north central region - oct 2008

8/7/2019 North Central Region - Oct 2008

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NCR News October 2008 Page 1

Citizens Serving Communities: Above and BeyondNorth Central Region NewsVolume 2008 October

Colonel Steve Kuddes

Commander, North Central Region

I am pleased to announce a new member of the NorthCentral Region staff or more appropriately, announce thereturn of Rex Glasgow to the Civil Air Patrol. Hismembership became official 1 October 2008.

Rex has served as a squadron commander in Iowa Wing,as the Iowa Wing commander, North Central Regioncommander and the National Vice commander. He bringsa wealth of information and expertise back to us in theNorth Central Region and to Civil Air Patrol.

As soon as he completes all of the requirements such asthe CAP Foundations Course, Cadet Protection Trainingand OPSEC, Rex will be working with Captain Sue Grantat the region headquarters. His official duty assignmentwill be announced later.

Also, due to some changes at the Red Cross building in Cedar Rapids, our offices will be moving sothere will be some disruption for a short time while phone and fax lines plus Internet service is beingmoved. That will be occurring sometime this month so requests for awards, promotions etc will bedelayed for a short time as the office is packed up in preparation for the move.

Please join me in welcoming Rex back to Civil Air Patrol and the North Central Region as we continueto move forward as the best region in the Civil Air Patrol.

In this Issue

Kansas cadet receives Spaatz Award Leaders complete National SAR Management Training North Dakota Wing impresses local officials And MUCH MORE!!!!!


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Commanders ColumnCol Steve KuddesCommander, North Central Region

The North Central Region, along with the rest of CAP, has just concluded thefiscal year. That means new money is available for training and CadetOrientation rides but for us, it means a new way to do business.

The NCR staff has been actively working on their plans and activities for thenext 12 months. Our goal is to provide the best possible professional supportto all 7 Wings of the North Central Region and to our members.

All of us at NCR believe it is our mission to provide the support required by our Wings to make their missions asuccess.

Whether it is helping with SLS, CLC or conducting the Region Staff College or Chaplains Region StaffCollege, we need to provide the Professional Development Programs to help shape the leaders of CAPfor tomorrow and beyond.

We need to train our Public Affairs Officers so they can tell our story resulting in new members who canshare the opportunities we have or letting America know we are here ready, willing and able to help atany time.

Our Cadet Program gives our young adults life experiences that are unique to CAP and helps preparethem for an incredibly successful future.

And in Emergency Services, we must make sure we are ready to serve professionally by training andbeing prepared to provide the best possible service to our communities, states and country in time ofneed.

Since my space here is limited, I have mentioned only a few of our staff areas. But rest assured we are allexcited at the plans we have for the next 12 months and beyond. Colonel Tom Weston, Colonel Dale Hoiumand I are very proud and blessed to have a region staff of very professional people with many years of serviceand experience in CAP.

In a few months, we will be ready to close out 2008 and start a new calendar year. With that comes the timewhen our Wing commanders will be welcoming nominations from our members for numerous annual awards.

A list of those awards and when they are due at Wing, Region and NHQ will be posted on the NCR website. Iencourage every member to nominate a member through your chain of command so we can recognize andhonor the service they provide.

In October 2009, we will meet again at the North Central Region Conference in Des Moines, IA to learn andcelebrate another successful year in the North Central Region and CAP.

North Central Region Newsis published monthly by the North Central Region, Civil Air PatrolCol. Steve Kuddes, Region Commander Maj. Al Pabon, Director of Public Affairs

Please send submissions by the 10th of each month to: [email protected]


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Kansas Wings Scalia receives top cadet recognitionLt. Col. Ronald BehmPublic Affairs Officer, New Century Composite Squadron

Cadet Col. Nathan F. Scalia of the New CenturyComposite Squadron has been recognized with Civil

Air Patrol's highest cadet honor, the Gen. GeneralCarl A. Spaatz Award, presented by U.S. Rep.Dennis Moore during a ceremony at the OlatheKansas Army National Guard Armory.

Also participating in the presentation were Col.Regina Aye, Kansas Wing commander; Lt. Cols.Dominick Italliano, New Century squadroncommander and former deputy commander ofcadets, John Marek; and Maj. Roger Eaton of theMissouri Wing's Cass County Composite Squadron.

Scalia has been active in CAP since October 2002.He has trained in ground team search and rescue

and has participated in a variety of National CadetSpecial Activities during summer breaks, includingNational Blue Beret in 2004, Cadet Officer School in2005 and the International Air Cadet Exchange in

2007, which took him to Hong Kong.

He served as Missouri Wing Encampment cadet commander this year and has served as the New Centurysquadron's cadet commander.

A graduate of Olathe North High School, he is attending Johnson County Community College and plans topursue a medical degree.

TOPEKA, KANSAS -- Cadets from

across the Kansas Wing along with afew senior members flew on a KC-135R "Stratotanker" from the 190th AirRefueling Wing, Kansas Air NationalGuard. During the flight, cadets got toexperience an actual mid-air refuelingwhile the Boeing-built tanker refueleda Northrop-Grumman B-2 "Spirit"Bomber high above Missouri on Sept23rd.

Cadet Col. Nathan Scalia's father, Michael Scalia, pins on his son'snew rank as U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore presents him with the Gen. CarlA. Spaatz Award. Photo by 1st Lt. Paul Carney


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NCR Officers attend Inland Search and Rescue Planning CourseCapt Chris HavranHealth Services Officer, North Central Region

Members of the North Central Region joined fellow search and rescue professionals in advancing their searchand rescue capabilities by attending the Inland Search and Rescue Planning Course, taught by staff from the AirForce Element of the National Search and Rescue School.

The National Search and Rescue School is a joint training agency, established in 1966, between the U.S. AirForce and the U.S. Coast Guard. The Air Force Element is part of the Air Force Rescue Coordination Centerand is tasked with Inland Search and Rescue training. The Coast Guard Element is tasked with Maritime Searchand Rescue training.

Lt Col Eric Steward, the director of the Air Force Element of the National SAR School and MSgt Jen Lyons,the NCOIC of the Air Force Element taught the course at Camp Grafton, North Dakota, from 22 26September 2008.

Teaching this course reminds me of what is good about America, said Lt Col Steward in his closing comments,its people like you, who put yourself in harms way and give of your time and talents, embracing the motto:these things we do, that others may live.It is quite a humbling experience to meet and talk with such fine

citizens of this great country. said Steward.

The students represented many differentagencies - including members of the NorthDakota State Patrol Emergency ResponseTeam and Aviation Wing, North DakotaParks and Recreation, Three AffiliatedTribes Game and Fish, Cavalier County(ND) Search and Rescue, Bottineau County(ND) Emergency Management and Drayton(ND) Fire and Rescue. The NCR membersin attendance were Col Walter Vollmers(NDWG HQ), Lt Col Kevin Iverson (BismarckComposite SQDN, NDWG), Maj Bill

Goldammer (NDWG HQ), Maj William Kay(NDWG HQ), Maj Darrel Pittman (NDWGHQ), Maj Michael Provencher (NDWG HQ),Maj Deryl Miles (Lewis and Clark CompositeSQDN, SDWG) and Capt Chris Havran

(NCR HQ).

Graduates of the Inland Search and Rescue Planning Courseare awarded a certificate and are authorized towear the National Search and Rescue School patch and pin.

U.S. National Search and Rescue School Patch

Lt Col Steward giving a briefing during the Inland SAR Planning CourseatCamp Grafton (Devils Lake), ND. Photo courtesy of MSgt Jen Lyons, USAF.


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Squadron's first SAREXCapt Eric DeanCommander, Laclede County Composite Squadron, Missouri Wing

Lebanon, MO - Just as we celebrate our first complete year as a unit, we find ourselves getting busy with ES.We decided to do our first unit SAREX, and having attended many in the past, we laid out an extremely

aggressive training schedule.

Since we have built up such a large contingent of pilots, one of our primary goals for this exercise was ground toair coordination, and at the same time getting pilots oriented with ground team procedures. The results werefantastic. The first morning started off with a little confusion, as we struggled to get sign-ins and proper formsout, the tent set up, and teams picked for the days adventures. We did quickly sort out everything and things gotsmoother and smoother as the day wore on. We chose fairly basic areas for the first day ELT locations, andmade those locations extremely challenging for day two. We had the aircraft locating ELT's and guiding groundteams in before proceeding to a second location. We even had scanners locating smoke, mirror signals, andground signals all while performing the ELT missions. All personnel performed admirably, especially consideringthat many of them had never been out on a CAP ground team before.

With the new qualifications and experiences, and the first SAREX out of the way, we now have a moreenergized group about ground operations, and all are much more comfortable with ground/air operations afterhaving experienced the "other side".

We are now looking forward to more difficult training and our next SAREX.

Inspiring Colors PresentationCapt Eric DeanCommander, Laclede County Composite Squadron, Missouri Wing

Lebanon, MO - One of the greatest feelings in the world is to feel useful right? As a functioning Color Guard oneof those fuzzy feelings is getting requested to post Colors for something admirable. Seems like lately our ColorGuard has been extremely busy doing just that, and the requests keep coming.

On Monday, 29 SEP, our Color Guard had the honor to be requested to post the colors for the MSDA, MissouriDeputy Sheriffs Association, annual conference and banquet.

Our cadets showed up early on Monday morning, and the Sheriffs had kindly reserved us a parking spot right upfront. As the cadets geared up, they talked about being a little intimidated by the fact that these were officers ofthe law, and there were so many of them! However, as we stood at the back of the room with the flags, all linedup and ready to go, many of those officers passed us and commented on how sharp the cadets looked, andhow they appreciated them being there. The cadets lost some of their trepidation, and once again, performed anawesome presentation in a room they had not previously got to see.

As their commander, I would like them all to know, and anyone else who reads this, how proud I am of theirachievements and efforts. And to the Deputy Sheriffs who requested us, thank you for the honor of presentingthe Colors for you.

Fore more news from Missouri Wing Please go to


6/13


Special Ground Team Search and Rescue Training2d Lt George SupanPublic Affairs Officer, Anoka County Composite Squadron, Minnesota Wing

CAP conducted classroom instructions on groundteam search and rescue, air search and publicaffairs. After the classroom presentations Policeand Fire Department members went to a large openarea for field training on September 20, 2008 atSpring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds Fire Station #3 in

Blaine, MN.

Blaine Mayor, Tom Ryan (pictured above) andPolice Capt. Kenny Fenner joined pilot, 1st Lt ShellySupan in the CAP airplane. They flow over thetraining area to view the training from the air. Youcould see a cat on the ground in the parking lot,said Mayor Ryan.

In the tall grass your couldnt identify people thatdid not have an orange or yellow vest, said CaptFenner. We did see Rescue Annie lying on theground, he said.

The Police and Fire Departments were trained online search and looking for clues of a lost person.When a searcher found a personal article such as acap, jacket or t-shirt the search line would stop and

evaluate what they found the direction the lostperson might be going.

After some time searching, the lost person, RescueAnnie (the first aid CPR training mannequin) wasfound.

The CAP class room presentations were by CaptAndy Bosshart, Anoka Composite SquadronCommander; 1

stLt Jay Spreitzer, Emergency

Services Trainer; 1st

Lt Shelly Supan, DeputyCommander and pilot; 2

ndLt George Supan, Public

Affairs Officer; Senior Member Don Raleigh,Emergency Services Officer. Also assisting in thefield exercise were Capt David Mansheffer andC/A1C Charles Atchison. .

Two search dogs and there trainers, CAPmembers, 2nd Lt Monika Oldenburg and SeniorMember Denise Kvale demonstrated the dogs skillsin finding a person in the tall grass and in thewoods.

A second training search was conducted in thewoods and again Rescue Anne was found.

Fire Capt, Harlan Lundstrom was in the CAP

airplane during the second search. He said, Theview from the air could aid in a grass fire looking forhot spots. We could have used the airplane threetime the last couple of weeks, he said.

Mayor Ryan along with Police and Fire Departmentmembers all said they learned a lot with the trainingand want do more with CAP in the future.


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Photo by Capt. Lynette Boese and pilot Major Tim Boese, Grand Forks Composite Squadron

North Dakota Members Impress Emergency Management Officials.Major Troy KrabbenhoftPublic Affairs Officer, North Dakota Wing

It was another mission to show the local, state and federal officials that the Civil Air Patrol is a precise, proficientand professional organization. Members across the state of North Dakota took part in a Roads Acting as Dams(RAAD) exercise.

Civil Air Patrol members took over 200 photos of aerial footage for a much needed birds eye view of various

possible weak spots on the ground.

Devils Lake has brought havoc to local citizens in recent years with the massive acreage it has consumed dueto flooding. With heavy rains in 1993 the lake rose 5 feet in 6 months and hasnt stopped since. It has risen 24feet in the last 15 years consuming over 81,000 acres of houses, trees, farmland etc. The lake is currently120,000 acres with no stop in site. It is forecasted to rise and consume up 300,000 acres in the years to come.

This has been an ongoing battle for the engineers of the community and state. Major Bill Kay is the NorthDakota Director of Operations and was the incident commander of this mission he states this was the firstopportunity to work with Ramsey County and the department of emergency management to help protect theDevils Lake basin.

Kay also said that This was a very successful exercise with over 200 photos provided to the local, state, andfederal agencies

They were pleasantly surprised by the support of an all volunteer organization and enjoyed working with theCAP. It was great for the members to hone in their skills on an exercise so when they are on a mission they willbe that much better.

During the exercise there was also a mock search and rescue of a civilian boat that was also a success. Thisexercise was put together by the Emergency Management office to see how Ramsey County could react to anybreaches in the roads that are currently acting as dams.

Civil Air Patrol assists with airport re-dedication


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Capt Jim HarrisTri County Senior Squadron, Minnesota Wing

On Sunday, September 14th, Minnesota Congressman James Oberstar was the guest speaker when the City ofWalker rededicated the city airport.

The congressman has represented the 8th

Congressional District of Minnesota for 34 years and he is thechairman of the House Transportation Committee where he is a strong advocate of general aviation. When

federal and state funding was needed to improve the Walker city airport, the congressmans assistance wasinstrumental in moving the project forward.

The City had requested support from Civil Air Patrol for the airport rededication ceremony. The Tri-CountySenior Squadron (based at the Walker airport) hosted a pancake breakfast reception and the NorthlandComposite Squadron (based at the Bemidji airport) provided a cadet honor guard.

Civil Air Patrol leaders who attended the event included the North Central Region Vice Commander ColonelTom Weston, Minnesota Wing commander, Colonel Tom Theis, Vice Commander Major Jerry Rosendahl andGroup One Commander Lt. Col. Dave Odette.

When the congressman arrived (picturedleft), the cadet honor guard came to

attention and saluted, and in return, asalute of respect was given back to thehonor guard by the Congressman. Thishighly visible moment of mutual respectwas observed by the public.

The city airport commission presentedthe congressman with a plague. Thecongressman then addressed the public.When the congressman spoke heacknowledged the contributions Civil AirPatrol has made to the nation. Hecommented that the youth of day

needed to be trained to be the leaders inaviation in the future.

North Central Region creates on-line forum for Health Services Officers

Capt Chris Havran, the regions Health Services Officer (HSO) recently created a special forum for HSOs onYahoo! Groups. This forum is for current Health Services / Medical / Nurse Officers - and their assistants -throughout the region to communicate and exchange ideas with one another.

Membership in Civil Air Patrol and appointment as a Health Services / Medical / Nurse Officer (or assistant

Health Services Officer) within the North Central Region is required for group membership.

To join, please send an e-mail with your name, CAPID, unit and duty assignment - from the home page( http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NCR_HSOs/)


9/13


Dining Out banquet: Best praises CAP systemBrad Swenson Bemidji PioneerPublished Sunday, October 12, 2008 (reprinted with permission)

Capt. Terrence Best, squadron commander of theNorthland Composite Squadron of the Civil AirPatrol based in Bemidji tells of the need for a

system in place to succeed, and CAP provides thatsystem, during his keynote remarks Saturday nightat the squadrons Dining Out banquet at BemidjiState University. Pioneer Photo/Brad Swenson

Best (pictured above) said he believes the Civil AirPatrol has a system of learning, and the cadets wehave here today show that they have a system.Theyre orderly, theyre respectful, and theyre kind.They learned that through Civil Air Patrol.

CAP, an U.S. Air Force auxiliary, offers its CadetProgram for youth ages 12 to 21 in developingleadership, community service and in emergencyservices, such as aiding search and rescuemissions.

Cadets can move onto the Officer Program foradults. That program offers training in emergencyservices, First Aid, search and rescue, ground teamtraining, scanner and observer training, leadershipdevelopment and homeland security.

Civil Air Patrol has a military system, but that canbe spun off from when were not performing afunction, said Best, who is an anesthesiologist atNorth Country Regional Hospital.

CAP has three missions, he said: Aerospace,emergency services and cadet programs.

Cadets are taught model rocketry, aerodynamicsand the principles of flight. Qualifying cadets learnto fly a Cessna 172 at age 16. Cadets participate insearch and rescue exercises locally and statewide,

go through a winter encampment boot camp, andlearn survival techniques.

Theyre taught discipline, they have a plan, Bestsaid. They go to leadership labs. Service beforeself, respect for themselves and others mentoring.

Dining Out is a formal banquet held to maintain andbuild espirit de corps and camaraderie among thesquadron members and to introduce invitedcommunity members to the history, customs andtraditions of the Civil Air Patrol. It receives no stateor federal funds, and must rely on donations. TheAir Force does contribute government surplusequipment and uniforms.Best said the local squadron nearly folded abouttwo years ago when it had only eight cadets.Through hard work and recruiting, the NorthlandComposite Squadron now stands at nearly 60members. It is one of 23 squadrons in Minnesota,and the fifth largest.

From left are Betty Dunbar, widow of Bob Dunbar; BernadetteJorstad, widow of Bob Jorstad; and, Capt. Terrence Best,

squadron commander.

Widows of the squadrons early founders werehonored guests and given bouquets and special

recognition. They include Bernadette Jorstad,widow of Bob Jorstad, and Betty Dunbar, widow ofBob Dunbar. Unable to attend was Sally Steffen,widow of Woodrow Steffen.

To our honored guests, Mrs. Dunbar and Mrs.Jorstad, your husbands had a dream and a mission

its in good hands, Best said. I want to thankyou for helping us keep the dream alive andperform our mission.


10/13


Dining Out, continued from page 9

Just since June, Bemidji CAP senior volunteerhours have totaled more than 3,500 hours andcadets have performed more than two communityservice projects a month, such as Beltrami CountyFair parking assistance and wheelchair brigade,United Way events and helping the Paul Bunyan

Fish Fry.

The squadron also participated in 21 Wing activitiesin the last 12 months, with local members servingas staff for 18 of those activities.

Several community members also praised the localCAP for reinvigorating itself and in providingcommunity service.

State Rep. Larry Howes, R-Walker, said one of thereasons he sought public office was to learn moreabout community efforts that work, such as CAP

and to honor them.

Howes has carried legislation for the MinnesotaConservation Corps, another youth organization,and was able to take it out of state government andcreate it as a private entity. They are thrilled todeath, an d they are succeeding as a private entity.

He called the CAP as part of a giant wheel ofprivate sector entities that volunteer thousands ofvolunteer hours for the betterment of theircommunity. They dont get any taxpayer dollars they do this all on their own and they do anoutstanding job.

Bemidji Mayor Richard Lehmann said he wanted tostand before you and say thank your for theservice that you provide for our community. I knowthat our young Civil Air Patrol cadets are at somany of our functions, whether its something goingon down at the waterfront or Beltrami County Fair orany of a multitude of events that are happeninghere.

CAP discipline is shown through their actions andefforts to their work, Lehmann said. We need themto be the leaders, and they are forming themselvesinto our leaders of the future.The United Way of Bemidji Area has beensupporting the Civil Air Patrol for the last threeyears, said Executive Director Ashli Bowen.

If youve ever had a moment to see the youth andadults in action, its truly privilege, Bowen said.Just to see that this community taking pride isshowing you that have great morals and greatvalues, that they have respect for other people andmost important that they have respect forthemselves as well in our community.

CAP volunteers in the community and expectsnothing in return, she said. Youre out there, yourein the community, you care about the community,and thats really important.

A number of awards were given, including a specialaward to Capt. Kenneth Hartwig who is retiring asthe squadrons communications officer.

Cadet awards included:

Service Before Self Kristin Schrader. High Speed Low Drag for self motivation

Beau Braun. VFW Non-Commissioned Officer Award

Master Sgt. Doug Coutlee. VFW Officer Award 2nd Lt. Ethan

Sundquist. Air Force Association Sergeants Award

Staff Sgt. Eric Heinonen. Hartwig Cadet of the Year Runner Up

Kristin Schrader Hartwig Cadet of the Year Award

Rebekah Schrader. Billy Mitchell Award C/2nd Lt. Ethan

Sundquist.

Also, the squadron, in re-investing back into thecommunity, presented a $250 check to BeltramiCounty Sheriff Phil Hodapp and Emergency

Services Director Beryl Wernberg for the BeltramiCounty Community Guard.


11/13


St. Cloud officer graduates fromBlue Beret AcademyCapt Richard SprousePublic Affairs Officer, Group 2, Minnesota Wing

A record turnout of Civil Air Patrol Cadets andSenior Officers representing 38 Wings fromaround the world participated in the NationalBlue Beret Academy 2008 in Oshkosh,Wisconsin playing a key role in the success ofthe worlds largest air show, The ExperimentalAircraft Association (EAS) AirVentureOshkosh.

"National Blue Beretis truly an amazingexperience" saidCaptain ShawnWarneke (left), CAP

Officer and pilotfrom MinnesotaWings St. CloudCompositeSquadron.

Warneke said thatall of the attendees,Cadets (those ages12 to19) as well as

the Senior members were very motivated,disciplined and a very dedicated group.

This years EAA event known as the "WorldsGreatest Aviation Celebration attractedaviation enthusiasts from over 75 countriesand drew record crowds despite high gasprices and a struggling economy.

To be considered for the Blue Beret membersover the age of 16 must apply and then arevery carefully screened before being officiallyinvited to attend. Attendees generally areresponsible for paying their own expenses.

Those attending Blue Beret are able to see allthree of Civil Air Patrols missions - aerospaceeducation, emergency services and cadetprograms - in action.

"What begins as an encampment-likeatmosphere with intense training soon

transitions into a mission in which leaders arechosen and flights or teams are formed,"Warneke said. Specific duties are thenassigned to each flight.

Duties included kitchen duty, facility accesscontrol, aircraft marshalling, and emergency

services including first aid and search andrescue duties.

Captain Warneke, having a background inaircraft marshalling was placed in command ofa flight of CAP Cadets and Seniors chargedwith the marshalling and safety of all arrivingand departing flights. During the 2 weeks onduty Warnekes flight team marshaled over10,000 aircraft safely in and out of theOshkosh Airport.

In addition, the personnel were credited withlocating 33 overdue flights and 14 ELTlocations of missing aircraft.

Two special details this year involved cadetsserving as escorts for HarrisonFord and John Travolta, both of whom areaviation enthusiasts.

Graduates of the Blue Beret program receiveda special commendation and a thank you fromthe Warbirds, and the Air Force Office of

Special Investigations adding that they were soimpressed that they wish to return and workmore with the CAP cadets and their programs.

As a graduate of the Blue Beret programWarneke was presented with his personal BlueBeret, which becomes an official part of theCAP uniform and worn only by graduates ofthe academy.

Also, Warneke's flight team was awarded"Honor Flight" status for its performance and

achievement throughout the Blue Beretprogram.


12/13


Viking Squadron Aerial ImagingTrainingBy 2d Lt. Erik LindquistPublic Affairs OfficerViking Squadron, Minnesota Wing

Viking Squadron has put a high emphasis on

training its flight crews to be proficient in the use ofAerial Imaging (AI) equipment during flights.

As with all electronic equipment, there is a learningcurve to work out all the little bugs in order to form aworkable understanding of the process. Aerialimaging offers so much potential support forfederal, state, and local government.

Squadron Emergency Officer 1st Lt Mario Fabrizio reviews aerialimaging equipment with flight crewmembers.

There are great advantages of taking aerialphotographs and being able to download them fromthe airplane to a ground center for review. It is aneffective way to communicate with ground teams,firefighters, law enforcement, and governmentofficials what challenges they might face on theground.

Having trained aircrews increases the effectivenessof this air to ground communication. Whether it isto view damage to structures, floodwaters, forestfires, grass fires, building fires, animal populations,plane crashes, vehicle crashes, and missing

persons, the scenarios seem endless.

Being able to take clear photographs, record them,and transmit them to the ground while you arebouncing around in the back seat of the airplanecan be a challenging task.

Viking squadron emergency services officers haveset a goal to effectively train and qualify all flightcrewmembers in AI training using a variety ofmethods on the ground as well as in the air.

The squadron continues to improve itself in order toeffectively serve the community when called upon.

Viking Squadron CadetsParticipate with O-FlightsBy 2d Lt. Erik LindquistPublic Affairs Officer

Viking Squadron, Minnesota Wing

(L-R) C/SSgt Lydia Wiff, Major Brent Halweg, and C/AMN DrakeWillis just after an Orientation Flight.

Viking squadron cadets continue to enjoy takingadvantage of their great opportunity to participate inorientation flights.

Also known as O-flights, these flights are offered tocadet members of the US Air Force Auxiliary CivilAir Patrol. The program is voluntary and primarily

motivational and it should stimulate an interest ingeneral aviation and aerospace activities. Theprogram is offered to cadets between the ages of12 18 years of age.

The goal of the cadet orientation flight program is tointroduce youth to flying through hands-onorientation flights in single engine aircraft andgliders. Each cadet is offered (free of charge tothem) five single engine aircraft flights and fiveglider flights.

These flights are intended to stimulate the cadets

interest in aviation, and many cadets findthemselves going on to attending wing flightacademies where cadets can learn to fly. For manycadets the program is a stepping-stone to a careeror private participation in aviation.

Many of their fondest and earliest memories ofaviation will be formed with this great program.


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north central region - oct 2008

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