Camp Ripley, MN

It is the natural process that after learning to follow and function as a team, which is what they learn in Basic School, the cadets must learn to lead. In WCA, the cadets fine tune their leadership skills. A cadet may have already learned to "drill" and "present the colors," but can he teach others to do the same? Can he lead a flight in a drill routine or teach a class in a moment's notice? Can she make a schedule for a meeting? Does she know how to prioritize and have good time management skills? Some may have these skills naturally, but for most, they are learned. And for leaders, they are critical.

All of the WIWG Encampment cadets are doing well. The staff is not doing too bad either - though getting a little bit tired. This is an experience that the cadets will not soon forget, so be prepared to listen when they come home. There will be many stories to be told.

 For Monday, August, 25, 2008, the Honor Cadets are:

Squadron 1

Alpha Flight:  C/A1C Alicia Severinsen *

Bravo Flight:  C/SrA Nathan Filippelli

Squadron 2

Charlie Flight:  C/A1C Aaron Grave *

Delta Flight:  C/MSgt Justin Waltho

* Also received Honor Cadet for their Squadron.

Honor Flight of the Day: Charlie Flight

Camp Ripley, MN - Excerpted from the Cadet's Newsletter: Sunday was a full day of activity, yet somewhat a little more relaxed than rest of the week will be. For Basic School and WCA alike, it started with breakfast (an essential to start the day), went into maintaining the dorms, meeting the essential encampment staff, and then off to classes. There is much to learn in CAP and the cadets got a full dose.

The morning ended with those wanting to attend a church service, being able to do so. Lunch followed with stuffed crust pizza, and then back to the "basics" in classrooms.

Speaking of the food! It's not ordinary "camp food". So far it has been very good and "cadet friendly" just like how Mom would make it. Spaghetti was on the menu for dinner, after which the cadets participated either in PT and volleyball, or in the case of WCA, learned "How to Lead PT". The basics were able to relax a little in the day room as the evening drew to a close. Bed never looked so good!

HONOR CADETS

This honor goes to the one cadet in each flight for outstanding performance and teamwork. For Sunday,

August, 24, 2008, the honors go to:

Squadron 1

Alpha Flight: C/Amn Brittany Waltho

Bravo Flight: C/TSgt Aaron Agnello *

Squadron 2

Charlie Flight: C/MSgt Austin Davis

Delta Flight: C/SrA Stephan Delcuze' *

* Also received Honor Cadet for their Squadron.

Camp Ripley, MN - One hundred and twenty-eight cadets and adult officers (senior members) traveled safely to Camp Ripley in Little Falls, MN, and arrived at approximately 6 PM on Saturday, August 23, 2008. Of the 128 participants, 65 cadets are in the Wisconsin Basic School, 17 in the Wisconsin Cadet Academy, 20 in the Wisconsin Staff School, and 26 on senior staff. Most units made two stops after leaving their home squadron. Assembly points included Madison, Stevens Point, Appleton, and Milwaukee, with all units converging at Eau Claire, WI where the group marshaled ten vans and two trailers for the final four-hour drive to central Minnesota.

Also in Eau Claire, everyone had a chance to stretch their legs and get lunch. Cadets were then sorted into their respective flights and loaded back into the vans to study their Student Handbooks for the remainder of the trip. Encampment had officially started! 

Upon arriving at Camp Ripley, dinner was served and was immediately followed by the always anticipated In-Processing. Each cadet received a commemorative t-shirt, had their ID's checked and their luggage was inspected for "contraband," such as weapons, food, electronics, etc. Medical personnel also logged in medications. Finally, everyone picked up their bedding and headed off to the barracks. Lights were out at 2200 (10 PM) because reville would come quickly at 0530 (5:30 AM)! 

C/2d Lt Hannah Wiesneski and C/2d Lt Daniel Haffner said it best, "We want our cadets to transform from individuals to a team, understanding that nothing in Civil Air Patrol is done without teamwork."

To read more about WIWG Encampment and to view and/or print photos, visit the WIWG Encampment website.  http://www.wiwgcap.org/encampment/

Appleton, WI - This past weekend, August 15-16, more than 80 Civil Air Patrol (CAP) members met in Appleton for a two-day Search and Rescue Evaluation (SAR-Eval). Eight aircraft/aircrews (including the Gippsland G-8 Airvan with the ARCHER system), three ground teams, and 30+ mission base staff were involved in the highly intense evaluation, designed to test the wing's disaster recovery, search and rescue, and emergency services capabilities.

The wing proved to be well trained and ready to go. In addition, there were a few new faces to learn the many facets of CAP emergency services. According to Wing Commander, Col Don Haffner, "It took more than just the weekend to achieve this score; it took years of training, working, and preparing by everyone to achieve this accomplishment. Great Lakes Liaison Region (GLLR) Operations Officer and head of the evaluation team, Lt Col Dave Tubb (USAF) observed, "It is never nice to be evaluated, but if you must be evaluated, it is nice to work so hard and have a team committed to excellence. You built on your past experience, and your commitment to each other was outstanding."

Thanks go to Lt Col Jerry Krueger, the Project Officer, and to Fox Cities Composite Squadron for hosting the activity. Additional thanks to Racine Composite Squadron for technology support and delivery/pick-up of the Mobile Command Center. Finally, thanks to the Wing Logistics staff for its help in delivering and setting up the Mobile Recruiting Trailer.

Milwaukee, WI –  Officer Mick Olson of the South Milwaukee Police Department talked informally with the cadets of Milwaukee Composite Squadron #5 about drugs – both illegal and prescription. Also in attendance were the cadets' parents, CAP officers (senior members), and visitors from Timmerman Composite Squadron.

Officer Olson asked the cadets if they knew about drugs and told them he wasn’t trying to scare them, but offered some information and tips on what to do if they saw friends who were using drugs. He asked them for current names of drugs and other information that might help him help others. He also spoke with parents and CAP officers about the drugs, especially prescription drugs being used by local young people and adults and how they are made available to children.

Capt Donna Daniels, Wisconsin Wing Director of Drug Demand Reduction, also spoke to cadets and parents about various types of drug use in the state, and gave information about Parent Corps and other drug intervention programs/resources.

The information was given in an informal settings with cadets separated from the adults so that they could be more relaxed and candid. Cadet officers remained with the younger cadets throughout the sessions.