WINGTIPS
OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF MINNESOTA WING – CIVIL AIR PATROL
MISSION AIRCREW TRAINING
- 1st Lt. Deborah Feil
MNWG conducted the annual two day long Mission Aircrew
Training Seminar at the St. Croix Composite Squadron
headquarters located at the Lake Elmo Airport on January
6th and 7th.
This two-day seminar is introductory training covering the
classroom requirements for the aircrew specialties of mis-
sion scanner, search and rescue/disaster relief pilots, and
observers. The unique aspect of this training is that it
teaches the introductory requirements for all three of these
positions at the same time. After this training is completed
students are qualified to take the specialized advanced
training for each aircrew position. The advanced training
includes course work and actual experience in the airplane
for each of the specialties. When all the requirements are
met, the individual is fully qualified to serve as aircrew.
The seminar taught by five CAP members: Major Stan Ke-
gel, Colonel Kevin Sliwinski, and Lieutenant Colonel Rich-
ard Vosika of Minnesota Wing, Lieutenant Marcell Derosier
of North Hennepin Composite Squadron, and Major Tom
Vashro of Viking Squadron included examples from their
experiences in search and rescue.
Students from Minneapolis/St.Paul metro and surrounding
areas attended the seminar, representing, Red Wing, St.
Paul, Hutchinson, Anoka, Viking Composite squadrons,
Valley Cadet Squadron and the 130th Composite Flight,
participated in the seminar.
Civil Air Patrol provides constant training for its members to
be able to fulfill search and rescue/disaster relief missions.
Many new members join CAP throughout the year. The
training need is on-going from the basic to the advanced
levels.
The seminar included the overview of Civil Air Patrol emer-
gency services: training and operations, aircrew organiza-
tion and coordination, weather related considerations, elec-
tronic search patterns and procedures, flight plans, flight
line operations, state and local agreements, interagency
agreements and operations, transport mission procedures,
communication procedures, chart reading and grid system,
navigation and position determination, survival and first aid,
coordination with ground teams, scanning techniques and
sighting characteristics, and search coverage.
JANUARY 2001
AFA RECOGNITION
- Capt. Shannon Bauer
The General E..W. Rawlings Chapter of the Air Force
Association recognized two Minnesota Civil Air Patrol
cadets for outstanding performance at an awards cere-
mony in Bloomington, MN, November 18th.
The cadets, C/2nd Lt.Tim Merhar of Viking Composite
Squadron and C/1st. Lt. Tandra Thesing of Crow Wing
Composite Squadron, were nominated and selected to
receive this award because of their achievements in both
Civil Air Patrol and their communities. They were recog-
nized alongside outstanding Air Force active duty, Re-
serve and Air National Guard personnel and received
their awards from Maj. Gen.Charles Robertson, Jr., com-
mander of the U.S. Air Force Air Mobility Command.
A member of CAP for a little more than two years, Mer-
her serves as the Viking Squadron cadet commander.
He has participated in two state encampments, the Min-
nesota Wing Solo Encampment and the Minnesota Ca-
det Advisory Council, as well as the Viking Squadron
color guard team. A qualified ground team member and
radio operator, he has participated in several real and
simulated search and rescue missions. In a little more
than a year-and-a-half, he earned the Mitchell Award.
Thesing has been a member of CAP for six years and
has served as her squadron’s cadet deputy commander
and public affairs officer. She has participated in the Min-
nesota Cadet Advisory Council, served as a cadet flight
commander at the annual Minnesota BlackCAP and was
a member of an award-winning color guard team Cur-
PAGE 2 WINGTIPS
AIMING HIGHER
- Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Don Mikitta
What is leadership?
We use the definition from the Air Force that ,” Leader-
ship is the art of influencing and directing people to ac-
complish a mission. Management is the manner in
which resources are used to achieve objectives” (Air
Force Officer’s Guide). Unfortunately, we seem to pro-
pose to cadets that leadership is a position. We move
then into leadership position and train them in leader-
ship positions. In the end we do not have leaders, but
people in positions.
Dr. John C. Maxwell, a contemporary leadership author,
declares, “Leadership is not a position . . . it is INFLU-
ENCE.”
In Cadet Programs we have been developing our vision
as we are “aiming higher to equip the next generation”.
Again Dr. Maxwell helps us understand what it means
to equip, “Encouraging qualities underdeveloped in peo-
ple“. The qualities of integrity, volunteer service, excel-
lence and respect are desired development points. In
developing these qualities we eliminate the constant
problem of not meeting standards, passing deadlines
and other things that detract from our professionalism.
Over the next few months I hope to relate how to better
equip those around you by Encouraging, Qualifying,
Understanding and Instructing them. When we season
this training with prayer, we will find our cadets develop-
ing the qualities desired in our next generation.
As we approach this style of leadership ponder on
these two thoughts: “My brethren, be not many masters,
knowing that we shall receive the greater condemna-
tion” James 3:1 and “Look not every man on his own
things, but every man also on the things of others” Phi-
lippians 2:4
May we do this as we are Aiming Higher to equip the
next Generation.
AWARDS
COMMUNITY DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
Jacob Pfingsten, Crow Wing Squadron
MITCHELL
Andrew Atkins, Viking Squadron
Jacob Pfingsten, Crow Wing Squadron
Derek Thiede , Crow Wing Squadron
EAKER
Brian Freseman, Duluth Squadron
Michael Pitoscia, Duluth Squadron
JANUARY 2001
COMMANDER’S CORNER
- Col. Dale Hoium
The old year is out and the new year is
in. We, in the Civil Air Patrol are experi-
encing an exciting time with the new
understanding between the Air Force
and CAP. National Headquarters pro-
claims they are “Positioned for the Fu-
ture”. Indeed they are and so is our
Wing. Our Wing has many exciting pro-
jects and goals set for 2001. There will
be many cadet and senior activities.
SAR weekends are being planned so that we can train
together, and there may even be a surprise or two.
Being positioned for the future indicates our units are
growing and going. If we are to position ourselves, one
area that is of vital importance is the retention of our
members. If we recruit a hundred new members and lose
ninety nine in the first year, what have we really accom-
plished? We need to take an objective look at our weekly
meetings and evaluate the training we are providing our
cadets and seniors.
It can be very difficult to get a good senior program going
within the unit. One suggestion I would make is appoint a
Senior Programs Officer, now called a Professional De-
velopment Officer. This person can take the new senior
members and get them started and active in a training
program. Seniors don’t join to just sit around, they want
something to do.
The Professional Development Officer can spend a little
time with the new senior, a luxury the unit commander
does not have, to discuss with them their goals within the
organization. The new member can be briefed on the dif-
ferent activities, what all the letters mean that we talk
about, like CLC, SAR, SLS, AFRCC and so forth.
To put new senior members on the right path and make
them feel productive a Professional Development Officer
is what you need. It is a very important duty as the future
success of your unit may very well depend on it.
New Wing Staff
New Department Directors:
Lt. Col. William Cleary, Emergency Services
Lt. Col. Bruce Hegrenes, Counter Drug
Maj. Todd Mandel, Logistics
Maj. Wayne Sherman, Communications
New Unit Commander
2nd Lt. Armand French, Fort Snelling Squadron
PAGE 3 WINGTIPS
Col. Dale Hoium presented a plaque to Lt. Col. Bill Cleary
recognizing his service as Communications Director.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE WING
CROW WING: Cadet SSGT Elizabeth Whiting, Cadet A1C
Martha Jensen and Cadet CMSGT Jacob Pfingsten pre-
sented a color guard in the annual Brainerd Winter Parade
held in downtown Brainerd at 5:00 p.m. December 2,
2000. Many positive comments were shared regarding
their professional appearance in the parade. - 1Lt. Beth
Pfingsten
VIKING: Viking Squadron members raised more than $600
at a used book sale in Eden Prairie last month. The money
will be used towards the purchase of a squadron flight
simulator. After collecting more than 10,000 books the
squadron was able to hold a sale earlier than planned. Lt.
Al Matson, deputy commander of seniors, organized the
sale. C/TSgt Martin Rittenberry received a prize for collect-
ing the most books. - Capt. Shannon Bauer
CASS COUNTY: Cass County Squadron was presented
with a vital communications link by the Walker Rotary
Club. The Rotary Club donated a transceiver that will im-
prove air/ground communications.– Capt. R.D. Stoneking
CROW WING: Cadets Matthew Heffron, Keelan Diehl,
Jacob Heffron, Martha Jensen, Luella Jensen, Dana Ko-
han, Nick Groshong, Chris Jabs and Jacob Pfingsten par-
ticipated in the Brainerd Salvation Army bell ringing pro-
motion on Saturday, December 9, 2000. Lt. Paul Fergu-
son, commander of the Brainerd Salvation Army, person-
ally greeted and thanked the cadets for their volunteering
to help their organization during this time. - 1Lt. Beth
Pfingsten
CROW WING: The Crow Wing Composite Squadron of CAP
held their annual Christmas potluck at the Park United
Methodist Church in Brainerd on December 18, 2000 with
members and their families in attendance. Former cadets
Brad Thesing of Hawaii, Thomas Doberzynski of Ely, MN
and Jolene Pfingsten of Brainerd, were all in attendance.
Cadet Lt. Jacob Heffron was recognized for best atten-
dance during 2000 and was named Cadet of the Year for
JANUARY 2001
MNWG RECRUITING WEBSITE
- 2 Lt. Al Pabon
The Draft version of the MN Wing Recruting (Join CAP)
Website has been totally revamped and posted for your
viewing. The URL is:
http://www.geocities.com/mncap2001/joincap/index.htm
This is the baseline that I will be using for future efforts.
Most CAP websites offer potential members some infor-
mation but they have to jump around and then not have
all their questions answered.
The Wing Recruiting Team decided to create a web site
that would serve the information needs of potential mem-
bers and have resources for unit recruiters. Most CAP
websites offer potential members some information but
they have to jump around and then not have all their
questions answered.
As the development proceeded it was decided that 2 sites
would be better than a massive site trying to meet both
needs.
The second site is the "Recruiting and Retention Re-
source Web." It's a fancy way of saying "R&R Goodies
Pages." This site is full of resources, articles, download-
able leaflets and brochures, and news. It's One stop
shopping for a Squadron Recruiting and Retention Offi-
cer. Take a moment to check this site out. Here is the
URL:
http://www.geocities.com/mncap2001/rs/index.htm
Please take a second and look at both of our new sites. I
would like to know what you think of them. Once ap-
proved they will be posted to the Wing Server and inte-
grated into the MN Wing Website.
There is a lot to look at and I hope that you can give us
some feedback on it. This is the first step in a massive
effort to bring these issues especially Retention to the
PROMOTIONS
2nd Lt. Geoff Dagg, Viking Squadron
2nd Lt. Jeff Domas, Viking Squadron
2nd Lt. Al Matson, Viking Squadron
1st. Lt. Rachel Davis, Viking Squadron
1st. Lt. Sherrie Herzfeld, Anoka Squadron
Capt. Kimberly Schill, Duluth Squadron
Capt. Don Sroka, Viking Squadron
Capt. Joleen Stadsklev, Viking Squadron
Maj. Gerald Boldt, Viking Squadron
Please help us recognize our members by letting us know
about promotions by sending an email with promotions to:
mncap@aol.com
 PAGE 4 WINGTIPS JANUARY 2001

M INNESOTA WING CALENDAR

FEBRUARY MINNESOTA WING
3 SAT AIRCREW GPS TRAINING EMERGENCY SERVICES
17 SAT COMMUNICATIONS MEETING YEAR TO DATE STATISICAL SUMMARY
17-18 SAT-SUN SAR MGT. COURSE These ES statistics are current
28-30 WED NATIONAL WINTER BOARD
as of 30 December 2000
MARCH USAF-Assigned Reimbursable Missions for 2000:
2-4 FRI-SAT WING SAR, GROUP 4 Total Missions 26
3 SAT CADET COLOR GUARD COMPETITION Non-distress ELT/EPIRB Finds 21
14-17 WED NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL CONGRESS Total Finds 24
17 SAT COUNTERDRUG CHECKPILOT SEMINAR Total Saves 0
Total Aircraft Hours 34.4
Total Aircraft Sorties 21
A PRIL Total Personnel Hours 2104
2 SUN 0200 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME
7 SAT MINNESOTA INCIDENT MGT TRNG MINNESOTA WING-Assigned Missions for 2000:
8 SUN PASSOVER Total Missions 12
13 FRI GOOD FRIDAY Non-distress ELT/EPIRB Finds 4
15 SUN EASTER Total Aircraft Hours 11.0
20-22 FRI-SUN WING CONFERENCE Total Aircraft Sorties 12
22 SUN WING COMMANDERS CALL Total Personnel Hours 1760
CAP-Assigned Training Missions: (FY-00):
MAY Total Missions 3
5-6 SAT-SUN NATIONAL CHECK PILOT SEMINAR 911T Missions 0
13 SUN MOTHER’S DAY Total Aircraft Hours 23.4
18-20 FRI-SUN WING SAR, GROUP 2 AREA Total Aircraft Sorties 14
19 SAT ARMED FORCES DAY Total Person Hours 1096
29 MON MEMORIAL DAY – DRIVE & FLY SAFE!
30 WED FLIGHT CLINIC, WORTHINGTON AIRPORT
31 THU FLIGHT CLINIC, PIPESTONE AIRPORT DECEMBER M ISSION SUMMARIES
09 ELT Search, USAF Mission 00M2621
JUNE North Star Cadet Squadron tracked an ELT signal to a PA18
1 ALL CAP/COAST GUARD AUX. JNT. TRNG (UNTIL 31 AUG) on Beaver Lake.
2 SAT FLIGHT CLINIC, WING HQ A/C 2 Hours 1 A/C Sortie 13 people - 104 hours
4 MON FLIGHT CLINIC, WILLMAR AIRPORT 21 Missing Person USAF Mission 00M2700A
5 TUE FLIGHT CLINIC, HUTCHINSON AIRPORT St. Cloud & Hutchinson Squadrons searched for missing adult.
7 THU FLIGHT CLINIC, MANKATO AIRPORT Found in City of Hutchinson, not in distress.
8-10 FRI-SUN WING GROUND TEAM SAR, GROUP 3 AREA A/C 00 1A/C Sortie 5 people - 40 hours
11 MON FLIGHT CLINIC, DULUTH AIRPORT
22 ELT Search, USAF Mission 00M2711
12 TUE FLIGHT CLINIC, GRAND RAPIDS AIRPORT
St. Paul Squadron tracked an ELT to Fleming Field.
13 WED FLIGHT CLINIC, WALKER AIRPORT A/C 1 1 A/C Sortie 8 people - 104 Hours

PRESORTED
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Or on the Web at: www.mnwg.cap.gov PERMIT NO. 7109
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of Minnesota members. Deadline for submissions: 1st Monday of
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necessarily those of the U.S. Air Force or Civil Air Patrol.

Wing Commander: Col. Dale Hoium

Wingtips Editor: 1st. Lt. Mary Johnson
© 2001 Wingtips