The Official Newsletter of Minnesota Wing – January 2003

SM Robert Leslie This milestone makes me wonder how it

From the Viking Voice Newsletter
December17th 2003 will mark the 100th
anniversary of powered flight.
As the year goes on we will be hearing
more and more about the past and what
effect it has had on the present. As we all
know there has been vast improvements in
the aviation field and it makes us wonder
what the Wright Brothers would think about
if they could see it now.
For us, 120 feet is barely enough to get
some airplanes up to full power let alone
get the air-craft off the ground.
must have felt to been the first in aviation
to try things. For instance.. How scary
would have been the first flight into clouds.
How about at night when city lights were
not all over the place. Then thinking about
how to navigate besides close to the
ground and trying to figure out what city
water tower said that you passed. What we
take for granted when the planes we fly are
much more advanced then what the
pioneers would have even dreamed of.
If you want to learn more about the first
flight or even more about events that are
going to happen here in Minnesota to
celebrate the milestone go to:
http://www.firstcenturyofflight.com.

Minnesota Wing, CAP WingTIps January 2003 Page 1


Mission Chaplain Training
Minnesota Wing Chaplain Tom Boyer hosted a
seminar to train Chaplain Service personnel in the
Mission Chaplain role.
16 CAP personnel attended the training 3 January
2003 at Fleming Field, St Paul, Minnesota.
The training emphasized he Incident Command
System and was prompted by the Homeland
Security role Civil Air Patrol.
The instructors were Lt Col Stan Kegel, MN Wing
Emergency Services Director and Ch., Lt Col, Don
Mikitta, Wing Deputy Chaplain/ES. C/2d Lt Chris
Reichert provided support in helping the personnel
that needed to complete the CAPT 116.
As a result of the training seminar 11 North Central
Region Chaplains completed the requirements and
request were submitted to grant them the rating of
Mission Chaplain.
North Hennepin Squadron
Celebrates 60th Anniversary
On 12 DEC 2002, Captain Marcel Derosier made
the introductory presentation at North Hennepin
Squadron's 60th Anniversary Celebration held in
conjunction with its annual holiday banquet. Over
one hundred cadets, senior members, parents and
family members attended the catered event at the
Golden Valley American Legion.
Those that attended were treated to an in-depth
presentation that reviewed the growth of the unit
over the 60 year period.
Major Tom Kettell, Group 3 Commander, noted that
North Hennepin Squadron is one of the most active
squadron's in the area According to Major Kettell,
North Hennepin pilots routinely fly, North Hennepin
cadets are represented at CAP activities, and its
award winning Color Guard is held in high regard.
Major Kettell cited the contributions of Captains
Broome and Derosier, and Lt. Steeves, whose
tireless efforts have made North Hennepin
Squadron what it is.
Major Kettell reminded the attendees, "We are at
war against factions who wish us harm." Kettell
indicated that CAP will have a role in homeland
security. In order to prepare for that role, Major
Kettell challenged members to "go once step
further."
Major Kettell exhorted members to upgrade,
recommending that all scanners become observers,
and that members fully avail themselves of
Minnesota Wing, CAP WingTIps January 2003
numerous opportunities for professional
development provided by CAP.
Second Lieutenant Joel Stepanek
Named Senior of the Year
Captain Rod Broome noted that after difficult
deliberation North Hennepin Squadron Command
Staff selected 2d Lt Joel Stepanek as Senior of the
Year. Captain Broome noted that Lt. Stepanek was
responsible for the capital improvements that have
been successfully undertaken at North Hennepin
Squadron. Lieutenant Stepanek spent numerous
volunteer hours on weekends completing
improvement projects. In addition, Lieutenant
Stepanek has provided senior member leadership
at a number of cadet functions.
Cadet Niel Mahrota Earns Coveted
Ira C. Eaker Award
Cadet Niel Mahrotra, who is currently attending
Princeton University, received the coveted Ira C.
Eakeraward. Cadet Mahrota received Award
number1001. The fact that only 1001 of these
certificates have been issued in the history of CAP
reflects the level of effort involved in achieving this
award.
Cadet Promotions
• Kelsey Brenan, Niel Starks, Allister
Stutsman, Arron Novitsky, and Chris
Novitsky were promoted from Airman to
Cadet Airman First Class.
• Patrick Anderson, Matthew Petersen, Amy
Brenan, Mike Fellman, Nathan Kahn, Niel
Moosaije, and Emily Vinge were promoted
from Cadet Airman First Class to Cadet
Senior Airman.
• Cadet Airman First Class Jeremy Jedlicka
was promoted to Cadet Staff Sergeant.
• Cadet Senior Master Sergeant Amy
Broekema and Amy Her were promoted to
Cadet Chief Master Sergeant.
Cadet Promotions
Major Kettell and Captain Derosier both exhorted
senior members, cadets and parents to become
involved and engaged in CAP operations. North
Hennepin Composite Squadron has experienced
considerable qualitative and quantitative
improvement through the last year under the
direction of Captain Derosier, Captain Broome and
Lieutenant Steeves. The goal for next year will be
maintaining and hopefully augmenting 2002's
momentum.
Page 2
Sobolewski selected as It's great to see all these units participating.
CTG Commander Now let's get 100% completion.

C/Capt Lori Sobo Lewski of Anoka Ssquadron hs Minnesota

been selected as the Commander of the 5th Cadet Duluth Comp Sq
Training Group (CTG). Anoka Comp
The CTG is a cadet led organization that is the
Viking Comp Sq
structure for the Cadet Encampment. Consisting of St. Paul Comp Sq
2 Training Squadrons, Mission Support Squadron Southeast MN Comp
(Cadet Support Staff) and a Staff Development Red Wing Comp
Squadron. The CTG’s mission is to provide the North Star
most meaningful week of training in a CAP Cadet’s
“career.” St. Croix Sq
Fort Snelling Cadet Sq
“There were two applicants for the position, making Valley Cadet
the decision more difficult. C/Capt Sobolewski's North Hennepin Sq
previous encampment command staff experience, Northwest MN Comp Sq
and success in holding an Encampment Prep
School in 2002 were compelling reasons to appoint
130 th Comp Sq
her as the 5th CTG Commander.” Said Major Doug
Kilian, 2003 Encampment Commander. Col Kevin Sliwinski
Wing DAE
Anoka Cadet earns spot on
USAFA Dean’s List Around the Wing:
I would like to congratulate Cadet Chelsea Herzfeld
who made the Dean's List at the USAF Academy
for the first semester. That is a major feat and we
are all very proud of Chelsea at the Anoka Sqdn.

Lt Col Michael Moen

St Paul Officer Earns His Wings

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate
Lt. John Vadnais of St. Paul Squadron for
successful completion of his Private Pilot checkride
on Monday January 13, 2003. His tenacious st
1 Lt Randy Terpstra received his Yeager Aerospace
persistence has paid off on the realization of a life Education Award from Col Hoium in January.
long dream.

Congratulations John !

Lt Col Tom Woods

St Paul Sqdn/DO

Minnesota Wing Units Take Part in

AEX Program

The following is the final list of Minnesota

units enrolled in the Aerospace Excellence
program. Capt Ron MacCarthy was promoted to Major at the Janaury
Wing Staff Meeting

Minnesota Wing, CAP WingTIps January 2003 Page 3

2003 Glider Season is Coming!
The next season will be hectic for the MNWG Glider Operations and based on last years experiences the
schedule coordination will require a major effort.

(Yes, I know that it is still winter, but all bad things will come to an end and we aim to get rolling as soon as the
weather is livable!)

I would like to ask each of you to e-mail or snail mail me with the Name, Rank, Phone number and E-mail
address of the person in your unit that will potentially be handling the glider scheduling coordination with us.

Please respond to me, preferably by e-mail to rbrogren@aol.com or by snail mail to MNWG/DOG (the DOG
acronym is not my idea, but used by all other wings with gliders so I am tagging along for now).

We know that the driving distance for many is too long for a one or two day treck to Redwing, but we are still
planning to do a long weekend O-flight "academy" in Groups 1, 2 and 4 and we will need a contact person for
the preliminaries.

For CC's of units that does not reply with the requested contact information by 01 March: I will be using your
name in lieu of a contact and you can expect to be snowed under with e-mails on the glider scheduling issue
before the season starts!

Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Lt Col Roger Brogren

Wing Glider Operations

Wingtips
Minnesota Wing—Civil Air Patrol
United States Air Force Auxiliary
P.O. Box 1230, St. Paul, MN 55111
Or on the Web at: www.mnwg.cap.gov/wingtips
Wingtips is published monthly and distributed to each household of Minnesota members. Deadline for submissions: 1st Monday of
the Month. The views expressed either written or implied are not necessarily those of the U.S. Air Force or Civil Air Patrol.
Wing Commander: Col. Dale Hoium Public Affairs Officer: 1st Lt Al Pabon

Minnesota Wing, CAP WingTIps January 2003 Page 4