The Newsletter of Minnesota Wing, Civil Air Patrol, US Air Force Auxiliary

December 2003/January 2004

Wing Assists in Search for

Missing C-182

This image shows just a few of the many CAP aircraft that took part in the air search for the missing C -182.
The wind chill factor that day was near 20 degrees below zero (F). Photo: Capt Alan Matson

By Capt Al Matson and Lt Col Stan Kegel

Air crews from all across Minnesota
converged on the Grand Rapids/Itasca
County airport (GPZ) on 13 JAN 03 to
conduct an air search for a missing Cessna
182 with two persons aboard. The Grand
Rapids Composite Squadron hosted the
mission base, and the crews were
welcomed with a well prepared base of
operations.
The missing Cessna 182 had taken off
from Baudette International Airport (BDE)
at about 18:30 local time on 10 JAN 03 and
was enroute to Anoka County Airport
(ANE), 223 nautical miles away.
After several hours of searching, a
Minnesota State Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) aircrew spotted the
missing aircraft about 8 miles southwest of
Baudette International airport.
An aircraft arrived overhead within 10
minutes to mark the GPS coordinates and
to act as high bird in communicating with
mission base. The local sheriff's ground
team was guided in by coordinates
supplied by the high bird crew. There were
no survivors.
15 Minnesota Wing aircraft and 47
members were involved in the search
mission on January 13.
Ten of the CAP aircraft were employed on
search assignments that day. An additional
four aircraft were about to be engaged
when the search ended. On Monday the
10th, six aircraft and 29 members were
active in the mission, but, due to weather,
only one aircraft was able to conduct an
effective search sortie.
Continued on Page 2

Minnesota Wing, CAP WingTips December 2003/January 2004 Page 1

 Commander’s Column
Col Dale Hoium
cc@mnwg.cap.gov

The Civil Air Patrol is still feeling it's way as our involvement with
Homeland Security continues to grow. We in MN Wing have spent this
past year gearing up by increasing our reconnaissance capabilities.

With the addition of the Slow Scan imaging and digital cameras we have the equipment to
play a much larger role. Now we must turn to the training so this equipment can be used in
the most effective ways. As we plan our spring and summer training activities let's plan on
the many ways this equipment can be used.

We have been involved in major searches recently. The way our membership responded
was outstanding. To be able to put fifteen aircraft, crews, and a management team in the
search area is a testament to your dedication. This, being done in the middle of the week by
taking time off from your employment deserves recognition.

The dedication of the Civil Air Patrol member is something to talk about. Volunteering their
time and talents to their communities. But Civil Air Patrol is not just about our search and
locate capabilities, it is also about mentoring the youth that join this dynamic organization.

In this day of computers and cell phones let us not forget about our radios. The simple fact is
that many of our searches are more than thirty miles from an interstate highway and therefore
out of cell range. Our participation in the wing nets is down therefore we are making an effort
to have more radio traffic. I have challenged Wing Staff to use more radio
messages.

Finally we are gearing up for our annual Wing Conference at Breezy Point. We received an
outstanding number of award nominations this year. Thank you to all that nominated
someone. This is one way we can recognize our
members.

I wish there was a way to give each and everyone of you an award for the service you give to
the Civil Air Patrol programs. I may not be able to do that, but I can thank each and everyone
of you. As we continue to fulfill the missions of the Civil Air Patrol, let's always remember we
make a difference.

Northern MN SAR Mission: Continued from Page 1

On the first day of the mission, Sunday the 11th, 5 members began the search investigation,
but no sorties were launched due to icing and instrument meteorological conditions. In
connection with the search mission, over 94 flight hours were flown by Minnesota Wing.

The Incident Commander was Lt Col Stan Kegel, MN Wing Director of ES. Lt Col Bernie
Knutson was Planning Section Chief; and the Air Operations Branch Director was Capt. Chet
Wilberg, Commander of Hutchinson Composite Squadron.

Minnesota Wing, CAP WingTips December 2003/January 2004 Page 2

 Achievements and Promotions
Cadet Milestone Awards Senior Member Promotions
Wright Brothers Award 2d Lt
Nicholas Osterhus OWATONNA Don Vahlsing ST CROIX
Mitchell McGillick HUTCHINSON Earl Gibson NORTHWEST
Edward Van Pelt VIKING
Gen Billy Mitchell Award George Lhotka HUTCHINSON
Jennifer Willhite 130TH Joseph Bradfield WORTHINGTON
Dustin Prchal CROW WING Melinda Brown ANOKA COUNTY
Craig Nguyen CROW WING Robert Sweeney MANKATO
Ryan Nordell WORTHINGTON
Amelia Earhart Award
Andrew Atkins VIKING 1st Lt
James Behne OWATONNA
Gen Ira Eaker Award James Kline FT SNELLING
Jacob Heffron CROW WING Jared Scribner VIKING
Benjamin Banwart 130TH Paul Butche 130TH
Thomas Settell VALLEY

Senior Member Awards Captain

Level II - Senior Member Certificate of Barton Cottle VIKING
Proficiency Rachel Norman NORTH STAR
Gary Lemasters DULUTH Richard
Darlene Benjamin HUTCHINSON Sevenbergen ANOKA COUNTY
David Benjamin HUTCHINSON Sean Skalisky MANKATO
Todd Walters HUTCHINSON Terry Dull VIKING
John Thompson VIKING Todd Walters HUTCHINSON
Richard Sudmeier WORTHINGTON
Major
Level III - Grover Loening Award Adrian Ramler NORTH STAR
Brian Freseman DULUTH Gary Lemasters DULUTH
Gary Lemasters DULUTH John Barsness MANKATO
Bruce Ramsden ST CROIX

Please send info on Flight Officer and

Level IV - Paul E. Garber Award Cadet Officer Promotions to
Robert Johnson CROW WING pa@mnwg.cap.gov for publication in
Charlotte Miller VALLEY WingTips.
Michael Rice ANOKA COUNTY
Daniel Andersen FT SNELLING

Minnesota Wing, CAP WingTips December 2003/January 2004 Page 3

DULUTH COMPOSITE SQUADRON CIVIL AIR PATROL
MEMBERS FETED AT AWARDS/PROMOTION DINNER
Lt Col Keith Bischoff, Duluth Composite Squadron

Forty Civil Air Patrol members and guests were at the November 29, 2003 Duluth Squadron
Awards Dinner at the West Duluth American Legion Post #71.

Brig. Gen. Raymond Klosowski, MN Air National Guard (Ret) presented the highest CAP
Cadet Award, the Carl A. Spaatz Award, to Cadet Lt. Col. Paul Dannenbring of Saginaw, MN.
C/Col. Dannenbring attends University of North Dakota and is the son of Craig Dannenbring
of Saginaw, MN

Lt. Col. Thomas Kettell, MN Wing Vice

Commander, presented the Amelia
Earhart Award to Cadet Capt. Christina
Dalbec, Superior, WI.

Duluth Squadron commander, Lt. Col.

Keith Bischoff, presented the Unit Cadet
of the Year 2003 Award to Cadet Capt.
Dalbec, who was nominated for the MN
Wing CAP Cadet of the Year Award. He
presented the Unit Cadet NCO of the Year
Award 2003 to Cadet M/Sgt Bobikate
Bardwell. of Eveleth, MN. He presented
the Unit Senior Member of the Year 2003 Award to Captain Brian Freseman, Unit Deputy
Commander for Cadets.

Capt Freseman was also nominated for the MN Wing Senior Member of the Year Award. He
presented the Unit Commanders Commendation Award to Capt. Gary LeMasters, Unit
Deputy Commander for Seniors and unit Finance Officer.

Minnesota Wing, CAP WingTips December 2003/January 2004 Page 4

Capt. LeMasters was also nominated for the MN Wing Finance Officer of the Year Award.

Lt Col. Bischoff reviewed the unit personnel promotions and accomplishments for the past
year, and recognized other senior members for their contributions to the unit and MN Wing
Civil Air Patrol.

Cadet Neil Mehrotra Receives the Carl A. Spaatz Award

2d Lt David Hobson, North Hennepin Squadron PAO

C/ Col Neil Merhotra receives the Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award from Retired Maj Gen Doyle Larson at the North
Hennepin Squadron’s Awards Banquet.

Neil Mehrotra is the most recent North Hennepin Squadron cadet to be eligible for the highly coveted
Spaatz Award. C/ Col. Mehrotra is currently studying at Princeton University majoring in Economics.
The Award was presented at the North Hennepin Holiday Awards Banquet on December 16, 2003.

Established in 1964, the Award honors the late General

Carl A. Spaatz, who became the first United States Air
Force Chief of Staff on September 26, 1947. When
Congress designated the Civil Air Patrol as the official
USAF Auxiliary on May 26, 1948, General Spaatz was
appointed the first National Board chairman. He held this
position until April 27, 1959.

Cadet Mehrotra serves as an excellent example of how

the CAP Cadet Program contributes to the development
of outstanding young people who will be the leaders of
tomorrow.

Cadet Mehrotra was also the recipient of the Carl

A.Spaatz Commemorative Bronze Coin which was presented on behalf of the Spaatz Association by
Lt. Col. Douglas Rutherford, Minnesota Wing’s Legal Officer. Col. Rutherford was the last North
Hennepin Squadron recipient of this Award in 1977.

Minnesota Wing, CAP WingTips December 2003/January 2004 Page 5

Anoka Squadron Wins Wing Color Guard Competition
Minnesota Wing held its 2004 Color Guard Competition on Saturday January 17th at Camp
Ripley Army National Guard Training Center in Little Falls, MN.

Color Guards from 6 squadrons competed in events designed to test their knowledge of the CAP
Cadet Program, drill and ceremonies, personal appearance and physical fitness.

The overall winner was the Color Guard representing Anoka County Composite Squadron. They
also won the Standard Drill and Uniform Inspection parts of the competition.

Participating Squadrons were, Anoka County Composite, Hutchinson Composite, North Hennepin
Composite, St. Croix Composite, St. Paul Composite and Valley Cadet.

Anoka County Composite Squadron’s Color Guard with their awards from the 2004 Minnesota Cadet
Competition. From left to right: C/MSgt Sarah Anderson, Color Bearer, Lt Col Don Mikitta, Director of Cadet
Programs, C/MSgt Theodore Persing, Color Guard Commander, C/MSgt John Lavalle, Team Alternate,
(Kneeling) C/SSgt Joanna Griner, Color Guard, C/TSgt Mike Kenny, Color Guard and Lt Col Mike Moen, Project
Officer. Photo: MNWG/PA

Color Guard Competition Team and Individual Awards:

Indoor Flag Presentation: North Hennepin Comp. Squadron
Outdoor Flag Presentation: North Hennepin Comp. Squadron
Uniform Inspection: Anoka County Comp. Squadron
Standard Drill: Anoka County Comp. Squadron
Mile Run: Hutchinson Comp. Squadron
Written Test: Valley Cadet Squadron

Minnesota Wing, CAP WingTips December 2003/January 2004 Page 6

2 Cadets were recognized for their times on the mile run with the “Fleet Foot Award”. They were,
C/TSgt John Sellen, of Valley Cadet Squadron with a time of 3:58 and C/TSgt Emily Vinge, of North
Hennepin Composite Squadron. With a time of 4:27

C/MSgt Sarah Anderson of Anoka County Composite Squadron earned the “Academic Excellence
Award” for achieving the high score on the written test by answering 45 out of 50 questions correctly.

Pictured: Members of the Valley

Cadet Squadron Color Guard
Reporting for inspection during the
2004 Minnesota Wing Color Guard
Competition. C/Major Mark
Pomerleau

The competition was judged by 3

of Minnesota’s USAF Reserve
Assistance Officers. They were
Lt Col Barry Eid, Major Joe Dale
and TSgt Pat Matson. C/Col Jack
Houck, C/Lt Col Josh
Gulbranson and C/Major Lori
Sobolweski assisted the USAF
officers in judging the
competition. Lt Col Michael Moen was the competition’s Project Officer.

“The competition leads to a National Cadet Competition in July at Wright Patterson AFB Ohio. Anoka
and North Hennepin cadets have been locked in a seesaw battle this past decade, Anoka’s team this
year has an outstanding chance to exhibit the results of great leadership training the have
experienced these past few years.” said Lt Col Don Mikitta, Minnesota Wing’s Director of Cadet
Programs.

The Anoka County Squadron’s Color Guard will represent Minnesota Wing at the North Central
Region’s Cadet Competition to be held at the Kansas Wing HQ in Salina, KS on March 20th 2004.

More images and team scores can be seen at the Minnesota Wing Website:
www.mnwg.cap.gov/pa/specials/2004/mncg_04

Senior Members get Motivated at Winter SLS:

Minnesota Wing conducted its “Winter Squadron Leadership School” over the weekend of
Jan 24th at Flemming Field.
In one of the largest SLS classes held in many years, 34 Senior Members and 3 Cadet
Officers from every group in the wing attended the dynamic 2 day training event.
The SLS is required for the completion of Level 2 of the Senior Member Professional
Development Program. The course provides members with information on Squadron
Operations, CAP’s Missions and Officer-ship.

Minnesota Wing, CAP WingTips December 2003/January 2004 Page 7

 A highlight for the students
was a 90-Minute presentation
on Customs and Courtesies
and Wear of the CAP
Uniform. The staff of the 6th
Cadet Training Group (see
Side bar) conducted the
training.

This session emphasized

hands on training and small
group learning. The School
was broken up into group and
went thru stations on saluting,
reporting and the various CAP uniforms and how to wear them.
“It is so refreshing to see so many new members learning about our great organization and
having fun. This is a great way for members to start their CAP Experience.” Said Course
Director, 1st Lt Al Pabon about the SLS students.
In addition to the CTG Staff these officers contributed to the success of the SLS, Col Kevin
Sliwinski, Lt Col Don Mikitta, Major Ron MacCarthy, Major Jay Craswell, Major (Ret) Bill
Willis, and 1st Lt Janelle Gates.

The Course Graduates are:

130th Composite Squadron
C/1st Lt Brian Anderson , 2d Lt Karen Anderson, SM Wendy Deane

Anoka County Composite Squadron

C/2d Lt Jeremiah Johnson, C/2d Lt Ryan Kenny ,1st Lt Anna Melle, 2d Lt Jody Veek

Grand Rapids Composite Squadron

2d Lt James Miller , 2d Lt Gregory Wiens

Hutchinson Composite Squadron

SM George Lhotka, 1st Lt Thomas Urban

North Hennepin Composite Squadron

1st Lt Michael Brennan , 1st LT Gary Novitsky , 2d Lt Scott Slawson,
SM Gregory Sorenson

North Star Cadet Squadron

Capt Rachel Norman

Owatonna Composite Squadron

2d Lt Gary Isker, SM Dee (Delores) Kirchner , 2d Lt Joshua Livingston

SE Minnesota Composite Squadron

SM Thomas Eeten, SM Gail Kephart

St. Croix Composite Squadron

SM Louis Adornato, 1st Lt Kim Johnson, 2d Lt Dalen Kruse, 2d Lt Donald Vahlsing

Minnesota Wing, CAP WingTips December 2003/January 2004 Page 8

St. Paul Composite Squadron
SM Jotham Blodgett

Valley Cadet Squadron

SM Pam Schilling, 1st Lt Eugene Sellen, 2d Lt Ron Vycital

Viking Composite Squadron

1st Lt Daniel Jorgenson, 1st Lt Brady Palmquist

Worthington Composite Squadron

2d Lt Joseph Bradfield, Capt Jeffrey Cassel, SM Kathleen Erdmann , 2d Lt Kent Kell

Minnesota Wing Members Complete Intensive Inland

Search and Rescue Planning Course

In January, Minnesota Wing and the Minnesota Division of Homeland Security and Emergency
Management sponsored a 5-day Inland SAR Planning Course. This course, conducted by the
National Search and Rescue School, is a comprehensive, graduate-level look at inland search theory
and its application to land and air searches for missing persons and aircraft. The course is directed
toward SAR leaders in federal, state, and local emergency services and law enforcement, as well as
Civil Air Patrol, international, and volunteer SAR agencies -- those few people who are responsible for
the planning and overall conduct of inland search missions – to enhance SAR education and to foster
a cooperative SAR network in our country.

Those attending the training from squadrons within Minnesota Wing Civil Air Patrol are: Capt. Don
Dalton, Capt. John Huber, Capt. Mark McCormick, Lt Col. Nick Modders, and Capt. Don Sorenson.
Attending from USAF/North Central Region were: Lt Col. Larry Brockshus, Maj. Michael Pederson,
Maj. Erik Webster, and Minnesota State Director Bill Willis.

The Inland SAR course consists of classroom lessons and practical, tabletop exercises, with
emphasis on the planning necessary for effective area-type searching during an extended search
using Probability of Success (POS), to predictively allocate limited resources to their best effect ? in
essence, what to do after the hasty search and specialty resources have not found the missing
person. Aiming to "find the objective fast," the course centers on tools to help SAR decision makers
determine where to search, how to divide an area between limited search resources, and how to craft
the overall search effort to gain the best increases in likelihood of success at each step. Additional
topics included search area development, effort allocation, an overview of ICS, the federal role in
SAR, and related subjects.

The National Search and Rescue School is operated jointly by the US Air Force and the US Coast
Guard at the USCG Training Center, Yorktown, Virginia. The school provides two search and rescue
planning courses, for the maritime and inland environments. Several times per year, the school offers
classes held around the country.

Minnesota Wing, CAP WingTips December 2003/January 2004 Page 9

OPS TOPICS - Where, Oh
Where, Can I Go???
By Lt Col Nick Modders, 130th Composite
Squadron
Or, said another way, if it looks like an airport,
acts like an airport, can I legally operate a CAP
airplane from there???
Civil Air Patrol Regulation 60-1 is the
document that regulates CAP flying. Reading
it can almost put you to sleep. Some pilots
may have snoozed through the part that clearly
states which airfields you can operate CAP
aircraft.
CAPR 60-1, paragraph 2-2 states, in part:
Authorized Airfields. Unless otherwise
authorized, CAP aircraft may operate to and
from the following: a. Civilian airports listed in
the current FAA Airport/Facilities Directory.
b. (requires a lot of important people to
approve your operation and is beyond the
scope of this article.)
Let's go back and revisit the "a" paragraph.
Only airports listed in the current FAA
Airport/Facilities Directory may be utilized.
What does the "Airport/Facilities Directory" look
like? First of all, it is green. Secondly, there
are a number of them, each covering a section
of the United States. The Airport/Facilities
Directory (A/FD) covering Minnesota is the
North Central US edition. Each book is about
the size of a Reader's Digest magazine.
There is all kind of neat information in the
A/FD. Naturally there are airports. It tells you
everything you might want to know about any
listed airport. So that you can easily read the
contents, which sometimes have acronyms
and symbols, a directory legend is featured in
the early pages to help you understand the
listings. In addition to airport information, there
is information on seaplane landing areas,
Notices (on military training routes and special
use airspace), Land and Hold Short
instructions, FAA phone numbers, Radio
frequencies, parachute jumping areas, chart
bulletins and airport diagrams.
Minnesota Wing, CAP WingTips December 2003/January 2004
10
Don't have an A/FD in your flight bag but think
you'd like to have one? Simple, check with
your FBO and see if they have the current
issue for sale. Currency is shown by dates on
the front cover (they are issued every 56
days.) If your FBO doesn't have them for sale,
or doesn't have the current copy, fear not,
there are other ways to get an A/FD in your
warm little hands.
Electronically the A/FD can be downloaded
from the internet.
www.penguinair.com/FlightShop/Index.htm
will get the entire USA's A/FD downloaded to
your computer. One issue is only $5.95. Want
a 6 month's subscription? It's only $11.95.
Keep in mind; this gets you the entire USA.
Your computer needs Windows 95/98 or
Windows NT 4.0 and 45 mb of hard drive
space available. With all of this in your
computer you can select and print the page(s)
you need and you’re on your way.
Want the paper version? Check out
www.avmaps.com. These folks are a great
source for A/FD and sectional charts. One
A/FD (for you, North Central) is only $3.14 plus
actual postage. Sectional charts are $5.99
each. Postage on a sectional chart is 83 cents.
(Your writer has used this company and finds
them very satisfactory. Quick service is the
norm.)
Now, in reading this far, you should have the
idea that you need the information in the A/FD
to make your flight safe and legal. Legal in
that CAPR 60-1 says that the airport must be
listed in the A/FD before you can use it and in
the A/FD under Aircraft Landing Restrictions,
Special Notices section it states: "Landing of
aircraft at locations other than public use
airports may be a violation of Federal or local
law."
You don't want to violate CAP regulations or
Federal and local laws (hopefully) and referring
to the Airport/Facilities Directory prior to flight
will help keep your flying worry free.
Page

Back to Basics in Radio
Communications
Major Wayne Sherman MN Wing/DC
The intranet has become a great tool to get the
information out, but we have lost our skills in
handling radio traffic.
So, it’s back to the basics. I have suspended
the immediate postings of the RAD's on this
email list.
Its time to get the old MNWG form 8a ready
again. Unit Communications Officers will have
to review their procedures for accepting traffic
for their respective unit. Who in you unit is
responsible for this? There may be several
communicators to do the job. There are also
units out state who will have to rely on another
unit to receive the traffic on HF and pass it
along on VH. Do you know how the traffic is
going to flow?
The RAD's will be posted to the email list after
approx 5-7 days of the DTG.
If there is any problems or concerns with this
please let me know.
Online Training Resources
Help Members Achieve
Flight Proficiency
You may not be aware of several online
training resources that are available to you as
a CAP ES Member. These resources are on
the Operations Training web page and can be
accessed from the CAP website or directly at
http://ntc.cap.af.mil/ops/dot/. Here are
examples of some of the courses that are
available:
• CAPF 5 Course (developed for check pilots,
instructor pilots, and all pilots preparing for a
check ride)
• Satellite Digital Imaging System Training
Minnesota Wing, CAP WingTips December 2003/January 2004
11
• Takeoff & Landing Training - Flight Clinic in a
Box Courseware
• Gippland G-8 Familiarization Course (a work
in progress)
• SSF/CAP Tow Pilot Course
• SSF/CAP Wing Runner Course
CAP is currently working with Cessna and
AOPA’s Air Safety Foundation to develop a
familiarization course for the new C-182s CAP
is purchasing. Among other things, this course
will explain why landing a C-182 is much
different than landing a C-172. The course will
be ready in the Spring of 2004.
Wing Nearly Sets Record
for Aerospace
Achievement
Col Kevin Sliwinski, MN Wing/DAE
All of the Yeager Awards have been reported
to National HQ for 2003, and 43 Senior
Members completed the award. This is the
second highest year on record behind 2002s
record of 44.
Congratulations and thank you to all who made
this achievement possible.
Viking had the most completions - 14 for a total
of 47.4% of their Senior Members.
North Hennepin had 8 for a total of 100% of
their Senior Members.
North Star Sq had 7 for a total of 84.2% of their
Senior Members.
Valley Sq had 5 for a total of 21.4% of their
Senior Members.
The Yeager Award can be earned by Senior
Members who complete the study (either
individually or as part of a group activity) of
“Aerospace: The Journey of Flight” text and
pass an examination. If you are interested in
earning this award contact your unit’s
Aerospace Officer or you can contact me at
cst@mnwg.cap.gov
Page
CTG Leadership Prepares for Encampment

The Executive Staff of the 6th Cadet Training Group meets at Flemming Field to plan the 2004 Cadet
Encampment. Pictured Left to Right: C/2d Lt Erica Hagen, Training Squadron Commander, C/2d Lt
Amy Her, Training Squadron Commander, C/1st Lt Andrew Atkins, Group Executive Officer, C/2d Lt
Roger Braun, Group Leadership Officer, C/Lt Col Aaron Scicluna, Group Commander, C/Major Mark
Pomerleau, Deputy Group Commander

The 6th Cadet Training Group is the cadet led organization that conducts the annual Minnesota Wing
Cadet Encampment. For more information on this year’s encampment please go to their website:
http://www.mnwg.cap.gov/cp/6ctg/

Civil Air Patrol

Performing Missions
For America!

WingTips
Minnesota Wing, Civil Air Patrol-US Air Force Auxiliary
P.O. Box 11230, 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 Wing Members. Deadline for submissions: 3rd Monday of the Month. The
views expressed either written or implied are not necessarily those of the U.S. Air Force or the Civil Air Patrol.
Wing Commander: Col. Dale Hoium PAO: 1st Lt Al Pabon

Minnesota Wing, CAP WingTips December 2003/January 2004 Page

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