fits into the local community. Public Affairs could very well be explained as covering tomorrows history, today. On behalf of the Squadron Commander and the entire St. Croix Squadron, Congratulations go out to 1st. Lt. Scott Richardson for this National award, and keep up the good work!

(L-R) Capt. David Yost presents 2010 CAP Maj. Howell Balsem Award of Excellence to 1st. Lt. Scot Richardson The eight categories for this award are; brochure / posters & fliers, event promotion / Crisis management, media coverage of CAP, newsletters, photography, slide /power

Page 3

Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond

The Cadet Commanders Corner Cadet Goals for end of 2011

Here are 5 basic goals I am proposing to be completed by the end of 2011 for the St. Croix squadron cadets who are eligible . I believe these are attainable and with a little bit of work by all members we can achieve these together. 1. All cadets to have their GT3. 2. All cadets to promote every 90 days. 3. All cadets to complete at least orientation flight. 4. All cadets who are eligible in 2011 to attend MNWG encampment. 5. All cadets who are eligible in 2011 to attend MNWG NCOS or BOCS. The mission of CAP cadet programs is it strives to be a quality that enhances the leadership skills of cadets. As cadets climb the leadership ladder they acquire leadership skills which will be vital to them the rest of their lives. Cadets need to recognize this fact and take advantage of what this program has to offer each and every one of them. CAP provides them opportunities which they would not be able to do normally. Cadets will develop leadership skills & experiences they will impact their lives for years to come. Here is to a successful 2011! Cadet Commander, C/2d.Lt. Grady Bell

Promotions & Awards

Curry Camp Cadets Valeriya Kolyadenko Jomah Branovsky Quong-Troc D Vu Justis Czarnik Brandon Duetsch Nathan Holle Grant Starr Ryan Malcolm Mohammad Battah Zachary Langer Alex Swanson Noah Hite Ethan Pike Michael Weston C/Amn. C/Amn. C/Amn. C/Amn. C/Amn. C/Amn. C/A1C. C/SSgt. C/SSgt. C/SSgt. C/MSgt. C/SMSgt. C/CMSgt. C/CMSgt. C/2d.Lt.

St. Croix & St. Paul Host First Curry Camp!

In a two day intensive training schedule, the St. Croix and St. Paul squadrons pulled together and conducted their first ever joint Curry Camp. Curry Camp was designed to help new cadets to Civil Air Patrol (CAP) wade through all of the basic information and training necessary to achieve their first stripe. When a cadet achieves their first stripe to Airman, they also earn the Gen. J.F. Curry Award and ribbon. With the leadership and planning of both squadrons deputy commanders for cadets, Capt. Jay Sliwinski & 1st.Lt. Amy Pahr, our first joint Curry Camp was conceived and implemented as the brain-child of these two leaders. With the combined logistical abilities of both squadrons, this event was hosted by the St. Croix Squadron on 08 & 09 October 2010 with a brief graduation ceremony at the end of the training camp. A total of 12 cadets had signed up for the challenge of this two day camp designed to push and test the metal of all cadets who participated. This two day camp was about learning Emergency Services, Communications, Moral Leadership, Drill & physical training, customs and courtesy's and cadet protection policies. By the end of the two day training session and a late Saturday night the graduation ceremony was a welcomed final event. In the presence of their parents and friends, the 12 Curry Camp graduates had a brief ceremony which was held in the St. Croix hangar each cadet received a promotion to Cadet Airman (C/Amn.) and their JF. Curry Certificates.

New Members
New Cadet & Senior Members: C/AB. Matt Heutmaker C/AB. Kyle Reinsberg SM. Susan Rogers C/AB. Forbes Gefre C/AB. Doug Vetter C/AB. Jacob Kummer C/AB. Brooke Menard C/AB. Joy Horn 13 Sept 10 13 Sept 10 14 Sept 10 22 Sept 10 22 Sept 10 29 Sept 10 01 Oct 10 14 Oct 10

Member Count: 84
Seniors 37 & Cadets 47

(L-R) Kyle Reinsberg, Alan Larson, Joy Horn, Emily Esser, Jonathan Wolff, Nathan Heitala, Forbes Gefre, Sean Blaeser, Rebecca Rogers, Doug Vetter, Jacob Kummer, Robert Moser. Congratulations!

St. Croix Composite Squadron Minnesota Wing Civil Air Patrol U.S. Air Force Auxiliary 3275 Manning Ave. North Box #9, Hangar 39E Lake Elmo, MN. 55042 651-773-1210 www.stcroix.mncap.org

Squadron Commander:
David W. Yost Capt., CAP. YostDW@comcast.net

Next Issue:
January 2011 Cadets of the Month Awards & Promotions MNWG ES Training Color Guard Events Wreaths Across America Other events & stories

Editor:
Scott A. Richardson, 1st.Lt. CAP Public Affairs Officer pao-stx-cap@comcast.net 651-387-2518