Shortly after his 16^th birthday, Cadet Second Lieutenant Mitchell Lichtenwald of Fox Cities Composite Squadron came one step closer to realizing his dream of becoming a pilot. On Thursday, August 18, Lichtenwald soloed in a Cessna 172 aircraft under the direction of Matt Kurtz, instructor at Fond du Lac Skyport in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

He was able to reach this achievement through dedication, hard work and perseverance. This same attitude will help him reach the next milestone of becoming a pilot when he reaches the age of 17 in May of 2011.  He will be a junior this fall at Kiel High School and plans to join the Air Force ROTC program upon graduation.

Cadet Lichtenwald received much of his inspiration from his father, Captain Kurt Lichtenwald, also of Fox Cities Composite Squadron who received his private pilot's license when his son was only two. 

Several Civil Air Patrol pilots have also been instrumental in Cadet Lichtenwald's training. Major Jeffery Thompson from 248^th TAC Air Senior Squadron, Major Pete Kanikula and Captain Dennis Klister, both of Brown Country Senior Squadron, and Captain Robert Day, Fox Cities Composite Squadron, have all encouraged Lichtenwald to obtain his dream. 

Other mentors offering encouragement were Colonel Tom Ham, Retired, 115^th FW Wisconsin Air National Guard; Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Rogers, Army retired, 832^nd Medical Company Wisconsin Army National Guard; and Colonel Ron Wilson, 110^th A. W. Vice-Commander, Michigan Air National Guard.

Stevens Point, Wis.  Just ahead of an impending summer rain shower, Cadet First Lieutenant Mark Flage made his last landing as a student pilot, Saturday, August 7.

As the plane came to a stop on the ramp, FAA examiner Lieutenant Colonel Sherwood “Woody” Williams gave the thumbs up to signal that Flage has passed his private pilot check ride.

Cadet 2nd Lt. Flage, a member of the Stevens Point Composite Squadron, started flight training with Captain John Thompson in January, and had his first solo flight February 3. 

Flage had more than his share of obstacles and delays to get to this day—a 100 hour inspection of the aircraft, its use at National Flight Academy in June, and elevator repair, as well as the Flage family moving.

Like most pilots, Flage was excited and relieved to pass.  “I’m just glad it’s over,” he said.

His instructor, Capt. Thompson, was confident in Cadet 2^nd Lt. Flage’s flying skills. 

“He really flies the aircraft well,” Thompson said. “I was really impressed with his crosswind landings yesterday. We were up against the CAP limits on the crosswind, and he was nailing them, centerline.  Maneuvers were right on and they’d been that way for quite a while.”

Flage is the son of Steve and JerriDee Flage of Wausau.  Flage is the second member of his family to get his pilot certificate.  His father also is a pilot.

Flage will soon be heading off to the University of Minnesota, where he will pursue studies to prepare him for a career in medicine.  He plans to become a physician. 

Since 2004, Flage has been a leader in the cadet program of the squadron.  He was also the leader of Project Hyperion that captured photos from near space last November. 

Janesville's "National Night Out" was a resounding success.  Five members of the Rock County Composite Squadron represented Civil Air Patrol at the event sponsored by the Janesville Police Department. 

Lieutenant Colonel Larry Ochowski, Major David Deiler, 2nd Lieutenant Jacob Edwards, Cadet Senior Master Sergeant Cody Alexander and Cadet Staff Sergeant Jacob Papke worked at the recruiting and information booth distributing information about Civil Air Patrol while walking among the crowd.

The event drew a crowd that police estimated to be several thousand in spite of the record heat.

Photo #1: Pictured left to right are Maj. Deiler, C/SSgt Papcke and 2nd Lt Edwards.

Photo #2: A portion of the crowd in the two city block area event.

Members Civil Air Patrol were introduced to the “Candyman,” and the plane that bears that name when they tracked down the source of an ELT signal south of Sparta, Tuesday, August 3.

The encounter began with an airborne ELT signal that was reported Monday evening. The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center contacted Lieutenant Colonel Denese Helgeland, who over the next 12 hours deployed aircrews and ground teams from Stevens Point and Madison  squadrons to track down the signal.

The topography in that part of the state, known as the driftless region, made it challenging for both the aircrews and ground teams to pinpoint the source.

However, when ground personnel arrived at the scene, they discovered the signal came from an unusual plane, a 2008 AirCam, owned by Loran Nordgren.  Nordgren was surprised by the visit but was pleased to welcome them into his home and a show them a short video about his plane.

The AirCam, a dual seat light sport aircraft, was designed in 1995 by Phil Lockwood for National Geographic photographic missions over remote jungle areas.  The unique aircraft has two engines and completely redundant systems.  It is designed for low altitude flight and easy maneuvering, cruising at about 60 miles per hour.  It can take off in 100 feet, and climb out at 1200-1500 feet per minute.

One of the things Nordgren enjoys doing with his plane is flying over area farms to drop bags of candy to children, thus earning him his nickname.  He also enjoys giving flights through the Young Eagle program, for which he is coordinator of the local EAA chapter. This winter, Nordgren plans to fly tourists over Mayan ruins in Belize. 

Someday Nordgren hopes to meet the original “Berlin Candyman,” Air Force Colonel Gail Halvorsen, who dropped food and candy to children from his C-54 Skymaster during the beginning of the cold war.

"This was the most satisfying ELT shut downs I’ve been on," said Lt. Col. Peter Fabian of the Madison Composite Squadron.

Sometimes it pays off being a ground-pounder.

Shown are, from left to right, AirCam owner Loran Nordgren, Lt. Col. Tim Slater, Lt. Col. Peter Fabian, Cadet Senior Airman Edward Skaife, and Captain John Thompson.

With the world's largest fly-in in its backyard, members of Civil Air Patrol's Wisconsin Wing volunteered their help in supporting the eight-day event. EAA's AirVenture held annually in Oshkosh, ran July 25 - August 1. According to EAA 10,000 airplanes and 535,000 visitors converged on the grounds of EAA as well as surrounding communities.

Civil Air Patrol members participated in four main areas of the event:  EAA Precautionary Search and Rescue; Blue Beret, a national special cadet activity; the Civil Air Patrol National recruiting booth staffed by Wisconsin personnel; and members volunteering their time in support of KidVenture.

Under the direction of the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, Wisconsin Wing conducted a highly successful precautionary search and rescue mission from Thursday, July 22 - Monday, August 2 in support of the EAA's AirVenture Fly-in.

With over 50 personnel representing half of the squadrons and groups in Wisconsin, as well as some from region, they were assigned tasks daily along with 60 personnel from National Blue Beret.

The mission task assignments included 40 searches for overdue aircraft in and among the thousands of aircraft flown into the Oshkosh area at four local airports and deactivating eleven emergency locator transmissions (ELTs). Several Civil Air Patrol aircraft flew 32 precautionary air patrols, logging an excess of 70 hours of flight as they monitored for ELT signals. A reported seven ELT's were heard during the air patrols.

Lt Col. Dean Klassy, project officer for the mission, coordinated the twelve day event which encompassed four mission bases. Ground teams and supporting air crew were placed strategically around the surrounding communities in order to facilitate a quick response should an emergency have arisen.

The incident base was up and fully functional with 15 staff & support personnel along with three aircraft, and five ground teams. Having their base at Wittman airport, the Blue Berets were most visible at EAA and helped daily in crowd control and searched for the occasional ELT that could be heard.

Since half of the ground teams are located outside of Wittman airport and are not visible to the general public, many do not know or understand the important role that CAP plays in supporting the air show.

If a pilot is late or forgets to close out his flight plan, the FAA notifies CAP to try to locate said plane. Most often this occurs with pilots from outside of the United States as rules are often different depending on the country they are from. Upon locating the "missing plane", the FAA will close out the flight plan. Should a plane not be found, a subsequent mission will begin looking for the plane outside of its known final destination.

The Mobile Command Center monitored all communications within the mission as well as watched the weather for any approaching storms. Ground teams based with the command center recorded tail numbers as well as searched for and silenced ELTs that had been triggered. Seaplane base was kept busy helping the Coast Guard by logging in the planes that landed on Lake Winnebago.

Members from Wisconsin Wing also staffed the recruiting booth that national headquarters sponsors every year. Fox Cities Composite Squadron's Captain Robert Koehler, the project officer, kept things running smoothly and staffed the booth with 37 cadets and seniors rotating throughout the week.

Camaraderie described the experience for those working this year's national recruiting booth.  During this unique experience, members spread the story of Civil Air Patrol to prospective members. Both young and old were given information and took part in some demonstrations.  Fatal vision goggles showed the negative effects of alcohol; an L-PER helped them locate the ELT; and sitting in 10^th Senior Support Squadron's Cessna 182 with its Garmin 1000 glass cockpit, were opportunities everyone enjoyed.

Cadets working the booth shared their experiences performing search and rescue, disaster relief and field training exercises. Young people were eager to explore the CAP world with aerospace education activities and inquired about membership.

As adults walked by the booth two typical questions were asked: "Can I join CAP if I am a private pilot?" and "Is there something for me if I'm not a pilot?"  The resounding response given each time was "Yes, CAP offers something for everyone."  Prospective members were introduced to CAP's world and contact information was given of a unit close to their home. 

Fellow CAP members from across the United States also stopped to say "hi" and share information about fund raising, member recruitment, flight topics and much more. 

According to EAA, over 2,000 international visitors from 66 nations registered at EAA. Visitors from Germany, Australia, Canada, South Africa and China among others visited the booth to discuss the similarities, differences and challenges of their similar programs.

Cessna displayed a CAP Cessna 182 with a sign explaining our organization. CAP Members also staffed the display and answered questions. The Gippsland 8 was also on static display at the Gippsland booth.

One common thread throughout the entire event was enthusiasm and eagerness to share information.  Smiles and laughter were as common as was a farewell handshake and "We'll see you next year." 

An area that CAP members helped outside of the organization was an expanding role in aerospace education. Though these members were not officially representing CAP, it did allow them to share their knowledge of what they have learned in CAP with others. Occasionally they had the opportunity to share the CAP story with those visiting the booth and they were allowed to hand out information regarding the organization.

Located at Pioneer Airport, the Young Eagles Flight Education program offered guided hands-on educational activities in subjects such as aircraft design, weather, navigation, and airport regulations.  Volunteer instructors signed off each lesson, and after all lessons were completed, participants conducted a pre-flight and received a free lesson on a flight simulator by a certified flight instructor.  

Members from several units participated, including Brown County Composite Squadron, Rock County Composite squadron, 248^th TAC Air Senior Squadron, Stevens Point Composite Squadron, and Walco Composite Squadron.

The Young Eagles Flight Education Program was conceived and developed in 2007 by program director John A. Teipen.   The project expands the Young Eagle program that was launched in 1992 by renowned Air Force pilot Chuck Yeager in order to introduce young people into aviation through flights offered free of charge to young people ages 8 to 17.

Over 600 aspiring young pilots came through the Young Eagle Flight Education stations at KidVenture. 

Stevens Point Composite Squadron member 1^st Lt. Terese Barta was also recognized with an AirVenture Oshkosh 2010 Service to EAA award. The award, presented by Teipen, was for her contributions to the Young Eagle Education stations for the past four years.

All three missions of CAP were in practice during the week of AirVenture.

1)      Aerospace education was shared at both the recruiting booth as well as members volunteering at KidVenture.

2)      Cadet programs were the cadets' use their leadership skills learned to recruit as well as work on the emergency service side of things.

3)      Emergency Services was the biggest mission practiced during the week with members ready to spring into action should the need arise. Crowd control and looking for ELTs among thousands of people and airplanes was no easy task.

Together, members from around the nation came together to get the job done and to help make EAA AirVenture a safe and fun time for its guests. Mission accomplished.

Civil Air Patrol Cadet Brya Russell of Milwaukee, reached a milestone Monday evening when she was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant by receiving her Billy Mitchell Award during Timmerman Composite Squadron's weekly meeting. Her mother, Connorie, witnessed this special moment in her daughter's life. Timmerman's commander, Captain Thomas Kondziella and Second Lieutenant Lydia Gonwa slipped the new officer's epaulets on her shoulders while Cadet Second Lieutenant Britney Donald, cadet commander, presented Russell with a special challenge coin.

The award honors the late General Billy Mitchell, an aviation pioneer and staunch advocate of an independent U.S. Air Force. Mitchell showed that aircraft could be significant in war fighting by sinking several captured and overage battleships from the air in 1921 and 1923.

Only 15% of Civil Air Patrol cadets earn the Mitchell Award, according to the National Cadet Program's office. Recipients are eligible for various Civil Air Patrol scholarships and special activities designed for those in leadership roles.

Those who obtain their Mitchell Award are also eligible for advance placement to the grade of Airman First Class (E-3) should they join the U.S. Air Force and for advance credit in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC).

Being a Civil Air Patrol member for three years, Cadet Russell has grown in her leadership abilities and served as a flight sergeant at the 2010 Wisconsin Wing Encampment. Due to her leadership abilities, she has been appointed as the executive officer of cadets at Timmerman Composite Squadron and is currently leading the drill team.

Cadet Russell is the fourth cadet in her squadron this year to have achieved the rank of officer this year.