Alabama Wing - Jun 2006
Alabama Wing - Jun 2006
Alabama Wing - Jun 2006
June 2005 1
2. Secure a commitment to safety
Thank you for letting me serve you and
from all Senior and Cadet
allowing me to help lead this great Wing.
Thank you again for honoring Betsy with Members.
your thoughts and prayers.
3. Train more than one to be a safety
Respectfully, officer.
4. Require regular training for
Michael A. Oakman
Col., CAP, USAF Auxiliary members.
ALWG Commander
5. Require routine meetings with
members where you or your
safety officers stress particular
hazards which may be
encountered while doing what we
Commander’s Comments
do.
Safety Philosophy
Finally, you as a leader, a professional,
Organizations with a culture of safety the expert need to understand that you
exude a commitment to safety that have an important role with in the Wing
percolates down through the entire in fostering a culture of Safety.
organization. But such a culture can only
be created if the seniors and cadet Col. Mike Oakman
members all learn the importance of Commander
making what we do safer and truly
commit ourselves to that goal. Too often,
however, this transformation comes on
the heels of hard, bitter and wholly
avoidable experience.
Alabama Wing
Assuming that understanding the risk and Receives Safety Donations
cost of accidents provides the incentive
needed to create a culture of safety, each
squadron leadership should compose and
implement a nuts-and-bolt Safety
Program.
June 2006 3
on March 3 specifically designed for the magneto switches, master switches, and
CAP and other first responders on the ignition switches were also presented.
dangers of BRS systems and other post
crash responsibilities. This was attended The two hour program was attended by
by members of several squadrons as well approximately 100 people from the three
as fire service personnel and law targeted groups.
enforcement. Civil Air Patrol
squadrons represented were: Pell City, Maj. Donnie Todd
Gadsden, Birmingham, Shelby County,
Bessemer, Tuscaloosa, and Redstone.
Members of the following fire
departments were in attendance: Pell Bessemer Composite Squadron
City, Coosa Valley, Birmingham, Holds Awards Ceremony
Homewood, and Riverside. Several Law
Enforcement Agencies were represented On 3 April 2006, Bessemer Composite
as well. Cadets from the Pell City Squadron (AL-087) conducted a Member
Squadron also were present. Recognition and Awards Ceremony at
their squadron building. This type of
The program was presented by Richard event is held two to three times a year to
Henry and Tom Mullin of the FAA's recognize the accomplishments and
Birmingham Flight Standards contributions of our members and others.
District Office. There were video and Squadron Commander Capt. Jim Smiley
slide presentations as well as discussion emceed the event. Honored and
on the dangers faced by first responders distinguished guests included: Col. Bob
when encountering accident aircraft with Dorning, former ALWG Commander, Lt.
Ballistic Recovery Systems installed but Col. Walter Williams, ALWG Vice
not deployed. This training is in response Commander, Maj. Tony Petelos, AL-087
to incidents of post accident deployment member and Mayor of Hoover, Alabama,
that have resulted in injury and death to and Mr. and Mrs. Tom Carson. This was
first responders. the largest ceremony we’ve conducted
thus far with nearly sixty members,
Those in attendance learned how these family, and guests in attendance.
systems work and how to identify the
presence of a Ballistic Recovery System. Colors were posted by Bessemer
And most importantly, how to avoid Composite Squadron 2006 Color Guard
injury when working in proximity to an Unit members: C/A1C Charles Deering,
undeployed system. C/CMSgt Jeremy Adams (Color Guard
Commander), C/CMSgt Amos Elmore,
The program also included tips on and C/TSgt John Fuller. Bessemer’s
appropriate action and responsibilities at 2006 Color Guard Unit also includes
the scene of any crash with respect to C/A1C Jordan Box who was unable to
injuries and deaths, airplane systems, attend.
record keeping of pertinent facts, and the
steps to take to insure the safety of Our 2006 Color Guard unit brought great
everyone present. Several pictures credit and distinction to their squadron by
of different types of fuel cutoff valves, competing in the 2006 Alabama Wing
June 2006 4
Cadet Competition and winning first Cadets are expected to give a speech to
place standing in every event. A big an audience as a part of their
poster adorns the squadron building advancement into the officer ranks of
declaring “FOURPEAT!” as this is the cadet membership. C/CMSgt Jeremy
fourth consecutive year Bessemer Cadets Adams presented an excellent talk which
have won the ALWG competition. Our served as an example to his peers and
Color Guard Cadets are affectionately motivated both cadet and senior members
referred to as our “Shining Stars” for of the squadron to always do the right
their efforts, and a cake appropriately thing in every aspect of their lives.
decorated with stars and their names was
presented to them at the ceremony. We were fortunate to have Lt. Col.
Walter Williams assist with the
presentation of recognition certificates
and awards. Col. Williams is a former
member of Bessemer Composite
Squadron and served as our Deputy
Commander for Seniors before assuming
his current duties. So, this evening was
sort of a homecoming event for him and
us. Pictures of the various recipients
were taken by Lt. Glenn Wilson and
Capt. Jimmy Mitchell (attached). A
special cake and plaques were presented
to C/Maj. Jamie DeSpain and Capt.
Darryl Barry for being selected as
Bessemer Composite Squadron’s Cadet
of the Year and Senior Member of the
Year respectively. A listing of
recognition and award recipients is
In January of this year, the squadron included below:
commander encouraged the cadets to
come up with a design for a unique Certificate of Appreciation for
squadron flag or banner that depicts who donations to our building fund:
the members of Bessemer Composite Lowe’s of Trussville Alabama
Squadron are. While this flag is Mr. & Mrs. Tom Carson, Sundance
unofficial in nature and is not designed to Farms, Alabaster Alabama
take the place of the standard issue
squadron flag, it is expected to remind Recognition of Red Service Award (2
our members, and others who view it, Years)
that our squadron is unique in character Lt. Rosalind Fazel
and composition, and to encourage our Lt. Col. Walter Williams
members to excel in everything they do. Cadet Devin Adams
The winning design was submitted by
C/CMSgt Amos Elmore, and he Recognition of Curry Achievement
presented the new flag to the squadron at Cadet Jordan Box
this ceremony. Cadet Taylor Cox
June 2006 5
Cadet Matthew Davidson Recognition of Nomination for “Of the
Cadet Corey Dean Year” Award
Cadet Nathaniel Gates Capt. Teresa Petelos – Cadet Programs
Officer of the Year
Recognition of Level 1 Completion Lt. Rosalind Fazel – Communicator of
SM Catherine Mann the Year
SM John Pearson C/Maj. Jamie DeSpain – Cadet of the
SM Sheila Smiley Year
C/Lt. Darryl Barry – Senior Member of
Recognition of ARCHER Qualification the Year
Lt. Ken Trowbridge
Lt. Glenn Wilson New Promotions
C/CMSgt Jeremy Adams
Recognition of SDIS Operator C/CMSgt Amos Emore
Qualification C/Amn Taylor Cox
Capt. Jimmy Mitchell C/TSgt John Fuller
Lt. Glenn Wilson C/Capt. Bryan Miller
Maj. Terry Richmond Capt. Bo Andrews
Col. Bob Dorning Capt. Darryl Barry
Capt. Jim Smiley
Commander’s Commendation Award
Recognition of GES Qualification C/Maj. Jamie DeSpain
Cadet Jacob Meins C/CMSgt Jeremy Adams
Cadet Cristian Sanchez C/Lt Devin Adams
Cadet John Fuller C/Lt. Philp Ronan
Cadet Charles Deering C/CMSgt Amos Emore
C/Capt. Erinn Scott
Recognition of ELT Find Ribbon
Award for ELT Mission
Lt. Col. Walter Williams
Capt. Paul Moses
What does an Alabama Air Force
Recognition of Previous Promotion Academy appointee for class of
C/A1C Jordan Box
2010, and an Alabama West
C/A1C Matthew Davidson
C/A1C Charles Deering Point (ARMY) appointee for the
C/Amn Corey Dean class of 2010 have in common?
Recognition of Appointment to
Military Academy Well for starters, they are both Al
C/Maj. Jamie DeSpain – US Military Wing CAP cadets and even more they are
Academy at West Point both the present and past commanders of
C/Capt. Erinn Scott – US Air Force the Bessemer Composite Sq. C/Majors
Academy Jamie DeSpain and Erinn Scott have each
been selected to attend our nation’s
service academies.
June 2006 6
Hoover HS in Hoover, Alabama, is the
Cadet DeSpain who is scheduled current Cadet SQ Commander for the
to graduate from Hoover HS this spring Bessemer Composite SQ (AL 087). In
has been in CAP for the past 3 ½ years. her 2½ years of CAP service some of her
He is the past commander of cadets of the past accomplishments include
Bessemer Composite SQ. Per Cadet Commander of the 2005 AL Wing Color
DeSpain “I had always aspired to go into Guard, 2005 AL Wing Encampment Sq
the military, ever since I was very young Commander, and outstanding cadet 2004
(coming from 2 generations of previous Mississippi Wing encampment. She
Army officers), and when I found out received “multiple” academy
what CAP was, I immediately jumped at appointments (West Point/Army,
the idea. Right after that first meeting I Annapolis/Navy, and the AF Academy)
joined CAP and hoped that I would and she chose the AF Academy over the
somewhat prepare me for the leadership others, she said “guess the I Army and
challenges and the military-style life that the Navy just couldn't pull me away from
I hoped to face later on at the Academy. those Air Force blues!!!”
I definitely feel that CAP has prepared Cadet Scott said “Civil Air Patrol got me
me for West Point and for that I will be interested in the Air Force, more
forever indebted to the organization. I specifically the Academy. Ever since my
also mention that I love history and I feel first Encampment, I knew I wanted to be
that I am forever indebted to those men a cadet there. I applied to the Academy
who have given their lives' to make mine because I wanted the challenge, the
free. With that said, I feel that I must leadership, the experience, and the
give back some of my life to my country prestige”. Per Cadet Scott “My main
and I believe that the Academy is the best concern is that I learn the leadership
route for which to do that. I also believe skills necessary to lead men. I want the
that an officer is the best form of leader people that I lead to want to say, “Yeah,
there is and I know the Academy can turn that’s MY commander!”- to be an officer
me into the best officer I can be. who is respected because I take care of
my people. “
I chose West Point because, having come
from two generations of Army officers, I Her recommendation for ANY
was already familiar with the lifestyle. cadet who is interested in the service
West Point also fit my career goals academies is “Start Early!! Everything
perfectly, I plan to branch in the Infantry, you do, whether in school or CAP or
go to Ranger School and become an whatever, it counts!! Set yourself up for
Airborne Ranger. My ultimate goal is to success by working hard; that way, when
become Chief of Staff of the Army. Plus, you are ready to apply you can be
the history of West Point and the type of confident in your accomplishments.
men who have graduated from there was Make sure you apply at the end of your
a big selling point, there's nothing bigger junior year of High School, the earlier the
than becoming part of the Long Gray Academy sees your name in their file, the
Line.” better. And don’t get discouraged when
the letters and the papers and the reports
Cadet/ Major Erin Scott, who is don’t come – the Air Force Academy will
planning to graduate this year from
June 2006 7
take a little longer than the other scholarships from Auburn Air Force
Academies, but it is definitely worth the ROTC, a freshman Academic
wait!”. Scholarship from Auburn, and a TVA
Scholarship.
They both attribute CAP as a factor in Cadet Johnson has distinguished himself
their appointments to the academy. during his Civil Air Patrol (CAP) career
by earning the Mitchell, Earhart and
Eaker Awards. He has attended five
This is a very prestigious appointment National Special Activities and three
and deserves a notice at all levels of encampments at Auburn University. He
CAP. This is the future and with is also a former Redstone Composite
young motivated and outstanding Squadron Cadet Commander.
individuals like this we should all be
proud of them.
June 2006 8
She will be the Cadet Executive examination testing aerospace topics,
Officer at the 2006 MS/ALWG leadership theory and staff topics” is the
Encampment. This summer C/Capt way the Earhart is described on the Cadet
Petelos will be finishing her third year Program web page. This advanced award
from the National Honor Guard is only earned by the most diligent of
Academy. cadets, who truly care about Civil Air
Patrol and their part in it.
She is very active in and outside
of CAP. She attends Hoover High Cadet Kraft is a native of Colorado
School, where she is a member of the Springs, Colorado and moved to
track team, SGA, and Law Academy. Huntsville AL in July 1994. He has
She has received the community service played Little League Baseball and has
award, and serves on the City of Hoover played in the Babe Ruth League for four
Coalition, and the City of Hoover Teen years. He joined Civil Air Patrol in 2003
Board. and was named Squadron Cadet of the
Year in 2005. He was the Honor Cadet at
his first encampment and a member of
the Honor Flight at his second one.
June 2006 9
He is a ground team member, a private
pilot and holds jump wings as an Air
Force Basic Parachutist. Attending
Auburn University, he serves as the Wing
Commander Air Force ROTC at the
University.
June 2006 10
Major Holland is a Multi – Commercial
– Instrument pilot with over 1500 hours. I A Continental breakfast with rolls, coffee
also fly the GA8 for all the Archer and orange juice greeted members on
trainees at the Maxwell AFB. An Saturday morning, registration opened,
example of volunteer at its finest, his and members assembled for the morning
service to the Alabama Wing and Civil general session. The Blue Notes, a
Air Patrol in invaluable. Huntsville Police Officer’s singing
quartet, entertained during breakfast as
members found seats. The Blue Notes
sang the National Anthem and Chaplain
M. Hicks gave the invocation and the
conference began. Lt. Col. Larry Becker,
Alabama Wing Conference: the coordinator of the conference,
A Successful Weekend presided over the morning session.
“It was the best conference I’ve ever Mr. Matt Mason, Manager, Technical
attended,” was the comment generally Services and Piston Oil Research &
heard after the Alabama Wing held its Development, Air BP Lubricants division
annual conference in Huntsville, of BP, Castrol Oil spoke on statistics and
Alabama at the Four Points by Sheraton the benefits of aviation products for
Hotel. The conference began with a aircraft.
Commander’s Reception on Friday night.
After a buffet dinner, Ralph Hood kept The Key Note speaker was Paul W.
the group attending holding their sides Johnson from NASA. He is currently an
with laughter. His subject was “It’s Clear Aerospace Engineer at the National
on Top.” Humor, laughter, and a serious Aeronautics and Space Administration
message about meeting life’s problems (NASA) George C. Marshall Space
and how Civil Air Patrol helps us “get Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville,
above the weather” held everyone’s Alabama. Working within the Safety and
attention. Mission Assurance Office (S&MA), his
tasks have included being a lead safety,
quality, and reliability and
maintainability engineer for space flight
hardware destined to fly onboard the
Space Shuttle, to the International Space
Station (ISS). Currently he has been
tasked with working on multiple projects
for the new space initiative to the Moon
and Mars. Mr. Johnson is an active
member of the Huntsville Composite
Squadron.
June 2006 11
Shuttle and planetary missions. In his
multimedia presentation, he was able to
show slides of the moon and Mars
mission vehicles, as well as photos taken
by the Hubble. Cadets and senior
members alike listened to his enthusiastic
speech about NASA.
June 2006 12
Cadet Robert Byford
Cadet Ashley Clarke
Cadet John Fulbright
Cadet Joshua Glass
Cadet Joshua McCain
Cadet Christopher Smithson
June 2006 13
AL024 Awards and Promotions
With the Wing Conference right around
the corner, the Squadron Commander, 1st At the recent Wing conference held in
Lt. Poole scheduled an April plane- Huntsville, several members of the
washing event and invited all members to Tuscaloosa Composite Squadron were
participate. This is an event the awarded certificates recognizing their
Tuscaloosa Squadron enjoys regularly. service to the Civil Air Patrol.
The squadron aircraft, N9522X, is From left to right are 2nd Lt. Russell
equipped with SDIS capabilities, which Moore, 1st Lt. Claude Poole, and 1st Lt.
have been used on several missions since Jerry Lusk received The Commander’s
installation. Ten squadron members are Commendation Award for Outstanding
qualified to operate the new system, and Duty performed in the aftermath of
additional members are in the process of Hurricane Katrina.
receiving SDIS certification. The goal of
the Tuscaloosa Squadron is to have rapid- Chaplain Capt. Roger Bennett received a
response capabilities, with numerous certificate acknowledging his Level 2
trained back-up crews in the event of any achievement while attending the
incident. Chaplain’s Service Regional Staff
College. Bennett also received
recognition for completion of the Critical
Incident Stress Management – Group
Crisis Intervention course.
June 2006 14
Poole to 1st Lt., Josh Wakefield to 2nd Lt., the award with each region and act in
Russell Moore to 2nd Lt., Rick Swatloski concert with national headquarters to
to 2nd Lt., Jill Sherman to Maj., Ed present the first awards during the August
Barnes to Capt., Virginia Price to 2nd Lt., 2006 National Board.
Sharon Lusk to 2nd Lt., and Roger
Bennett to Chaplain Capt. 4. This policy remains in effect until
CAP’s regulations are updated to reflect
Congratulations to these members for this new award.
their efforts in carrying out missions for
America! <signed>
ANTONIO J. PINEDA
Major General, CAP
Commander
June 2006 15
Security Clearances adjudicated thru teens have misused prescription
other Federal Government agencies to log painkillers like Vicodin and OxyContin,
on and register their clearances in even as smoking and drinking decline,
eServices. HQ CAP-USAF will validate the Associated Press reported May 16.
the clearances on a regular basis by
verifying the information with the Researchers expressed concern that use
Federal Agency that issued the clearance. of prescription drugs may be becoming
CAP-USAF has access to the Department entrenched among youth, many of whom
of Defense security clearance database to believe that using these painkillers to get
validate clearances issued by DoD. high is safer than taking illicit drugs.
According to the PDFA's 2005
However, CAP-USAF does not have Partnership Attitude Tracking Study, 40
similar access to the databases of other percent of 7th- to 12th-graders said that
Federal Government agencies so they prescription drugs were "much safer"
will need additional help in validating than illicit drugs, 31 percent said there
clearances issued by non-DoD agencies. was nothing wrong with occasional use
If your members are submitting a of these drugs, and 29 percent thought
clearance from a non-DoD agency, they that prescription painkillers were not
should also e-mail MSgt Jason Moorhead addictive.
at Jason.Moorhead@Maxwell.af.mil and
give him the Federal agency point of Teens also told researchers that
contact for security clearances so he can prescription drugs were easy to get: 62
contact them to validate the clearance. percent said they could get powerful
painkillers at home, and 52 percent said
4. Please contact Janie Jenkins at NHQ if the drugs were "available everywhere."
you have any general questions about
security clearance matters. "That's why we're putting a lot of our
She can be reached at 877-227-9142 ext attending on educating parents," said
208 or jjenkins@cap.gov. PDFA president and CEO Steve Pasierb
said. "They don't have a frame of
reference in a lot of cases. This kind of
<signed> behavior (prescription drug abuse) didn't
exist when they were teens."
JOHN A. SALVADOR
DIRECTOR OF MISSIONS The study also found that 22 percent of
respondents smoked, and 33 percent said
they had consumed alcohol within the
past 30 days.
June 2006 16
2 Lt. Glass comes to us from Baldwin the unit. Some ten Squadron members
Co. Squadron where he served as helped out by cooking, serving food,
Communications Officer. Sam has also handling money, and eating lunch.
served as Net Control Officer for the
Region HF net. I have the utmost The big money maker was the
confidence in Sam as I'm sure you do as FLEA/FLY Market that included many
well. aviation items all of which were donated
by Squadron members. Serveral
Should you have any communications members took some time off also to wash
needs or questions please direct them to Shelby County’s C 172.
Sam. His contact information can be
found here: The activities stated when some members
http://www.alwg.cap.gov/comm/commst arrived at the Shelby County Airport
aff.htm before 7:00 AM to start cooking and the
activities ended at 3:00 PM. Lt. Col.
Continue to return your Communications Johnny Ward, Squadron Commander,
Equipment Revalidation forms to Capt Al said that this was a much needed fund
Boyd or me. This will keep confusion to raiser, but also a FUN activity with
a minimum. members working together as a team.
Please offer your assistance to Sam as he This was also a Public Relations activity
leads the Wing's Communications according to Ward. FLy In Aircraft
program into a exciting new future. included a Stearman, a Super Chipmunk,
and a T-6. The money raised will help go
Rick Hasha to paying the hanger rent and for fuel for
Lt Col CAP training.
ALWG CS
June 2006 17
Emergency Locator Transmitters on rides around Huntsville since its
have been found hidden in barns, in arrival. Thus the scattered SAR-SAT hits
trunks of cars, in hangers, and in from the day before and the “elusive”
airplanes. Huntsville Composite carrier signal on the ground on and
Squadron took a step into history to find around the airport on the 16th. A
one on the 16th of May. Huntsville malfunctioning ELT was found in the tail
personnel were sent to find an ELT in the section of the “Diamond Lil,” the oldest
North Alabama area on Monday, May B-24 still flying. The B-24 is owned and
15th. operated by the Commemorative Air
After searching Huntsville Force.
International, a non-operational crop “Diamond Lil was the 25th of over
duster field in the area and Pryor Field in 18,000 built,” according to the Diamond
Decatur, the ground team was unable to Lil website:
find anything and the signal disappeared. http://www.cafb29b24.org/index.html.
The mission was closed by AFRCC after
three passes by SAR-SATs without It was to have been delivered to
detecting a signal. Great Britain in 1941, but was involved
in an accident. Repaired, it has flown as a
On Tuesday, another signal was transport plane for various companies
detected by SAR-SAT and a new mission until the CAF acquired it in 1967. “Old
was opened and a Huntsville team was 927 ... was put in the paint scheme and
dispatched. markings of the 98th Bomb Group of the
9th Air Force” in 1971.
This time all signals were located
on or around Huntsville International
Airport. The clearly distinguishable ELT
signal was not present and only the
carrier was being transmitted. In
coordination with Airport Security and
personnel in the FAA tower, the search
team searched the airport for the elusive
signal. After several hours of searching
AFRCC concluded it was a “non-
distress” event since there were no
reported missing or overdue aircraft in or
near the area at the time of the search. 1 Lt Ian Johnston, Capt Barry Roberts, and
The decision was made to postpone the Lt. Col Gene Mitcham follow the signal
search until the next day.
The search team was able to look
One last DF sweep around the inside the “Diamond Lil” and talk with
Airport was going to be the final sortie of the crew that had brought it to Huntsville
the day. The carrier wave was suddenly on tour. The complete tour schedule and
isolated to the B-24 that had just taxied details about “Diamond Lil” are available
up on the ramp outside Signature at the website.
Aviation. The B-24 had arrived the day
before, on tour, and had been taking fans
June 2006 18
Missing Georgia Aircraft found
near Tuskegee, Alabama
Notified on Wednesday, May 10th, that an
aircraft en route from Habersham
County, Georgia, had disappeared from
radar in the Tallapoosa and Macon
County area of Alabama, Lt. Col. Dennis
Flowers alerted staff and search efforts
by the Alabama Wing, Civil Air Patrol Capt. Ray Harkey, Lt Col. Rick Hasha
began. The Alabama State Troopers’ (Front), Lt. Randy McGough and Capt. Mark
Gurganus.
helicopter and the Tallapoosa County
Sheriff personnel took part in the search. Five Alabama aircraft flew nine mission
sorties, a total of twenty-five flight hours,
The Auburn Composite Squadron arrived on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday.
in the search area just four hours after the The Airborne Real-time Cueing
initial call came in on Wednesday, Hyperspectral Enhanced Recon
despite the storms in the area. The (ARCHER) system was used on
Auburn ground team coordinated early Thursday because the system is able to
activity with the Tuskegee, Lee County, identify specific objects or substances by
and Tallapoosa County Police, Fire and reflected light from an object in
Rescue, and the Alabama State Troopers. spectrums the human eye cannot see.
They assisted in providing relevant
information on the business, aircraft Ground teams from the Auburn
maintenance, friends and family for the Composite Squadron , the Autuagua-
Incident Coordinator. Some Wednesday Elmore Composite Squadron and the
afternoon searches were halted because Maxwell Composite Squadron worked
of the strong storms in the search area. tirelessly to investigate possible sites as
they were reported by air crews.
A Mission Base opened at Moton Air
Field in Tuskegee, Alabama, on The SDIS system, also used by Civil Air
Thursday morning. By 5:00 AM ground Patrol, obtained pictures of the site after
teams had signed in and were dispatched the wreckage had been located. Over 40
to the search area to be ready to respond CAP members, cadets and senior
should any sites be found by either the members, participated in the search effort
State Trooper helicopter or the CAP over the two day period.
aircraft. The American Red Cross drove
in an Emergency Response Vehicle
(ERV) to provide a canteen for the many
volunteers at the site, which was near
Camp Hill, AL. All CAP aircraft were
dispatched from Tuskegee Airport,
Moton Field.
June 2006 19
Lt. Col. Larry Becker served as the on-
scene commander and Lt. Col Dan Riley
and Lt. Col. Jim Harris served as the
UDF team. The ELT was located in a
Cessna 172 on the ramp at Moontown
Airport and silenced at 0343Z.
June 2006 20
missions staff. The photos taken by
Capt. Steve Riccio from an aircraft
piloted by Capt. Carl Foster clearly show
what a good day it was.
Glider Operations
Every CAP Cadet can receive five Glider A certificate of appreciation was
Orientation Flights FREE. The Shelby presented to Mr. Ronnie Suddeth of
County Squadron heads up the Alabama Lineville for his continued support of the
Wing glider program. The flights may be Clay County Flight and for his
arranged by contacting Lt. Col Johnny participation in our training events as
Ward, Commander, at 205-941-1691 well as his financial support.
(home) 205-910-5856 (cell) or email me Many citizens have supported us
at johnnyward@charter.net . The glider throughout the year, too many to name,
program is operated out of the Flying X THANKS to all of you!
Ranch Airfield in Shelby County. Cadets
and Senior Members may camp out at the Senior members Laura Fulbright and
Flying X with prior permission. Several John Luckie were promoted to
squadrons have done this. There is a lake 1st Lieutenant while John and Sherry
next to the airfield and a canoe is McCain were both presented with service
available. Senior members may get awards.
glider flights by paying the air tow ($25-
30.) plus $10 per hour for the glider. If Captain David Hester was presented the
you have never flown in a glider Exceptional Service Award for his
(sailplane), you need to try it. contribution to the relief efforts during
Hurricane Katrina.
Lt. Col. Johnny Ward
Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Joshua
McCain and Cadet Chief Master Sergeant
Clay County Awards Ceremony Travis Fulbright were presented
Meritorious Service Awards, Lifesaving
Tuesday, May 9,2006, was a very special Awards and Commanders
night for Clay County Flight Commendation Awards. Both these
Civil Air Patrol as they held their Young men worked alongside rescue
Promotion and Award Ceremony at the workers providing food and water to the
Clay County Farmers Market. Many victims of Hurricane Katrina in southern
guests were on hand to celebrate with the Mississippi for several days.
cadets as there achievements and
promotions were recognized.
Cadet Caleb Branch was promoted to
Cadet Master Sergeant and received
Major Harris, Air Force Reserve
several other awards for his service in his
Assistant, attended the ceremony and
flight and community. Cadet Tim Kyner
presented many of the awards.
was promoted to Staff Sergeant and
June 2006 21
received his Wright Brothers ribbon for
his achievements. Cadet Zachary Amason The Summer 2005 Newsletter was
was promoted to Cadet Airman and Hurricane Preparedness. The material is
received his Curry ribbon for his still relevant. It is available on the web
achievement. site at www.alwg.cap.gov.
Pat Mitcham
Maj. CAP
DPA
June 2006 23
\
24 June – 1 July
Commander: Maj Richard Griffith, CAP Cadet Commander: C/Maj Brian McGinley, CAP
The Mississippi/Alabama Wing Encampment will take place at the Air National Guard
CRTC in Gulfport, Mississippi. Additionally, cadets will tour and participate in activities at
Keesler Air Force Base and Stennis Space Center.
For more information, including an application package, frequently asked questions section, staff
listing, and packing list, go to www.alwg.cap.gov and click on the encampment link.
June 2006 24