alabama wing - apr 2009

8/14/2019 Alabama Wing - Apr 2009

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April 2009 Citizen Serving Communities: Above and Beyond 1

ALABAMAWING

CIVILAIRPATROL

NEWSLETTER APRIL2009

Col.MikeOakman Lt.Col.DaveBoswell

Commander ViceCommander

Col. Bill Bass EarnsLevel V

Gill Robb Wilson Award

Col. Bill Bass has earned the highestaward for senior member professionaldevelopment. The Gill Robb Wilson Award

recognizes senior members who havededicated themselves to leadership andpersonal development in the CAP. Thisaward was first given in 1964 and honorsthe late Gill Robb Wilson. Wilson isregarded as the founder of Civil Air Patroland served as CAPs first executive officer.

Contents

Col Bass Earns Wilson Award

SARSAR Conference in Mobile 2Alaskan Adventure 2

Organizational Excellence Track 5

Gadsden Open House 6Pell City Accepts Aircraft 6

2009 Cadet Competition 7C/CMSgt Wolfe Earns License 7

Camp Curry at Springville 9

Memorandum for CAP 10Springville Cadets of the Year 11

SER Conference 11

Pictures from SER Conference 13

Team Guthrie at Redston 14Flying High--

Shurbutt earns Earhart 18IACE announcement 18FTX 2009 Pictures 19

Risk Assessment Course 20

Public Affairs 20


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As Col. Bass progressed through theprogram, he completed five increasinglycomplex training levels. Each level requiredhim to become more involved in CAPactivities, master skills in one of 23 technicalareas, and develop leadership ability.

Col. Bass joined CAP as a cadet in1949, completing the cadet program as itwas then designed, earning the CadetCertificate of Proficiency. He worked atCape Canaveral as a resource managerand a member of a launch command teamfor Gemini and Apollo programs.

His CAP career continued in 1960with the Cadet Program in Florida, as Group6 Director of Cadets, the Florida Wing DCSamong many other CAP assignments. Hewas commander of the Florida Wingbeginning in March 1968.

He is currently the Alabama WingCounterdrug Officer, working to coordinatethe efforts of those working in the programto provide this valuable service to the state.

Mobile Squadron AttendsSARSAR Conference

On the evening of January 26, 2009,eight members of the Mobile CompositeSquadron of the Civil Air Patrol attended the2009 Winter Conference of the SouthAlabama Rescue Search and Recovery(SARSAR) for search and rescue training.This regular event is sponsored by theMobile County Board of Health, lead by Dr.Bernard H. Eichold II, Health Officer. The

program consisted of the following speakersand accompanying training:

Communicating with the HarborMaster - Captain Terry Gilbreath InnerOperability Communications - Mobile CountSheriff's Flotilla Port Security/Mutual Aid -U. S. Coast Guard Swift Water Rescue -Mobile Fire Department Ropes & Rigging -

boat work - Daphne Search and RescueDiving in Currents - Daphne Search andRescue Traumatic Vascular Injuries - Dr.Ralph Pfeiffer, Jr2008 Lessons learned from Search &Rescue

This event was attended by manydifferent volunteer and professionalorganizations which have dealings withSearch and Rescue.

1Lt. Emmett FarnellPublic Affairs OfficerMobile Composite Squadron

The Great AlaskanAdventure-15 Today?Its Not ThatBad...

I brought in the best staff I could steal,-- Major Ed Bos, Commander, 2008Alaska Wing Winter Encampment.

While most encampments rely on

staff members from their home wings, thisencampments staff consisted of the self-proclaimed Expeditionary EncampmentStaff. Captain Frank deBros of MarylandWing, Captain Devin Boyle of Missouri (andsometimes California) Wing, Captain SamOgilvie and Cadet Colonel Morgan Bennettof Alabama Wing, and Cadet Lieutenant


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Colonel Corey Tuttle of Tennessee Wing allgave up a week of the holiday season tooffer their talents and experiences to thecadets of Alaska.

I never thought that after beingin Civil Air Patrol for ten years, that Iwould be traveling to the other side ofthe country to do basic encampments.Though every wing and unit is different,the leadership principles we try to teachare universal, and it was very easy totransition to encampment in Alaska,even with only five hours of daylight. The

cold and snow were the only realchallenges we facedthere hasnt beenreal snow in Alabama since 1993, andweve never seen any temperaturesbelow about 15 degrees...I had better nothear anyone complain about the coldback home ever again. Captain SamOgilvie, Alabama Wing

While it was a small encampmentwith only twenty-six basics, the elementalnature of it provided a variety of uniquechallenges to the staff and students. Themost obvious challenge would be the cold.The week of 28 December to 3 January sawnew record low maximum temperatures forthe Anchorage, AK area, as well as a five-day streak of sub-zero temperatures.Coming into the encampment it is reallyeasy to think, Theyre all from Alaska, theyknow what it means to pack for cold

weather... but when cadets started arrivingfor in-processing, it became obvious thatthis assumption was wrong. Luckily, sparecold-weather gear was on hand to be issuedto anyone who needed it.

The Alaskan winter provided forsome challenges other than just being cold.Not being able to secure facilities on base,the encampment was held at BirchwoodCamp, where there was no indoor drill pador open space to hold PT each morning.What open space was available wascovered in knee-deep snow. Plans initiallycalled for creating a drill pad on the frozenlake, and the first two PT sessions of theweek saw flights taking turns clearing aspace of eighteen inches of snow. Luckily,

National Guard facilities at Ft. Richardsonbecame available before the lake was put touse.

Even though the frozen drill padwasnt used by the cadets, it was put togood use later in the week. While the cadetswere busy with C-17 simulators atElmendorf AFB, some of the out-of-statestaff members took the opportunity to honetheir skills in building natural shelters in thesnow piles that ringed the drill pad, as well

as seeing the staff members from Alabamaengage in a rare snowball fight. Noopportunity to learn about operating in thetemperatures and weather conditions waspassed up by the staff.

The morning of 1 January saw thecoldest temperatures of the week, and thestaff was forced to change locations for


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most of the stations on the Project XLeadership Exercise. Luckily, the ease inwhich the staff worked together andaccepted such changes allowed for a verysmooth (and in some cases, eager) moveback indoors.

It was simply awesome. CadetLieutenant Colonel Corey Tuttle,Tennessee Wing

Despite the challenges, theencampment was a truly amazingexperience for all involved. It didnt take anyspecial effects to inspire awe in the cadetsand staff members during a three-hour C-17flight over Alaskas many mountain rangesand around Mt. Iliamna, an active volcano

on the Alaska Peninsulaand that was justTraining Day 1. Training Day 2 continuedthe trend, as the shadow of a Pavehawkhelicopter from 210 Rescue Squadron,Alaska Air National Guard, descendedthrough a thick fog into Birchwood Airport totalk to the cadets about pararescueoperations. Such sights may becommonplace for the Alaskan cadets, butfor the staff, it was like living in theDiscovery Channel for a week.

The only reason any of the top staff arehere is because of an NCSA, andcertainly that is a prime example of whyeveryone should go to nationalactivities. Captain Frank deBros,Maryland Wing

Sharing a common home in theNational Emergency Services AcademyGround Search and Rescue School, the five

officers and cadets who made up theencampment command staff all had aunique familiarity with and respect for eachothers talents and abilities. Though theytraditionally only get to see each other fortwo weeks each summer, their effectiveness

as a team revealed the underlying cause forbringing them all together again: at NESA,they had become family. They were shape-shifters; doing whatever task needed to bedone, making things happen, and neveronce crossing into one anothers constantlychanging roles and responsibilities.

It was this relationship among thestaff members that highlighted one conceptso many times during the weektheimportance of attending national activities.

While cadets in the lower forty-eight havelittle trouble attending national activities,cadets from Alaska are faced with the highcost of airfare if they want to attendanythingeven if it is only the wingencampment. National activities do morethan provide cadets with exceptionaltraining and opportunities not normallyafforded to them at the local level; they givecadets the chance to meet other cadets andofficers from across the nation. Some ofthese people become trusted friends and

mentors to cadets, offering advice onleadership, school, and life, and the supportof such a mentor is often what keeps acadet in CAP when they consider quittingand what propels them to achieve newheights in their careers. And every now andthen, these friends and mentors are able toget together and turn a standard annualevent into something awesome.

With each staff member who flew upfor the week came a unique set of

experiences, and those experiencesprovided for a national perspective onleadership and training. Combined, the fivestaff members brought with them roughly 30encampments and 40 national activities.This national perspective gave the staffmembers plenty of material from which toteach classes that the cadets probably wontsee again until either college or higher-level


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leadership development courses like CadetOfficer School. Cadet Tuttle, acommunications major at Middle TennesseeState University, provided collegiate-levelleadership and communications classes andengaged the cadets in a high-speed

learning environment where they practicedpublic speaking, critical thinking, leadershiprole identification, and learned aboutthemselves through the Myers-Briggs TypeIndicator. Cadet Bennett offered insight onemergency services as a leadershipdevelopment opportunity and on the collegescholarship process. And all staff membersoffered their experiences in round table-likediscussions on what CAP has become foreach of them and how to get the most out ofthe Cadet Program.

Each of the staff brought a variety ofexperiences to the tablefrom CadetAdvisory Council service to leading drillteams to going to flight academies andstaffing NESAthose experiences andthose national activities are what made thestaff so exceptional, and their ability toconnect those experiences to the leadershipprinciples they imparted to the cadets waswhat made the encampment so exceptional.

C/Col Morgan BennettPell City Squadron

OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL COMMANDERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS

CIVIL AIR PATROLUNITED STATES AIR FORCE AUXILIARY

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, ALABAMA 36112-6332

1. I am very pleased to announce the

publication of CAP Pamphlet 229, theOrganizational Excellence Specialty Track

which implements the new Organizational

Excellence (OE) Program for CAP. It isposted on CAPs website under

Publications. This new initiative to

promote organizational excellence is thefirst of its kind in the history of our great

organization. The program content providesa structured, comprehensive approach to the

professional development of our senior

members. Its purpose is to facilitate thedevelopment of the finest corps of

commanders, staff officers, and executive-level leaders for service to CAP and thenation.

2. Some unique professional development

features built into the new OE Trackinclude: (1) expansion of the standard

training track ratings from Technician,

Senior, and Master to include a follow-onExecutive Level; (2) the incorporation of

all five levels of our basic Professional

Development Program outlined in CAPR50-17; (3) accommodation of duty

performance promotions per CAPR 35-5;

(4) incorporation of wing commander

qualifications contained in CAPR 35-9,Section B; (5) provisions for a performance

feedback process for trainees; (6)

establishment of an awards program torecognize senior member progress; (7)

development of a supplemental Mentoringprogram to assist participants; and, (8)

development of associated educational

products to guide Mentors.

3. Although the OE Program is published,

applicants should not apply until after April1, 2009. The purpose of the delay is to

allow time for wing and region commanders

to structure their organizations to

accommodate the new program.Application procedures are explained in

CAPP 229. I hope you will take advantage

of this great new opportunity to enhanceyour personal and professional development

and, in turn, your service to CAP and the

nation.


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AMY S. COURTERMajor General, CAP

National Commander

ATTACHMENTS:

CAP Pamphlet 229, OrganizationalExcellence Study GuideCAP Pamphlet 50-8, Organizational

Excellence Mentors Guide

Gadsden holds Open House Feb 9,2009

Lt. Col. Talmadge Butler, SquadronCommander, and other members welcomedthe community to an Open House for CivilAir Patrol on February 9, 2009.

Potential cadet and senior memberswere given information concerning CAPprograms and benefits.

Pell City Accepts

Glass Cockpit Aircraft

The Alabama Wing took possession of itssecond C-182 G1000 aircraft. The new aircraftwill be based at the Pell City Airport (PLR) andwill be assigned to the Pell City CompositeSquadron (AL-118).

The other G1000 aircraft will be moved to theBirmingham International Airport (BHM) and willbe assigned to the 117 ANG CompositeSquadron (AL-090).

The aircraft was flown from Independence,Kansas to Birmingham, Alabama by Major RickPhillips and Capt Bo Andrews. Both pilotsattended the required week long FITS trainingcourse at Cessna.

The Alabama Wing recently completed themandatory ground training program from theG1000 NAV III system. In all over 45 members,both pilots and mission aircrews attended thetraining. The Alabama Wing is excited aboutreceiving the new aircraft and already has

several missions and takings scheduled for bothof the G1000 aircraft.

The two G1000 aircraft will be part of a "HALO"Search pattern when an airborne report of anELT is received from the AFRCC. Four aircraftequipped with Becker DF units will fly apredetermined flight path at 10,000 feet tosearch for a 121.5 Mhz ELT signal. The aircraftwill also be used for low level route surveys forthe Air National Guard units and Counter Drugmissions for the DEA.

The new C-182 joins the Alabama Wings 13other aircraft located through the state.


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The 2009 Alabama WingCadet Competition

The 2009 Alabama Wing Cadet Competition(Color guard portion) was conducted on 07 Feb2009 at Auburn University. Each team put in alot of effort and performed well. When all eventswere completed, the overall results were asfollows:

1st - Bessemer2nd - Auburn

3rd - Maxwell

Please congratulate each team on theirperformance. The Bessemer Squadron will berepresenting the Alabama Wing at the SERCadet Competition at Maxwell AFB 17-19 April2009. Wish them luck!

C/CMSgt Logan Wolf EarnsPilot's License

Maj. Gen. Courter, 1st Lt. Selena Vaught,

C/CMSgt Logan Wolf, Col. James Rushingat SER Conference in Birmingham, AL.

It is a strange phenomenon thatsome people seem to be geneticallypredisposed to excel in a particular area of

interest, but it seems that this is the case forme in the field of aviation. My grandfatherwas a military pilot who became a chiefcorporate pilot after his service. Though heunfortunately died behind the controls of adefective airplane, his aviation legacy haslived on through the life of my father, whowas a private pilot, and through me. I havebeen interested in the subject since a veryearly age, and instead of growing out of it, Ihave grown significantly more into it.

My most serious affair with flying allstarted the day I received Microsoft FlightSimulator. It was as if a spark that had beenlaying wait for many years had suddenlybeen ignited. An entire new world wasopened up to me and it was one that I knewI had to be a part of. From this revelationforward I made a point to intellectually


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consume every piece of aviation literature Icould get my hands on. I tore througheverything from the newest aeronauticalcharts to issues of Flying Magazine from the1970s. If it had anything to do with aviation,I could not pass it up. I gleaned more

knowledge during this time than I ever hadin all my years before and enjoyed everysecond of it because it was what I wanted todo. This initial phase of learning wasinvaluable as it gave me a foundation onwhich to begin construction of the endlessskyscraper that is a career in aviation. Iwould need all the reinforcement I could getas I began one of the biggest challenges Ihave ever faced, that of obtaining myprivate pilot license.

I was raised in a single parenthousehold in the caretakers residence on aUniversity of Alabama wildlife refuge in ruralAlabama. Though recipient of manyblessings, abundant finances are not on thelist. Therefore I was, and still am, up againstthe challenge of paying for my own flyingcareer. I was not sure how it could be done,with the expenses for a private pilot licenseusually running from six to eight thousanddollars, but I was not going to give up. Iheard about an organization that might offer

me hope known as the Civil Air Patrol. Theclosest cadet squadron I could find was theBessemer Composite Squadron, which wasalmost two hours drive from my house. Isoon learned that the organization wasmore than I had bargained for.

The CAP cadet program is in manyways similar to being in the military. Amongother things it emphasizes drill, chain ofcommand, discipline, leadership, andteamwork. At first, I honestly wasnt sure

CAP was right for me. Being sixteen yearsold and highly involved with school andsports, it presented many conflicts to theCAP commitment, not to mention the longcommute each meeting would require. I waseven doubtful that it would offer me much inthe way of flying. Despite my apprehension,I knew that it still presented me with achance and I was well aware that I would

have to be highly disciplined in order toreach my goals. So I stuck with it, findingtime around school and sports to make thelong drive to attend meetings and forfeitingmy Christmas break to go to encampment.

In the spring of 2008, I was able tobegin flight training using money I had beensaving for the past four years. My flightinstructor, a volunteer, was extremelyhelpful and resourceful. I worked everychance I got that summer and though mostof the jobs were of the dirty and difficultdescription, I was happy to do thembecause they allowed me to independentlyfinance my flying. My flight training went

extremely well, mostly due to my priorknowledge about aviation and mywillingness to continue learning.

In the fall of 2008, my training for aprivate pilots license had its end in sight.Having passed my written knowledge testand gained sufficient hours, my check ridewith an examiner had been scheduled. Inpreparing for my check ride, I studied moreintensely than I ever had before. I preparedthoroughly for every detail, and when the

day came for my practical test, I preformedas well as I ever had. I wasnt going to stopthere however, as I immediately began worktoward the next pilot rating. As of this time Iam training to receive my instrument rating,an essential step for any career pilot.

This rating allows flight in poorweather, clouds, and low visibility. My flight


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instructor has helped me greatly byvolunteering his time, and I have learnedvolumes from his experience. He hasbecome a great mentor and friend, and I amforever indebted to him. In addition toallowing me to fly, the Civil Air Patrol has

given me priceless leadership experienceby putting me in charge of a group andteaching me how to lead them effectively.As the Aerospace NCO, Ive gainedexperience by teaching classes on aviationto members of my squadron. Thisexperience will have a direct relation to mycareer because I plan to be a flightinstructor on my way to a profession inaviation.

Outside of CAP, I am active in

athletics, the arts, and my community. Ihave learned many important realities aboutteamwork, leadership, and the value offitness by playing soccer and acting as theteam captain of my high school cross-country team. I have run many races, from5Ks to half marathons and plan on addingtriathlons and marathons to my resume inthe future. During the summer I volunteer atseveral locations, most notably the localcancer treatment center, where I haveaccumulated over three hundred hours of

time.I have been accepted to the

University of Alabama where I will beginattendance in the fall of 2009. Although noaviation courses are available at thisUniversity, I am enrolling in a program thatwill allow me create my own degree inaeronautics. With this freedom I will be ableto take advantage of all the educationalopportunities offered by the University whileat the same time receiving college credit bylearning independently and continuing to

train with the Civil Air Patrol.

CAP has given me the resources Ihave needed to succeed, made me what Iam today, and prepared me for the future.The organization has always given backmuch more than it has taken and I plan tocontinue my commitment to it for manyyears to come. Being a part of CAP has

taught me volumes about not only myselfand what it takes to succeed, but aboutthings greater than myself such asteamwork, leadership, and achieving acommon goal. In order to make success areality, you have to constantly work for it

and create your own opportunities. I havenever been part of any organization that hasprovided me the means to create my ownopportunities in the way Civil Air Patrol has.No matter how difficult and daunting theroad to fulfillment may seem, anything ispossible when you have support from thosearound you.

I would like to express greatgratitude to all the individuals who haveassisted me in the completion of my goals. I

would not be anywhere near the level ofachievement I am now if not for the actionsof the former Bessemer SquadronCommander, Captain Glenn Wilson; thecareful mentoring of the DeputyCommander for Cadets, 2nd LieutenantSelene Vaught, and the time and resourcesdonated by my flight instructor, Captain BoAndrews. I will never forget their selflesssuccess and hope that through CAP I canmake such a positive impression insomeones life the way they have in mine.

efforts to help me achieve my goals. I canonly aspire to emulate the people who have

been so influential in bringing about my

C/CMSgt Logan WolfBessemer Composite Squadron AL-087

Camp Curry Held at SpringvilleSquadron

Cadets from both Blount and St. Claircounties worked hard at Camp Curry. Thistraining is required for basic cadets whohave recently joined the Civil Air Patrol.Maneuvers took place at the StraightMountain Fire Department 6-7 February2009.


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During Camp Curry, higher ranking cadetsteach recruits. Cadets were shown how toproperly wear their BDUs and dressuniforms. Intense training of properetiquette and drills were taught.

Lt. Col. Frank W. Waid, SquadronCommander, stated, "I commend thevolunteerism and leadership seen in theyoung people of Civil Air Patrol. Thistraining will help them the rest of their lives."

Virginia Davis1 LT, Public AffairsSpringville Squadron

15 February 2009MEMORANDUM FOR ALL CAPMEMBERSFROM: CAP/CC

SUBJECT: Nondiscrimination1. To maintain the ethical standards onwhich CAP core values are based, Civil AirPatrol must reaffirm its commitment to doingthings right. This is particularly true when itcomes to ensuring that all of our members,and potential members, have an equal

opportunity to participate and progresswithin CAP.

2. We started this reaffirmation when the 36series of CAP regulations were rewrittenthis past August. These updated regulationsnot only prohibit discrimination, but also taskus to, make every effort to ensure diversityin recruiting new members into CAP.Additionally, they task CAPsleadership to, encourage equal opportunityin recruiting, execution of CAPs missionsand programs, promotions, awards, andeducational opportunities. These are tenetsfor treating our members in the way that wewould all like to be treated. Unfair treatmentdue to an individuals race, sex, age, color,religion, national origin, or disability isdiscrimination and will not be tolerated.

3. Commanders at all levels are responsiblefor ensuring that members under theircommand are aware of and adhere toCAPs nondiscrimination policy.

4. Allegations of violations of the CAP

Nondiscrimination Policy will be sent to theEqual Opportunity Officer (EOO), ColTheodore Chavez, or the NationalHeadquarters Equal OpportunityAdministrator (EOA), Mr. GerryRosenzweig. Submission of allegationsand/or complaints directly to the CAP/EOOwill not be considered a violation of thechain of command.a. Complaints of harassment and/or hazingare to be handled under the CAP InspectorGeneral Complaints program and not under

the Nondiscrimination Policy.b. Those wishing to submit a discriminationcomplaint should review CAPR 36-2 forprocedures and guidance. Additionalguidance may also be obtained bycontacting the EOO.c. The CAP/EOO, Col Ted Chavez can becontacted [email protected],(408) 993-1679, or postal at 1501 TheAlameda; San Jose, CA 95126.d. The CAP/EOA can be contacted at

[email protected], (877) 227-9142ext. 228, or by writing to CAP/EXS; 105South Hansell Street; Maxwell AFB, AL36111.

5. A copy of this letter should be posted atevery unit location or made available to allmembers in the unit. Additionally,commanders at every level will ensure thatthe CAP Nondiscrimination Policy is briefedto all members within their respectivecommands by 31 May 2009.

6. Any questions concerning this policyshould be directed to the CAP/EOO.

AMY S. COURTERMaj. General, CAPNational Commander


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Springville Squadron announcesCadet of the Year for 2008 and 2009.

In December of 2008 Cadet of the Yearfor 2008 and 2009 were recognized.C/SMSgt Joshua Wentworth was honoredas Cadet of the Year for 2008. CadetWentworth is a model cadet for hisfaithfulness and dependably in CadetPrograms. His duties have includedLogistics and Flight Sergeant. He is trainedas a Ground Team member.

C/TSgt Mark McCay is an exemplary modelfor his fellow cadets. He is focused on Drills.He currently holds the highest academicaverage in the squadron. Both cadets areprudent in their studies of Aviation and

strive to excel in their journey in Civil AirPatrol.

Ltc. Frank W. Waid of the SpringvilleComposite Squadron said, These are twocadets that deserve recognition. Any tasksthat ask of them, I can depend on it beingcomplete and accurate.

Vanessa Davis1 Lt, PAO

Springville Squadron

Southeast Region ConferenceBirmingham, Alabama

About 150 members of the Civil Air Patrol(CAP) attended the Southeast Region(SER) 2009 conference and banquet heldFeb. 14-15 at the Bradley Center inBirmingham, Ala.

We are strong not only because ofour volunteers or our numbers, but becauseof our quality, said Maj. Gen. Amy Courter,CAPs national commander, who co-presented a briefing on the state of CAPsnational resources, public awareness andbranding, safety culture, missions andequipment with Don R. Rowland, CAPsexecutive director.

Among the highlights they noted for2008 were 91 lives saved, 7,000 orientationflights flown, a new CAP Web site waslaunched, and a complete renovation ofnational headquarters at Maxwell Air ForceBase was started.

Were all in this together, asvolunteers, Courter added, pointing out thather long-term objective is for CAP tobecome the nations resource of choice.

CAP, the official auxiliary of the U.S.Air Force, is a nonprofit organization withmore than 55,000 adult and teen-agedmembers in 52 wings divided into 8 regions.The Southeast Region, which

includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia,Mississippi, Tennessee and PuertoRico, has more members than any otherregion in CAP.

This conference has exceeded mywildest expectations, said Col. JamesRushing, SER commander, who stated thatthere are 5,015 officers and 3,622 cadets inthe region, for a total membership of 8,637.

He also called attention to the valueof the regions members:

total number of hours contributed

annually 1,032,360 dollar value of CAP volunteers

annually - $15,792,375 average number of hours flown

annually 16,440Guest speaker at the banquet was Brig.Gen. Teresa A.H. Djuric, commander of theJeanne M. Holm Center for Officer


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Accessions and Citizen Development atMaxwell Air Force Base. Noting that sheand her husband are parents of a CAPcadet, Djuric spoke about continuedprofessional development, being a changeagent, and value of service to the nation.

Awards presented during theconference:Exceptional Service Awards Col. AlBedgood, Lt. Col. Wes Hannah, Lt. Col.Marge Hannah, Lt. Col. Jean duBois, andLt. Col. Virginia CullityMeritorious Service Awards Col. JamesRushing, Col. Barry Melton, Lt. Col. JoeBrown, Lt. Col. Cullity, Lt. Col. duBois, Lt.Col. Tracy Scantland, Lt. Col. Judy Steeleand Lt. Col. James Lawson

Benjamin O. David Award Maj. TedLybrandCertificates of Appreciation Lt. Col. HaroldCoghain, Lt. Col. Bart Nelson, Maj. Jon Neil,Maj. Lisa Robinson, 2nd Lt. Dawson Moore,Cadet Col. Morgan Bennett, and Cadet Lt.Col. Stephanie Petelos

Special guests included Brig. Gen.Reggie Chitwood, CAPs national vicecommander; Col. John Tilton, vice chairmanelect of CAPs Board of Governors; Col.

Robert Didich, CAPs Northeast Regioncommander; and Col. Austyn Granville,Northeast Region vice commander.

Wing commanders present wereMississippi Wings Col. Tillman Carroll,Georgia Wings Col. Jim Hughes,Tennessee Wings Col. Barry Melton andAlabama Wings Col. Mike Oakman.

Col. Donald Angel, former nationalfinance officer and former Mississippi Wingcommander, was master of ceremonies at

the conference. Lt. Col. Oscar Cope, regioncommand chaplain, gave the invocationsand benedictions as well as a memorialpresentation dedicated to region memberswho died in the line of duty. Col. BeckyTilton, former Mississippi Wing commander,was chair of the conference committee.

Alabama Wings Bessemer

Composite Squadron Color Guardpresented and retired the colors. Severaltables of historical CAP insignia were ondisplay courtesy of Lt. Col. StephenHoward, the Alabama Wing historian.

Awards presented during theconference:Safety Officer of the Year MississippiWings Capt. Mallory WoodcockCommunicator of the Year Florida WingsLt. Col. Thomas RubinoFrank Brewer Aerospace Award (Individual)

Patrick Epps of Aviation GAPaul W. Turner Safety Award MississippiWingOutstanding Counter Drug Wing GeorgiaWing

Financial Officer of the Year FloridaWings Lt. Col. William FergusonLogistician of the Year Florida Wings Maj.Robert WoodHistorian of the Year Georgia Wings Lt.Col. Todd EnglemanNorm Edwards Counter Drug Officer Georgia Wings Maj. William KeysSquadron Chaplain of the Year GeorgiaWings Capt. Harvey GainerSenior Chaplain of the Year SER HQs Lt.Col. Richard Stiliha

Public Affairs Officer of the Year SERHQs Capt. Steven SolomonCadet Program Officer of the Year FloridaWings Capt. Kevin McSparronCadet of the Year Tennessee WingsCadet Col. Antonio MareSenior Member of the Year Puerto RicoWings Lt. Col. Rafael Garcia

Capt. Steven SolomonSER Director of Public Affairs

Pictures from SER Conference


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Team Guthrie The ThreeGenerations of a CAP Family

The Redstone Composite Squadron inHuntsville, Al has Team Guthrie, at least mostof it. Team Guthrie is a CAP family that spansthree generations over 67 years. Locally TeamGuthrie is composed of Mike J. (dad), Dorothy(mom), Michael, Catherine and Holly Guthrie.What is unique about the team is that itrepresents 2 of the three generations of service

to CAP. However, it all started with the firstmember of the team which Samuel J. Guthrieaka Grandpop, who was there from thebeginning.


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Samuel Guthrie (Grandpop) GenerationOne

Grandpop an only child and was bornAugust 19, 1927 in Wilmington, Delaware toparents Rowland J. Guthrie and CatherineT.(Rowe) Guthrie. As Grandpop was a child,history was in the making. WWII was in progressin Europe and Asia; however the United Stateswas sitting on the sidelines. Although the U.S.wasnt involved in the conflict young men werestill being drafted for one year of military service.Consequently, CAP had just been formed aspart of the civilian defense program (hence theCAP logo with the triangle and the three bladedprop).

During this time Grandpop was in the9th grade and working at the Wilmington Ball

Park whether is was before, during or after agame. If other activities were happening at theball park Grandpop was there for those also. Onone day in particular, December 7th, 1941, therewas a professional football team playing at theball park while Grandpop was working. He wasgoing back and forth between the refreshmentstands and the kitchen when he heard a radionews flash that Pearl Harbor had been attacked.Grandpop said that at that time theyd neverheard of Pearl Harbor. Attending the game thatday there were a lot of GIs that were attendingthe game; however, due to the breaking news

they were told to return to base immediately.With WWII in progress, Grandpop aged 15wanted to do his part. With a passion for buildingmodel airplanes, gliders and the desire to fly, he

joined CAP. CAP at this time didnt own aircraft,so they were supplied by the all volunteer pilots.

The Cadets primarily trained to becomeArmy Air Force aviation cadetsand studied allaspects of aviation from ground school,navigation, aircraft engines, link trainers, andfirst aid. While Grandpop served as a Cadetmember he achieved the rank of 1st sergeant

which at that time was the highest rank a cadetcould attain. Initially Cadet Ranks had officerranks, but they were eliminated early on.Grandpop was eventually promoted to theposition of Cadet Squadron Commander of theWilmington Squadron of the Delaware Wing. Inaddition to the normal CAP duties of search andrescue, the Delaware Wing was involvedanother vital mission for the country. Thatmission was to perform coastal patrols in search

of German submarines, downed airmen, andsailor survivors from sunken ships in the AtlanticOcean.

Even the High Schools were gettinginvolved in the war effort. They formed radiogroups known as the Victory Corps. Grandpopalong with many other students got involved andhe actually became the team captain. Anotherorganization Grandpop joined was the Air CorpsAir Combat Crew Reserve (ACACCR) and wasa member for a year while patiently waiting foractive duty orders. In 1945, while waiting onthose orders, Grandpop left to do his annualCAP training, known as Encampment, whichwas taking place at the P-47 Advanced FighterBase in Dover, Delaware. It was during thistraining that the A-Bomb was dropped in orderto convince the Japanese to Surrender! It wasalso while he was attending the training at theAir Base; that he received his orders to deploy

with the ACACCR. Sadly the "bad" news wasthat the Air Corps Cadet program was closedand all but basic training had been stopped. 18year old Private Guthrie deployed and wentthrough basic like greased lightning.

After graduating from Basic, Grandpopwas sent to Europe to replace a veteran Bombergunner Sergeant named George Knowles. Afterthe war was over, Grandpop remained inGermany and received orders to act as anescort at the Nurnberg trials. Later Grandpopmarried his sweetheart Elizabeth M. Loughery,

whom he met when she was 17 and he was 19;however, they married when she was 22 and hewas a month short of 25. They raised 3 sonsand a daughter who in turn gave them 6granddaughters and 6 grandsons. Two of theirsons became CAP cadets, who were interestedin flying and joined on their own. One of thosesons is Michael Guthrie.


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Mike Guthrie (Dad) Generation TwoLTC Mike Guthrie, like his father, was

born in Wilmington, Delaware on November 2nd,1955. As Michael grew up he attendedSalesianum School where he enjoyed runningtrack and playing football. Mike was aware thathis dad been a CAP Cadet during World War IIand was aware that his dad wanted him to servein the military. Mike always wanted to fly anddreamt of joining the Air Force, but being

colorblind would keep that dream away fromhim.

At the age of 13 Mike and his olderbrother Sam joined the CAP. As Mike and Samprogressed through CAP they were trained inground search and rescue but, it was all localunit training. Training concentrated more onactual firefighting, advanced rescue, andemergency medical care. Emergency MedicalTechnician (EMT) training was part of the coursewhen Mike was a Cadet. The founder of thatprogram, Harvey Grant, led the instruction.Because of Harveys leadership, the squadron

that Michael belonged to was part of the firstgroup of young people to be trained andqualified as EMTs in the United States.

As a Cadet Mike served from 1968 till1973 and achieved the rank of Cadet Captain inthe Wilmington Squadron. He never wore theCadet Captain rank due to being enlisted in theArmy at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI).While enlisted in the Army at VMI, Mike

continued to progress in CAP and eventuallyreceived the Earheart Award. During Mikes firstfive years in CAP, the nation was busy also.America was deeply involved in the VietnamWar, the Apollo Space program, and landing onthe Moon! Mikes love of aviation and his fathersservice with the 9th AAF during WWII, gave himthe desire to join the military, and CAP hadproved be the natural place to start.

Mike served his country for more than32 years in the Tennessee Army National Guardand US Army Reserve, and retired as a fullColonel. While in the Guard, having experiencewith both rocket and cannon artillery units Mikeserved in both the Field Artillery and Corps ofEngineers. He held command at the battery,battalion, and brigade levels while serving withthe 196th Field Artillery Brigade. His lastassignment was Deputy Commander of the194th Engineer Brigade. His military decorations

include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious ServiceMedal, and the Army Commendation Medal. Hetransferred to the U.S. Army Retired Reserve on31 May 2007. In the middle of Mikes militaryservice he married Dorothy Ann Brown ofHuntsville, Alabama and had three children.

Today Mike is a Senior Scientist workingin support of the Missile Defense Agency andthe U.S. Army Space and Missile DefenseCommand. In addition to his career during theday, LTC Mike Guthrie serves as the assistantDeputy Commander of Cadets at the Redstone

Composite Squadron where he teaches 43Cadets aerospace engineering classes. LTCGuthrie is excited about serving in the CAP andstates that, serving is a way to give back to thecommunity and share the lessons I learned frommy military service. LTC Guthries wife, 2Lt.Dorothy Guthrie and children have caught thefever and also serve in the CAP. 2Lt. Guthriegrew up in a military family and was alwayssupportive of her husbands career andcontinues to be to this day. 2Lt. Guthrie faithfullyparticipates in the meetings and is a hugesource of help in the Cadet program.

Guthrie Cadets Generation ThreeThere are three Guthrie Cadets

currently serving on this team and they areMichael, Holly and Catherine. Each was born inHuntsville, Alabama and attends Asbury School,which is an umbrella organization for homeschoolers. Michael is 17, and in the 11th Grade,


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Holly is 15, and is in the 9th Grade andCatherine is 13 and in the 7th Grade.

They joined CAP because they wantedto be able to serve the United States through anorganization that would at the same time provideexcellent training for their lives; and realizingthat they would be third generation cadetssparked much interest. Cadet Chief MasterSergeants Michael and Holly have been in CAPfor almost 2 years. Cadet Staff SergeantCatherine has been in CAP for almost 1 1/2years. Each Cadet is ground team memberqualified and has performed Color Guard dutiesat homecoming games, participated at local airshows as crowd control and various other tasksas needed. They enjoy interacting with thepublic as much as possible and see it as a wayto educate them about CAP. Currently Michaelserves as the Cadet First Sergeant, Holly as the

Supply Sergeant and Catherine as a FlightSergeant.

Each Cadet has aspects of the CAP thatthey enjoy the most. For Michael, he enjoysserving the community through the Air ForceAuxiliary and learning military drill andknowledge with his friends. Holly enjoysemergency services and the knowledge that sheis active in an organization that serves thecommunity which gives her a feeling of

responsibility and dedication to her country.Catherine enjoys the emergency servicesmission of CAP and learning to work as a teamin drill.

The Guthrie Cadets believe that the CivilAir Patrol is preparing young people to serve theUnited States of America, whether it is throughthe Armed Forces or some other area of life.Each of the Cadets has a vision of where theirlife will end up. Michael is working on becominga Cadet Officer in the Civil Air Patrol and plansto join the Air National Guard. Michael believesthat CAP has prepared him in military drill,ceremonies, and above all, self-discipline andteamwork in a military organization. Besidesbeing in the Air Guard, Michael plans onpossibly becoming an engineer or a pilot. Hollyhas no desire to go into the military, but believesthat military skills are good to know because

they teach precision, discipline, and teamworkwhich are valuable in all areas of life. When shegraduates, she plans to become a nurse or aveterinarians assistant. One of Catherinesgoals in CAP is to at least become a cadetcaptain. Once she graduates, she would alsolike to either be a veterinarian or nurse. Inaddition to all the Guthrie Cadets are involved in,each is also an accomplished pianist.

Each of the Guthrie generations hasseen huge changes in the world. Grandpop sawthe A-Bomb in the news. LTC Guthrie watched

men go to the moon and today, the GuthrieCadets have witnessed the first AfricanAmerican elected as President of the UnitedStates. When asked if they ever think that it isspecial to be a third generation CAP cadet, theirresponse was,Definitely, it broadens yourknowledge about the history of CAP and is a keyto the past.

From 1942 to 2008 not only has theUnited States of America witnessed historicachievements, the CAP has witnessed a lot ofchange as well. When asking Grandpop what he

thinks about his sons and grandchildrenfollowing in his CAP footsteps, he replied, thegenerations of CAP cadets make me very proudand happy. The Redstone CompositeSquadron Commander Capt Mark Adamsstated, The participation of the Guthrie family inCivil Air Patrol is a fascinating story that beginsalmost at the inception of CAP itself. Themembers of the Redstone Composite Squadronand I are delighted the Guthries chose Redstone


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to continue their familys tradition of service toAmerica.

The Civil Air Patrol was founded inDecember 1941, one week before the Japaneseattack on Pearl Harbor, by more than 150,000citizens who were concerned about the defenseof Americas coastline. Under the jurisdiction ofthe Army Air Forces, CAP pilots flew more thanone-half million hours, were credited with sinkingtwo enemy submarines, rescued hundreds ofcrash survivors during World War II andGrandpop Guthrie was there from at thebeginning and his family continues to this day.

1 LT. Kim MillerRedstone Squadron, PAO

Pictures provided by Lt. Col.

Guthrie

FLYING HIGH

Anna Shurbutt, daughter of Eddie andBeth Shurbutt, was recently awarded theAmelia Earhart Award by the Civil Air Patrol(CAP). The award was presented by retiredMaj. Gen. Robin Scott at a squadronmeeting on March 26, 2009, at the Pell City

Civic Center. The award is presented tocadets who have completed the course ofstudy and testing requirements foradvancement to Cadet Captain.

Anna has been active in CAP for over 5years and has held many positions withinthe squadron. During her previous

assignment as Cadet Commander of thePell City Composite Squadron, SER-AL-118, the number of cadets doubled.Presently Anna serves as the Wing CadetAdvisoryCommittee chairperson, as well asassisting in squadron activities.

One of Annas passions is Ground TeamSearch and Rescue. She is presently nearthe completion of the Team Leader Course,which will qualify her to lead a groundsearch for missing aircraft and lostindividuals. This is a sequence of severalweekends of Field Training aid. This is alsoa family passion. Eddie Shurbutt (dad) is inthe Basic Course and Rachel Shurbutt(sister) is in the Advanced Course. All willaid. This is also a family passion. Eddie

Shurbutt (dad) is in the Basic Course andRachel Shurbutt (sister) is in the AdvancedCourse. All will graduate during the AprilFTX cycle. Younger sister Rachel has donevery well also. She has completed allrequirements to be promoted to Cadet ChiefMaster Sergeant in April.

Anna is homeschooled and will graduatethis year. She will be attending AuburnUniversity in the fall and will major innursing. She has applied to enter the

ROTC program and wishes to be a flightnurse in the Air Force. She eventuallywould like to be a clinical psychologist.Congratulations Anna. Wishing you ClearSkies and Safe Flight.

Eddie Shurbutt2 LT, CAPSER-AL-118

International Air CadetExchange 2009

Congratulations are due to four of the

Alabama Wing's very own that were

selected to attend the 2009 International Air

Cadet Exchange. IACE represents one of theparamount activities of the CAP cadet


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program and is a highly competitiveselection process. To have 4 members from

a wing the size of ours attend is a credit to

the product everyone is putting out at thelocal level.

This year's attendees will be:

C/Col. Morgan Bennett (AL 118) - Australia

C/LtCol. Stephanie Petelos (AL 087) - Japan

C/LtCol. Aaron Hanes (AL 112) - CanadaLtCol. Brad Lynn (AL 001) - Turkey (As an

escort)

2009FTX

Pictures


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A il 2009 Ci i S i C i i Ab d B d 20

Pictures provided by FTX Staff Members

Enhanced Threat and RiskAssessment Course

Preventing, reducing and mitigatingvulnerabilities in a man-made, natural, orterrorist event was the subject matter of atwo day course taught in Huntsville,Alabama by instructors from the TexasEngineering Extension Service, a division of

Texas A&M University. The course,"Enhanced Threat and Risk Assessment,"sponsored by the Huntsville - MadisonCounty Emergency Management Agencywas held at the Huntsville Police Academy.Members of the Civil Air Patrol joinedHuntsville City and County Fire personnel,University of Alabama Huntsville personnel,members of Huntsville's HazMat team, EMApersonnel, and representatives from othergovernment and private companies toenhance their ability to conduct

comprehensive assessments of criticalinfrastructure in their respectivejurisdictions.

Lt. Col. David Boswell, Maj. PatriciaMitcham, Maj. Anthony Beresford, Capt

Ernie Blair attended for CAP.After classroom lecture, team writtenexercises, and team planning, participantsapplied the systematic method of riskassessment in a field exercise. Teamsvisited selected sites in the community toanalyze possible threats. After the riskanalysis was complete, presentationsincluded photographic evidence as well asmitigation options for each of the sitesvisited.

From Public Affairs

Because I was "under the weather," thisnewsletter is late and there are articleswhich must be postponed to the next one. Ihope that Alabama CAP members willcontinue to support the newsletter witharticles and pictures. I have been unable touse pictures that show CAP memberswearing unauthorized head gear or no headgear when it is should be worn. Follow therules on uniforms and I will use as manypictures as I can.Next deadline is May 25, 2009.

Patricia MitchamMaj, DPAAlabama Wing

alabama wing - apr 2009

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