The Mountain Flyer

Upcoming Wing Activities March 3-5 National Board Meeting - Washington, D.C March 12 Cadet Competition - WVU ROTC April 8-10 Joint Training Exercise with WV Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Pocahontas County April 29-May 1 Comprehensive Training Weekend Camp Dawson, WV May 13-15 Middle East Region SAR College Ft Pickett, Va. June 25-July 2 WV Wing Encampment Camp Dawson, WV July 15-17 Graded SAR Clarksburg, WV August 17-20 National Board Meeting Louisville KY.

March 2011

West Virginia Wing Civil Air Patrol -112 Airport Road Charleston, WV 25311- (304) 343-8866 - www.wvcap.net

West Virginia Wing members receive rare honor for helicopter rescue
By Major Jeffery Schrock Wing Public Affairs Officer

Four members of the West Virginia Wing were honored for their role in braving freezing temperatures and treacherous terrain to help rescue 17 crew members and passengers aboard a U.S. Navy helicopter that crashed into a mountainside Feb 2010. Capt. Stephen Antolini, commander of the Mercer County Composite Squadron, and two Beckley Composite Squadron members Capts.

Thomas Plass, the unit's deputy commander for seniors and emergency services officer, and Joseph Ingram, communications officer received Civil Air Patrol's Medal of Valor for their participation in the rescue. These three officers were among the first rescuers to arrive at the scene of the helicopter crash, braving the most adverse weather and terrain conditions possible. In addition, Maj. David Chaney,

commander of the Beckley squadron, was recognized with CAP's Meritorious Service Award for his role in transporting the victims over icy mountainous roads to medical help after they were carried from the crash site. The citations were presented by Brig. Gen. Charles Carr, CAP national vice commander. As a result of the CAP members' efforts, all 17 passengers on the helicopter survived both the crash and the ensuing rescue, and adverse weather.

From left, Brig Gen Charles L. Carr Jr., CAP National Vice Commander; Capt Thomas Plass, Beckley Composite Squadron deputy commander for seniors and emergency services officer; Brig Gen Eric Vollmecke, West Virginia Air National Guard chief of staff; Capt Joseph Ingram, Beckley Composite Squadron communications officer; Capt Stephen Antolini, Mercer Composite Squadron commander, Col Dennis Barron, WV Wing Commander.

Training conducted for aircrew members held at Clarksburg Squadron

On February 19, members of the West Virginia Wing came to Clarksburg Composite Squadron for a day of training for aircrews. Capt Gerald Wedemeyer instructed observers and scanners on the use of the Garmin 1000 system. Lt Col Shelton Davis reviewed pilot standardization and evaluation procedures. Flight operations had to be canceled due to high wind conditions.

Photos by Maj Russell Voelker - Martinsburg Squadron PAO

44 CAP Members gather for First Aid CPR Training

A great day of training was held on February 6, at Sissonville Middle School in Charleston when 44 CAP members from Beckley, Charleston Cadet, Clarksburg and Mid Valley Composite Squadrons came together for First Aid and CPR training. Instructors from the American Red Cross assisted cadets and seniors. Everyone took care to be safe and it appeared that everyone enjoyed the day.

Martinsburg Composite Squadron cadets participate in Wreaths Across America ceremonies in Winchester, Va. A ribbon cutting ceremony is held to officially open the new headquarters and hangar for the Martinsburg Composite Squadron. Lt Jeff Wheeler of Wheeling Composite Squadron talks about CAP to students at a middle school. More photos can be seen at our photo gallery at the WV Wings website: http://www.wvcap.net/PAO/PAO.htm

Beckley Squadron Cadet awarded first Rodney F Moody Memorial CAP Scholarship
Cadet Capt. Brian M. Kruchkow of the Beckley Composite Squadron is the first recipient of the Col. Rodney F. Moody Memorial CAP Scholarship, which he plans to use to attend Civil Air Patrols Civic Leadership Academy in Washington, D.C., from Feb. 25-March 5. The scholarship was established in honor of Moody, West Virginia Wing commander from 20012005 and CAP national comptroller from 2005-2008, who passed away in February 2009 at age 54 after battling lung cancer. Moody was a strong supporter of CAPs cadet program, and his wife, Lt, Col, Connie Moody, health services officer for the West Virginia Wing, created the scholarship to recognize and assist deserving West Virginia cadets in advancing their leadership training and skill development. The scholarship is intended to provide financial assistance to one or more cadets each year by funding their attendance at and participation in one of the following leadership training courses -- National Cadet Officers School, Middle East Region Cadet Officers Course, Civic Leadership Academy, Honor Guard Academy or other appropriate CAP nationally sponsored cadet leadership training course. The scholarship is administered by the Beckley Area Foundation, which provides charitable endowments for nonprofit organizations. CAP holds the Civic Leadership Academy every year in the nations capital for cadets interested in politics and careers in public service. The activity, for which only 24 cadets are selected nationwide, features behind-the scenes tours and briefings at the U. S. Capitol, Supreme Court, State Department, Pentagon, CIA, FBI and more. In addition to earning CAPs Amelia Earhart Award, Kruchkow earned his solo wings while attending the National Flight Academy this past summer at Fort Pickett, Va. He is a graduate of the West Virginia Wing Cadet Leadership Training Course and was named the outstanding cadet of the wings 2008 Summer Encampment. He served as a flight commander at the encampment in 2009. He is also active in CAPs emergency services program as well as in several community service and church-related activities. Col. Dennis Barron, West Virginia Wing commander and chairman of the Scholarship Selection Committee, said Kruchkow epitomizes the core values of the Civil Air Patrol program and is a role model for other cadets. It is very appropriate that Brian is the first recipient of the Moody Scholarship, since both Colonel Moody and Cadet Kruchkow were from the Beckley area. Cadet Kruchkow is a highly motivated individual who has already been nominated to attend the U. S. Air Force Academy, Barron added. He is an outstanding representative of the West Virginia Wing and is most deserving of the Col. Rodney F. Moody Memorial CAP Scholarship Fund.

He is an outstanding representative of the West Virginia Wing and is most deserving of the Col. Rodney F. Moody Memorial CAP Scholarship Fund, Col Dennis Barron WV Wing Commander

Lt. Col. Connie Moody presents the first Col. Rodney F. Moody Memorial CAP Scholarship check to Cadet Capt Brian M. Kruchkow of the West Virginia Wings Beckley Composite Squadron

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