North Central Region News

Volume 2007 July

Over 150 Attend NCR Encampment

CAP members from nine states gathered in Rapid
City, SD, for the 2007 North Central Region Encamp-
ment, July 6-15. The final number was significantly
higher than expected even a week before the encamp-
ment began, due to last minute registrations.

SDWG Flies “Devastating” Forest Fire

South Dakota Wing provided important fire spotting
capabilities in the early stages of a Black Hills forest
fire that killed one person, injured two fire fighters, and
destroyed 33 houses.
The Alabaugh Canyon Fire was sparked by light-
ning on July 7. CAP flew frequent fire observation sor-
ties in the early stages of the fire, under it's state MOU,
Col. Scott A. Vander Haam , commander of Ellsworth AFB,
until the size of the blaze caused the US Forest Ser- addresses the encampment banquet
vice agencies to bring in its own aircraft.
Continued on Page 4 Encampment activities included aerospace and
leadership training, a briefing on B-1B bombers and
In This Issue: demonstrations at the Ellsworth ABF Explosive Ordi-
nances Disposel unit, firearms training simulator, a de-
Commander's Column.................................................Page 2 manding “Project X” teamwork exercise, a “dining out”
National Cadet Competition........................................ Page 2 awards banquet, and a visit to Mount Rushmore for the
Broker Spaatz & Piehl Eaker Awards..........................Page 3 evening lighting ceremony.
Parents of cadets were kept posted on the encamp-
Sweet Sixteen Solo..................................................... Page 4
ment progress with daily blog entries and photo gal-
Civil Air Patrol a family affair....................................... Page 5
leries on the encampment website.
Cadet wins 4-H with CAP Exhibits.............................. Page 6 “We enjoyed seeing pictures of the cadets doing
Weather agency familiarization course....................... Page 6 various activities and reading about their day,” said one
Ebling & Lucas Mitchell Awards.................................. Page 7 parent. “We shared the website with grandparents and
Photo Galleries friends--it made a very favorable impression of Civil Air
NCR Encampment................................................Page 8 Patrol and may well encourage others to consider join-
MNWG CTG Encampment...................................Page 9 ing CAP in their area.”
See the encampment photo gallery on page 8

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 North Central Region News

NCR Places 6th in NCC “Commander's Call”

by Col. Sean P. Fagan
The North Central Region team at the
National Cadet Competition placed sixth,
overall. The competition, June 28-July 2 I wanted to pass along to all
in Dayton, OH, is an annual event that the members of the North Cen-
provides opportunities for cadets to mod- tral Region a letter that was re-
el traits of the highest standards of lead-cently sent out by Major Gener-
ership and personal responsibility al Pineda:
through drill, aerospace knowledge and "I am currently attending the
physical fitness. 1st Air Force Commanders
Individual NCR results were: Conference at Tyndall AFB,
Florida. I am writing to provide
Standard Drill: 4 th you with some feedback on my
Innovative Drill: 5 th experiences here and the reputation that the Civil Air Patrol is contin-
Inspection: 8 th uing to build with the Air Force. Everyone that I have met, including
Written Exam: 7 th Major General Morrow, the First Air Force Commander, and the AFR-
Mile Run: 7 th CC personnel, has conveyed to me that the Civil Air Patrol is part of
Volleyball: 6 th the Air Force family and the Air Force Team. This was particularly
Panel Quiz: 5 th evident during the awards banquet as I discovered that the Air Force
is placing the CAP aircraft images along with the Air Force aircraft
“We visited with some of the cadets images on their Meritorious Service Award certificates. In addition,
from Puerto Rico (1 st Place) and CAP was Palso mentioned several times during the banquet and are
learned how they prepare,” noted Lt. Col. total amount of sorties and life saves are included with the First Air
B.T. Marking, project officer for NCR. Force totals. "
“The whole team is from one squadron. Major General Pinada's letter, which shows the recognition and
They practice multiple days per week all acceptance of the Civil Air Patrol, is due to the hard work and dedica-
year long. Their funding allows each tion of the volunteer members of this great organization. As mem-
member to receive a totally new uniform bers of the CAP, you have proven your professionalism and dedica-
each year and have it form fitted to that tion time and time again. I would like to thank each and every one of
individual. They even get personalized you for a job well done and look forward to the continued success of
team jackets. They have a coach for vol- the Civil Air Patrol and the North Central Region.
leyball that gets them playing at the col-
lege level.”
North Central Region was represent- Col. Sean Fagan CAP
ed by a South Dakota Wing team that in- Commander
cluded cadets from five of the nine units North Central Region
in the wing.
Region Staff College Held
The North Central Region
News is published monthly CAP members
by North Central Region, Civil from North Central
Air Patrol, Lt.Col. Mike Region and beyond
Marek, editor and NCR/PAO; gathered at Offutt
Col. Sean P. Fagan, Region AFB in June for the
Commander. North Central Region
Region Staff College.
Please send submissions by The week-long
training course is a
the 10th of each month to:
requirement for pro-
motion to Lieutenant
[email protected] Colonel and the Paul
E. Garber Award.

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 North Central Region News

Valley Squadron Cadets Honored St. Cloud Cadet Earns Spaatz

Cadet/Colonel
Laura Broker, 19,
from St. Cloud,
has earned the
coveted Carl A.
Spaatz Award
from the U.S. Civil
Air Patrol. The
award is present-
ed to CAP cadets
who have demon-
strated excellence
in leadership,
character, fitness
and aerospace ed-
ucation. The
Spaatz Award is
the CAP’s highest
cadet honor.
Three cadets from Minnesota Wing’s Valley Com- The Spaatz Award is the final milestone in a CAP
posite received recognition at a recent squadron meet- cadet's career. It is earned after completing a rigorous
ing. C/Lt. Col. Benjamin Piehl received the Eaker four-part exam consisting of a challenging physical fit-
Award, the second highest award a cadet can earn, ness test, an essay exam testing their moral reason-
presented by the Minnesota Wing Commander, Col. ing, a comprehensive written exam on leadership, and
Stephen Miller. C/Lt. Col. Piehl is the former Cadet a comprehensive written exam on aerospace educa-
Commander of the squadron and has attended IACE, tion. Upon passing the Spaatz Award exams, the
MN Wing Flight Academy, and MN Wing Encamp- cadet is promoted to the grade of cadet colonel. Since
ment. the award’s inception in 1964, Civil Air Patrol has pre-
C/ Lt. Col. Benjamin Piehl, C/2d Lt. Travis Nelson, sented the Spaatz Award to just over 1,500 cadets, in-
and C/2d Lt. Veronica Olson also received Cadet Offi- cluding 45 Minnesotans. Broker is the seventh Min-
cer Awards of Distinction from Roger Lyson, Comman- nesota female cadet to receive the award.
der of VFW Post 583 in Burnsville, MN. The three Cadet Broker is the daughter of Jerry Relph and
honored cadets are all graduating seniors who have Pegi Broker-Relph of St. Cloud, and the late John Bro-
held various positions of responsibility within the ker. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Lois Broker and
squadron over their years of active membership. C/Lt Mrs. Mary Roop, also of St. Cloud. Broker is a 2006
Col Piehl (Lakeville, MN) and C/2d Lt Travis (Jordan, graduate of Cathedral High School in St. Cloud. She’s
MN) will attend the Air Force Academy in Colorado a student at the University of St. Thomas as a pre-med
Springs and C/2d Lt Veronica Olson (Eagan, MN) will biology major, and hopes to attend the School of Den-
be in the NROTC-Marines at Iowa State University. tistry at the University of Minnesota.
Minnesota Wing’s 9th CTG Thompson, a photojournalist with the state’s largest
“A great experience” newspaper, the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Thompson
produced a story and slide show depicting encamp-
Waking up at 5:30 a.m. each morning is not what ment activities.
many young people do over the summer. But from “I had never experienced anything like this (en-
June 24-30, 69 basic cadets worked their way through campment) before,” Thompson said. “I’ve never had
the 9th Minnesota Cadet Training Group encampment so many people calling me ‘sir’ in my life. It was a lot
at Camp Ripley. Twenty-nine cadets in various staff to take in, and everyone made the experience as easy
positions, 11 Staff Development Squadron members and as comfortable for me as possible.”
and 24 senior officers participated as well.
Joining the cadets for several days was Jeff See the CTG Encampment photo gallery on page 9

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 North Central Region News

Sweet Sixteen Solo Spring DDR Party at Cass

County

While most teens turning 16 are concentrating on the possibility of earn-

ing their drivers’ license shortly after their birthday, one teen was working
hard towards actually soloing a small aircraft. The Federal Aviation Rules
state that a person may acquire a Recreational or Private Pilot Certificate
at 17 years of age and may solo at age 16.
Just one day after his 16th birthday, on May 25th 2007, local Civil Air
Patrol cadet, Cadet Chief Master Sergeant John Learned soloed a Cessna Cadets, senior members, and
172 under the direction of Certified Flight Instructor and Civil Air Patrol their families enjoyed an evening
member, Captain Frank Daly. It was not until days later that Cadet of fun at the Cass County Missouri
Learned legally earned his driver’s license and was allowed to drive a car Civil Air Patrol Spring Drug De-
solo. Cadet Learned resides in Hager City, WI and is a member of the Red mand Reduction Party on May 29,
Wing Composite Civil Air Patrol Squadron. 2007.
Captain Daly described a pilots’ first solo flight as “the most memorable The event took place in Har-
experience in a pilot’s flying career.” When asked what it felt like to be in risonville at Camp Reeder, a local
control of the aircraft alone, Cadet Learned stated, “I can’t describe the Boy Scout camp area. Cadets
feeling when I took off and knew that no one was in the right seat this time. completed a written drug quiz upon
I felt nervous, confident, and free all at the same time.” arriving; a potluck dinner followed
including hot dogs and lemonade.
Forest Fire – Continued from Page 1 The highpoint of the party was the
CAP essentially acted as an Air Attack platform for state fire officials obstacle course where paired par-
to direct the aerial attack on the fire, using helicopters and single engine ticipants were connected at the
air tankers, according to Col Mike Beason, SD Wing Commander. "The leg, with one person wearing Fatal
state appreciates the availability of CAP," said Beason. "They had us on Vision Goggles. The goal was for
immediate alert status since July 1st so they could get airborne rapidly the goggled-impaired person to
when a fire would break out." lead the other throughout the
SD Wing has flown 24 sorties since early May, logging 47 hours in the course.
fire role. "Primarily the state has had us fly fire spotting sorties," said “I never knew how a small
Beason, "especially after lightning storms, but also during the Fourth of amount of alcohol could change
July fireworks season." Crews know the importance of these flights since your focus,” parent Mary Ruckman
many of them live in harms way in case of a fire. said.
The games continued including
Senior Program Dates to Remember an egg toss with raw eggs and vol-
leyball using an over sized inflated
Here are some of the key 2007 Professional Development academic courses for adult
members:
ball. Cadets won two games of
tug-of-war over senior members,
✔ National PAO Academy, 7-8 August, Atlanta. who won one match. Families and
✔ National Board, 9-11 August, Atlanta. CAP members played and visited
✔ National Staff College, 13-20 October 2007, Maxwell AFB, AL. into the evening with fun and a
DDR lesson on the minds of all.

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 North Central Region News

Civil Air Patrol a family affair soloed a day after his 16th birthday. He now serves as
By JODIE TWEED a second lieutenant in CAP and like his brother has
Reprinted with permission of the Brainerd Dispatch risen among the ranks through many leadership roles
in the squadron. They are both ground team certified
When Justin Tyner was 10 and visiting his older sis- and serve as CAP Honor Guards. Justin is now grow-
ter, Lyric, in Washington, D.C., with his family, he saw ing his hair out to prepare for when his hair is closely
children in uniforms marching in a parade and immedi- cropped June 28 when he officially enters the Air Force
ately wanted to find out how he could wear that uni- Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.
form, too. Nathaniel is a chief master sergeant and will soon
Even at that age, Justin Tyner knew he wanted to be a second lieutenant and currently serves as execu-
enter the Air Force tive officer of the Crow
Academy. Wing Squadron. He is
"I thought it was cool attending Central Lakes
because they were kids College this fall and will
and they were wearing go on to get a four-year
uniforms," said Tyner. degree, probably in crim-
They were members inal justice. Nathaniel at-
of a Civil Air Patrol unit, tended the 2006 Flight
Tyner later learned. Academy and soloed
That experience not July 20, 2006, a year af-
only led Tyner, now 17, ter his brother.
into joining the Crow Richard Tyner has
Wing Composite served in a support posi-
Squadron of the Civil Air tion for his family's par-
Patrol in July of 2003, ticipation in CAP. He has
but he got the rest of his worked with senior mem-
family involved, too. bers in remodeling the
Because of their active involvement in the Brainerd squadron hangar and
squadron, Linda and Richard Tyner, Baxter, along with has donated a campfire ring to the squadron to be
Justin and his brother, Nathaniel, 19, were named the used during training and on CAP Fun Nights. He re-
Minnesota Family of the Year by the Minnesota Wing cently committed to donating materials for a new flag
of the Civil Air Patrol at the spring state conference at pole outside the squadron building.
Breezy Point Resort. The Tyners also have two older daughters, Lyric,
"That's a huge honor," Linda Tyner said of the 28, and Harmony, 26.
award. "Rarely are there families that join Civil Air Patrol
"It was a big surprise," added Nathaniel. with such gusto and accomplish so much while giving
Linda and her two sons are squadron members invaluable service to the organization," Col. Steve
while Richard has served in a volunteer capacity. Linda Miller, Minnesota Wing commander, said of the Tyn-
has served as logistics officer and finance officer for ers. "They're the type of people any civic group would
the Crow Wing Squadron. She has been twice named love to have as members."
the Minnesota Wing Logistics Staff Member of the Linda homeschooled her two sons until they were in
Year. She has attended several search and rescue ex- ninth- and 10th-grade respectively. She said her own
ercises, taken cadets to the volleyball/lock-in activities involvement in Civil Air Patrol was a natural progres-
hosted annually at St. Cloud State University and sion during their homeschooling experience.
helped coordinate "Fun Night" for the squadron. A "To me, it's really special to be involved in kids'
nurse by trade, Linda has volunteered her time teach- lives," she said. "They're really good kids. I've been
ing basic first aid and helped coordinate CPR training very blessed."
for the CAP Emergency Services certification process. The Civil Air Patrol is a civilian auxiliary of the U.S.
She has finished up her time as the logistics and fi- Air Force. It has three main missions: aerospace edu-
nance officer and likely will next serve as health ser- cation, its cadet program and its emergency services
vices officer, she said. program that includes search and rescue and disaster
Justin, who graduated from Brainerd High School in relief operations.
May, attended CAP Flight Academy in July 2005 and JODIE TWEED may be reached at
[email protected] or 855-5858.

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 North Central Region News

Cadet Wins 4-H with CAP Ex- McMillan Directs Weather Course
hibits
Lt Col Darrell McMillan completed his second year as director of the
U.S. Civil Air Patrol 2007 AF Weather Agency Familiarization Course
held at Offutt, AFB, Omaha, NE held 16 – 23 June. McMillan spent un-
told hours prior to the activity putting everything into place and then
more hours during the activity responding to the schedules of instruc-
tors, equipment problems and other challenges with an attitude he ex-
pressed as: “Semper Gumbi” – always flexible.
Attendees
learned about
weather obser-
vation and
weather predic-
tion from the Air
Force Weather
Agency with as-
sistance from Air
Force, NOAA
Cadet 2Lt Christine Hetzel be- (National
came Roughrider Composite Oceanographic
Squadron's cadet commander the and Atmospher-
same week she won two Grand ic Administra-
Champion awards in 4-H with exhibits tion), National
about CAP. Weather Ser-
The first 4-H award was on a lead- vice, and other instructors.
ership project she created about Classes were conducted at Offutt AFB, as well as the National
CAP. The second featured her CAP Weather Service in Valley, NE with side trips to the SAC Museum and
dress uniform in a project called Buy the KETV weather center. AF Weather personnel provide weather ser-
& Show, a clothing event in which the vices for both Army and Air Force personnel worldwide and often deploy
participant acquires an outfit and ex- with Army and Air Force units in the field.
plains where tit is worn and how to McMillan is the past Commander of the General Curtis E. LeMay, Of-
care for it. Clothing judges asked futt Composite Squadron of Nebraska Wing and a former Earhart cadet.
questions and judged how well the He is currently inspector general for Nebraska Wing, U.S. Civil Air Pa-
outfit fit the 4-Her. trol.
Hetzel modeled her uniform in a Also attending from North Central Region were C/2Lt Greg Burnett,
dress review and explained to the son of Susan and George Burnett of Smithville, Missouri, a member of
crowd why she bought it and where Platt Valley Composite Squadron in Parkville, Missouri; and C/SMSgt
she would wear it. She won the Coun- Kathryn Blair, daughter of Beth and Steven Blair of Kansas City, Mis-
ty Buy & Show event and will com- souri and a member of the Northland Composite Squadron in Kansas
pete at the State level in late July. City and is considering a career in meteorology.
ELT Search Leads to Vintage Aircraft
Two South Dakota Wing ground teams discovered a vin-
tage military aircraft in North Sioux City, SD, when they set out
to find an emergency locator transmitter June 13.
The search led to a T-28 Trojan with U.S. Navy insignia that
had been on a cross-country when it developed engine prob-
lems, leading its new owner to land it at Graham Field Airport
in North Sioux City.
"We don't know why the ELT on the aircraft was activated
but it was picked up by satellites monitored by the USAF and
we were asked to find the signal," said Col. Mike Beason, inci-
dent commander for the mission and South Dakata Wing commander. "We especially appreciate the support
from the North Sioux City Police Department in locating the signal."
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 North Central Region News

Ebling Presented Mitchell Lucas Receives Mitchell

Cadet 2nd Lt. Josh Ebling (center) of the Missouri

Wing's Pony Express Composite Squadron received his
Gen. Billy Mitchell Award from Col. Wayne Echterling,
commander of the Medical Group for the Air National
Guard's139th Airlift Squadron.
Ebling, a U.S. Civil Air Patrol member for more than
two years and the son of Master Sgt. Karla Lewis
Parents, friends, family members, and fellow CAP
(right), plans to earn a degree in aviation at Kansas
members watched while Major Doug Killian, the Min-
State University and to fly for the Air National Guard or
nesota Wing director of cadet programs, presented
the Air Force.
the General Billy Mitchell Award to Cadet Chief Mas-
EICS Presents Colors at County Fair ter Sergeant Shashona Lucas.
Cadet Lucas has been a member of Red Wing
Composite Squadron for five years. She actually be-
came a cadet at eleven years of age, which is no
longer allowed in Civil Air Patrol.
Lucas attended Encampment as a Basic in 2003
in Nebraska and attended Minnesota Wing Encamp-
ment in 2005 as a member of the staff development
squadron.
She has been active in CAP throughout her five
years, attending EPS (as staff), NCOS, and BCOC.
She has earned her Ground Team 3 & 2 qualifica-
tions , has represented RWCS in Color Guard Com-
petition and has always been an active participant in
a variety of activities.
Through of her accomplishments, Cadet Lucas
has earned the title of officer and the rank of C/2d Lt.
Red Wing Composite Squadron congratulates Cadet
Lucas on this accomplishment.
Immediately following her promotion, Cadet Lucas
took on the challenge of becoming Red Wing Com-
Eastern Iowa Composite Squadron presented the posite Squadron's new Cadet Commander, taking
colors and lead a parade during the Linn County Iowa over for C/2d Lt Alex Walker, who has graduated
Fair. high school and is looking forward to attending col-
The event marked the first ever Linn County Fair, lege at UW Stout.
and fair officials asked CAP to return next year! Iowa
Congressman Dave Loebsack and his wife ap-
proached the color guard with thanks for their service. ncr.cap.gov
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NCR Encampment Photo Gallery

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MNWG CTG Encampment Photo Gallery

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