arizona wing - oct 2006

8/8/2019 Arizona Wing - Oct 2006

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Volume 4 Issue 6 WingTips, October 2006

Arizona WingChange of Command

October 28, 2006Southwest Regional Conference

Dallas, TX

Colonel William Lynch assumes the AZ Wing Flagof Command from the National Commander,Maj Gen Antonio J. Pineda, as relinquishingCommander, Colonel Ernest Bourgeois looks on.

Editor:Capt J. Brandon MasangcayAsst Director, Public Affairs

Submissions to:[email protected]

Inside this issue:

Colonel Bourgeoismoves up to South-west Region

2

Commanders Desk 3

Chaplains Corner 4

Command FirstSergeants Note

5

Maj Richard LahertyThe Rocket Man

6-7

Cadets support2006 Goodyear

8-11

Verde Valley Cadetreceives Gen IraEaker Award

12

Tribute -Maj Jeff Ohman

13

Final Take Off 14

Arizona Wing Civil Air Patrol


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Colonel Bourgeois has served the Civil Air Patrol well since hejoined in 1989. He was squadron commander of the SedonaSquadron 205. In 1995, he moved to Hawaii and joined the Kauaiand the Maui Composite squadrons. He returned to Arizona in late1996 and became the squadron commander of 205 again, and thenGroup 2 Commander. In 1999, the islands called him back, until2001 when he returned to the mainland and California where hewas once again a squadron commander. In 2003, Col. Bourgeoisreturned to Arizona and became Chief of Staff under Col. Varljen.In October 2005, Col. Bourgeois became the Wing Commander, but

now he is moving up again. He is moving up to the SouthwestRegion as Director of Southern Border Operations . With all of hisexperience and expertise, he will surely be an asset to ourSouthwest Region.

At the Wing Staff meeting on 14 October, Colonel (elect) BillLynch, Incoming Wing Commander, presented Col. Bourgeois aplaque to show our appreciation for his outstanding dedication and

Colonel Bourgeoismoves up to the

Southwest RegionArticle by Lt Col Patricia Brower

Page 2 WingTips, October 2006


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Commanders DeskColonel William Lynch

Arizona Wing Commander

I would like to start off by taking an opportunity to extend my thanks and well wishes to

Colonel Ernest Bourgeois, our former Wing Commander. It will be a challenge to try to fillthe void that he leaves, but I am sure that he will be able to do even bigger and betterthings to help us continue to succeed in his new role at Southwest Region. He will be trulymissed, and I promise you that I will do my very best to continue to carry on and improveupon his legacy in our quest to become recognized the best Wing in the nation.

If we all take a moment to look back at what we have accomplished in the past year withall of the awards and accolades that have been bestowed upon us, it is simply amazing.Between our Drill and Color Guard teams dominating the National Competition, to ourvery successful Wing Conference and our impressive Border Patrol Training Missions, wehave a lot to be very proud of. We have had more of our cadets than ever before enteringour Armed Forces and Military Service Academies, stepping up to the plate to become our

future leaders. It is teamwork and dedication like this that will continue to propel us intothe very best the future has to offer.

It is both an honor and privilege to be able to serve all of you, in the hopes that we canall work together as a team to improve both our state of readiness and best operationalpractices. There are many opportunities to serve our community and our nation that weare only just beginning to work towards, and the Wing Staff and I are here to help youmeet and exceed your expectations. We are working very hard with your GroupCommanders to ensure that we continue to streamline and properly prepare for, andcarry out our Air Force assigned missions with safety and professionalism always being ofutmost importance. I urge all of you to take some time to set some short and long term

goals so that your leadership team can try to help you strive for in the future.Remember our Wing Motto, Progress Through Leadership, and how you can help toapply that towards what you do and how you go about doing it. The sky isnt the limitanymore, and you make a difference in the lives of everyone you interact with. Its up toall of us to take a stand together and strive to become bigger and better, and thinkoutside the box when performing our duties. The challenges that await us must be methead on, with the determination and resolve that we are known for in Arizona Wing.

Page 3Volume 4, Issue 6


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Chaplains Corner

Chaplain (Lt Col) Morris CourtrightArizona Wing Chaplain

The end of this month Arizona Wing and Southwest Region will undergo the exchangeof the privilege that has befuddled Moses, challenged Churchill, and has driven someto amazing achievement Command.

We will say farewell to both our Wing and Region Commanders and greet our newleaders, we ask your blessing on each of them. Both Col. Ernest Bourgeois and Col.Tom Todd have served CAP well and deserve our congratulations and blessings.

Col. Bill Lynch and Col. Reggie Chitwood will be taking command of the wing andregion respectively and will be faced with the numerous tasks of working to continuethe outstanding records of our units and simultaneously solving the new problemsbeing brought to us by the slowly evolving change in the missions of CAP.

We who have served with old and will serve with the new must be united in ourefforts to help these new leaders as they assume the awesome mantle of command.

Some leaders are born, some are made, and some are self made. But in all casesthey are in the position described best by President Harry S. Truman many years agowith the phrase; The buck stops here.

We ask the Lord, to inspire each of us to do our best each day and lead us to serveour leaders with the energy, enthusiasm, and effectiveness they deserve. Rememberthat our commanders and leaders are also volunteers just as we are. May each of usput forth that extra effort to help our new leaders make the transition smooth andseamless in the weeks and months ahead.



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Command First SergeantNotes

By SMSgt Del Rubi,

AZ Wing Command First Sergeant

As Air Force Auxiliary members assigned to the Arizona Wing Civil Air Patrol, we some-times forget that our volunteerism can be considered a calling. We joined thisvolunteer organization for many reasons such as; working with cadets, search andrescue, flying, homeland security and serving our State and Nation. Our purpose orcalling should motivate us to be the best we can be in our chosen specialty, and whenwe are the best, we are known as professionals by others.

What is a professional? Our Air Force defines a professional in several ways. First, aprofessional is one who is dedicated to a vocation or to the mission. Next, aprofessional is a person who is identified with a calling requiring ethical behavior,commitment to public service, and intense preparation. Third, a professional is one

who maintains a high standard of personal and professional achievement andconduct. And lastly, a professional is one who is devoted to the concept of service,rather than personal gain. Professionals lead the way and make things happen for thebetterment of our organization and for all our AF Auxiliary comrades!



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"The task of the excellent teacher is to stimulate 'apparently ordinary' people to unusual ef-fort. The tough problem is not in identifying winners: it is in making winners out of ordinary

people." (K. Patricia Cross, contemporary author). Since May 1997 when Major RichardLaherty transferred to the AZ Wing, the Aerospace Education and Emergency Servicesprograms in Squadron 305 and throughout AZ Wing have grown by leaps and bounds, as aresult of his direction and teaching.

Currently serving as the AE Officer at Squadron 305, Major Laherty is mentoring cadets in themodel rocketry program, and teaching the AE and ES programs to the cadets and senior

officers. His years of dedication to the AE program earned Squadron 305 the AerospaceExcellence Program certificate from National Headquarters three consecutive years.

In addition to the exemplary service at Squadron 305, Major Laherty previously served as theAZ Wing ES Training Officer and the Deputy Chief of Staff of Training in which he oversawsenior officer and ES training in the Wing. He was instrumental in successfully implementingthe new AZ Wing ES program policy in which the trainee now has to demonstratecompetence in various skills and tasks to the skills evaluator in order to become qualified.

Major Laherty has been a cadet orientation pilot, holds the rating of mission pilot, served asthe IC (level 2) on several SAREX's and RedCAP missions, is an Urban DF and Ground

team member, and is a skills evaluator. Major Laherty received the Meritorious Service Awardfor his work at mission base at an USAF Evaluated SAREX in 2003, received severalCommanders Commendation awards, the Yeager AE Achievement Award, the coveted A.Scott Crossfield Award, and holds a Master Rating in the AE Specialty track.

Known for his dedication to the rocketry program, Major Laherty has participated in severalrocket launches at the squadron level, and has participated in the G. Harry Stein MemorialLaunch which is held in Rainbow Valley each October. For the upcoming year, MajorLaherty is planning to apply for grants from the AE Excellence program and the Air ForceAssociation for the benefit of funding the cadet rocketry program. Beginning in October 2006,Major Laherty began teaching and directing instruction of an advanced rocketry program in

which model rocketry instruction continues beyond the requirements for rocketrybadge. "Learning is taken one step further in which the cadets design and build their ownrockets versus building rockets from a kit. It gets the cadets more into the science andengineering of rocketry. My goal is to see the cadets go on to study and become rocketengineers", Major Laherty told me.

The AZ Wing has benefited from the teachings of Major Laherty, and will continue to growdue to his dedication and involvement in the ES and AE programs.

Major Richard LahertyThe Rocket Man

Article and Photos by:

Capt Allan Pearlstein, Sq. 305 PAO



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Cadets Support the2006 Goodyear Balloon & Air Show

20 - 23 OctoberArticle & Photos by Capt J. Brandon Masangcay

Asst. Director, Public Affairs

Photo courtesy of Blue Angels

Public Affairs



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Cadets from various squadrons from all over Arizona came to support the 2006Goodyear Balloon & Air Show. Cadets from outside the Phoenix Metro area setup an encampment area.

The air show consisted of different aircraft both civilian and military with theNavy Blue Angels Demonstration Team as the main event flying the F-18 Tom-

cat.

Cadets manned six different concession stands that sold pretzels, churros,smoothies, and Dove ice cream bars. Two chair rental booths were alsomanned by cadets.

C/Capt Stephen Stoller, the cadet commander and C/1Lt Justin Macari of theFrank Luke Cadet Squadron 356, the deputy commander demonstrated out-standing leadership and professionalism rotating teams of cadets to man sta-tions and assist when help was needed. The cadets work hard and long hoursand were always up to the task!!

The event was organized by 1Lt Robert Boykin and Capt Martin Maxwell of theDeer Valley Composite Squadron 302. Their leadership ensured the event wassupported by the cadets where needed.



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Verde Valley Composite Squadron 205Cadet Receives

Gen. Ira Eaker AwardArticle by Lt Col Mike Sue, VVCS 205 PAO

Please join me in congratulating Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Max Weaver of theVerde Valley Composite Squadron 205. Cadet Weaver has recently been awardedthe General Ira Eaker Award, making him only the 1,728th cadet to achieve thisdistinguished award since the program began in 1964.

Cadet Weaver has served as the Squadron 205 Cadet Commander, and AZ WingHonor Guard Commander, winning 1st Place in the National Cadet Competitionfor color guard for Arizona Wing. He has earned the Southwest Region BrewerAward for Aerospace Education. Cadet Weaver has received three commendationsfor integrity and excellent service from the Arizona Wing Commanders. In

addition to the General Ira Eaker Award, he has also received the Wright Broth-ers, Billy Mitchell and Amelia Earhart Awards and has mentored young people innumerous ways.

Cadet Weaver is a member of the Wesleyan Church Youth Group and theFellowship of Christian Athletes. He has earned his Varsity Letter in baseball,soccer and track & field.

Cadet Max Weaver is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy SummerScience Seminar 2006; he also graduated from the American Legion 2006 Boy'sState representing Sedona Red Rock High School.

Cadet Weaver has received acceptances from West Point, Annapolis, and the USAir Force Academy, the latter being his institution of choice.


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Tribute toMajor Jeff Ohman

Article by

Capt Martin Gerhard, DCC,Falcon Field Composite Sqdrn 305

Last April our Squadron lost one of its long time members unexpectedly. Major JeffOhman, an Air Force reservist, and long time member of CAP Squadron 305, diedsuddenly at age 41. He was very active with our cadet program, spending countlesshours teaching aerospace education and leadership skills. He was also a Tempe PoliceOfficer and a pilot.

As an avid private pilot, he had purchased a Cessna 150 just before his passing. Hisairplane was his pride and joy, and he flew it often to sharpen his flying skills and toprepare for additional pilot ratings. In his honor, two CAP members of Squadron 305have founded the Major Jeff Ohman Memorial Flight Foundation, with the mission ofproviding aviation education to America's youth. With concurrence of the OhmanFamily, we have purchased his aircraft to fulfill this mission.

The airplane had been sitting on the ramp at the Chandler Municipal Airport for overone year and was in dire need of maintenance. Together with volunteer mechanicsprovided to us generously by Chandler Air Service, Captain's Hoesel and Gerhard, and

former Army helicopter Mechanic Lt. Winters, of Squadron 305, participated in anowner assisted annual inspection, and after about a month's worth of work were able toget Major Ohman's aircraft in airworthy condition. Several of our cadets came out tolend a hand as well, and learned a thing or two about aircraft maintenance. After 10+hours of test flying, we gave our first introductory airplane rides to CAP cadets thisweek, under the EAA Young Eagles program. Once orientation flight funds are availableagain, we plan to provide official Cadet Orientation flights as well.

We are thrilled to be able to continue the work of Major Ohman, with his very ownaircraft no less! Currently we are working with the IRS to become a tax exemptorganization, much like CAP. We hope to have this approval by the end of the

month. The C150 is the perfect platform to perform this mission, as it is relativelyinexpensive to operate, a great instructional airplane for first time student pilots, and agreat hands on ground school tool for learning engines and systems. Any young personwho has an interest in flying will be able to receive an introduction to aviation via theOhman Memorial Flight Foundation, whether it is a CAP Cadet, or another young man orwoman who dreams of flight.

Keep an eye out for a C150 with the call sign N305MJ (Sqdrn 305Major Jeff) and help usremember a fellow CAP volunteer!


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The Final TakeoffThe Final Takeoff

In Remembrance of our fellow members whom have beenIn Remembrance of our fellow members whom have been

called on their final mission.called on their final mission.

Lt Col Andrew Andy Boquet of the Prescott Squadron 206, Civil Air Patrol (CAP),died Wednesday, October 18th in a plane crash near Chino Valley, Arizona. Col Boquetwas a passenger in a twin-engine Piper Cheyenne on a flight to photograph an old SovietMiG-21.

Both aircraft departed Prescotts Ernest Love Field at about 1:30 PM and wereroughly 16 miles northeast when the MiG pilot told the Cheyenne pilot that he thoughtthere was a problem with the MiGs landing gear door and asked him to fly underneathto take a look. That was the last the MiG pilot saw or heard from the other aircraft.

When the MiG-21 returned to Love Field an inspection revealed no damage to theaircraft. The charred remains of the Piper Cheyenne were located around 3:00 PM in aremote area one mile south and two miles west of Perkinsville Ranch. The pilot andthree other passengers also died in the crash. National Transportation Safety Boardinvestigators are at the scene, but have not yet released a probable cause of themishap.

Colonel Boquet joined the Prescott Squadron in 2004 and worked extensively withthe cadets. He implemented a rocketry program and conducted two weekend rocketshoots at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott campus. In 2005 Andy earnedthe Aerospace Education Yeager Award and received a Commanders Commendation.Prior to joining the CAP, he retired as a pilot/captain from Southwest Airlines in March

of 2004 at the mandatory retirement age of 60.Andy was a graduate of Notre Dame University in 1968 and was commissioned as a

2/Lt in the United States Marine Corp (USMC) where he served as a pilot for 23 yearsflying F4 Phantom, TA4J Skyhawk, and AV8A Harrier aircraft. He retired from activeduty in 1981 and continued serving in the USMC reserves until 1991.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that you make a donation in his nameto the St. Vincent DePaul Society.

arizona wing - oct 2006

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