The 2010 Wisconsin Wing Encampment has officially come to a close. The final copy of The Volk Daily Herald is now posted on the Wisconsin Wing Encampment website; found at the top of this page with a tab. Pictures will soon be added to the Wisconsin Wing Encampment Facebook page.

It was a great encampment and by all accounts, the cadets learned a lot and improved in their leadership skills, as well as exceeded their own personal goals. As evidenced by the photos that soon will be posted, they enjoyed themselves during the week-long encampment. Getting up at the crack of dawn, making their beds, keeping their rooms neat and tidy, and the continual flow of classes did not dampen their spirits nor did it deter them from doing their best.

The cadets were challenged in many facets, and they faced those challenges head on and overcame the obstacles that they thought were there. Fears were put aside and the "can do" attitude was prevalent among the cadets.

Giving up was not an option and many discovered that they really could fly a plane, climb a wall, cross a pool of water without falling in, or simply find their target in a heavily wooded area and make it back out again. Teamwork was the main goal this week and they learned it well.

Each school had its highlight during the week. For Wisconsin Basic School, the land navigation course as well as orientation rides in Civil Air Patrol aircraft were their highlights. Learning how to find a target in a mission is extremely important in a real life situation and a skill that needs to be practiced first hand.

Wisconsin Cadet Academy found that they could overcome obstacles when working as a team. Many skills were learned on the Leadership Reaction Course and fears had to be put aside in order to help the team accomplish its goal. Each team member had a chance to be the leader, but they also had to learn to follow.

The Color Guard Academy, only in its second year, had the honor of participating as the colors element of the funeral detail at a military funeral. Not only were the cadets able to present the flags, but they had a first-hand glimpse of why they were learning the seriousness of their duties. Not only respect for our flag, the symbol of our freedom, but respect for those who served or died serving our country.

As a reward for performing their first military funeral, the base honor guard representative, Senior Master Sergeant Statz awarded each of the members of the color guard with a certificate. The cadets also earned their honor guard patch, also known as their “cookie” from Sgt Statz.

There were record numbers in attendance at the Pass in Review parade and banquet with more than 150 parents and guests in attendance. Though the banquet started a little late, it gave the cadets week one last chance to speak with the many new friends that they made during the week. These are friends that they will no doubt keep for a lifetime. 

It is hard to believe that this week is almost over. The cadets have been having a blast from all accounts from what the public affairs department has heard. From judging the pictures and all the smiling faces on them, they most certainly have enjoyed the week of activities.

They have worked hard and today are the final preparations for the big day – GRADUATION! Seeing all of those cadets in their blues is very impressive.

Due to the hectic pace of the week, and the fun time we have had taking pictures of your cadets, we have not had the chance to post many photos on line. There will be no newsletter released on Friday, July 2. The final newsletter will be done and posted on line no later than Sunday morning. We will then be able to start posting more pictures on the Facebook page. We sincerely appreciate your patience in this matter. 

Please remember that if you have not already signed up for coming to the graduation and/or banquet, your name is not on the list to get on the base. The deadline unfortunately has passed and only those vehicles and names listed will be allowed on base by the Volk Field Security.

The banquet has filled to capacity. Even those attending the parade and graduation that DID NOT sign up for the banquet, unfortunately will have to leave the base for dinner.

Graduation ceremonies set for Friday, July 2 will kick off with the Pass in Review at 2:30 pm and conclude with the banquet, beginning at 7:00 pm.

All parents/family/guests should arrive at Volk Field NO EARLIER THAN 1:45 pm. You will report to building 432 (see the attached map) and park in its parking lot. You will be directed from there.

(Map Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=&daddr=43.923986,-90.261526&hl=en&geocode=&mra=mi&mrsp=0&sz=15&sll=43.92819,-90.264187&sspn=0.023799,0.055575&ie=UTF8&z=15 )

The rest of the base is OFF LIMITS to visitors. Please help us maintain use of this fantastic base by not straying from this visitors area!

Our reviewing officer and special banquet guest will be Brigadier General John McCoy, Wisconsin's Assistant Adjutant General-Air and Commander of the Wisconsin Air National Guard.

The tentative schedule for Friday, 2 July is as follows (note, this is somewhat of a change from what some of you may have been told on the phone or in e-mail already):

Pass in Review: 2:30 pm, by the baseball diamond
Graduation: 3:30 pm, in the Conference and Lodging Center
Special Parents/Family Presentation: 5:00 pm, at the Dining Hall
Banquet: seating at 6:30 pm, at the Conference and Lodging Center

Events will conclude by approximately 9:30 pm.

Those parents that have arranged for early pick-up of their cadets will be able to do so at this time. Note: any parents that request early pick up on the day of the banquet may have to wait until their cadet is able to pack his/her belongings. Additionally, there may be an additional wait if any contraband was confiscated at the beginning of the Encampment.

Final Note:

The 2010 Wisconsin Wing Encampment is in full swing at Volk Field Air National Guard in Camp Douglas, Wisconsin. The first addition of the newsletter is now up for your viewing pleasure. Follow the link above to get to the Wisconsin Wing Encampment website. Once on the encampment website, click on the newsletter link and you will be able to view it and all future newsletters.

The cadets have been busy getting settled in, getting on a schedule, learning who is who on staff, and a lot of class time has been on the schedule for the first day. The cadets are eager to learn all that they can however, and so far, are doing a fantastic job.

 Though the weather has been dreary with clouds, rain and humidity, spirits are high and they are all doing well. Rest of the week promises to be gorgeous with lower temperatures and sunshine all week.

The public affairs staff has been kept busy and we have A LOT of pictures to share with you, which we all know you have been waiting for. Please be patient with us as there is much to do before we can post them. But trust us, it will be worth the wait.

In a day or so, the schedule for Friday will be posted for those of you who are attending the Pass in Review Parade, graduation, and the banquet. You will have an opportunity to take photos of your cadet with cadet in their school, flight, and squadron.

To see the encampment photos, please do a search for Civil Air Patrol - Wisconsin Wing Encampment on Facebook. Photos will be added daily and we hope you enjoy them.

Please check the website daily for the daily newsletter and any updates.

Time is running out to apply for Operation Patriot 2010.

Operation Patriot will be held July 17-21 at Volk Field, Wis.  Volunteers are needed to play medical casualties for emergency medical personnel as part of the National Guard’s largest joint training exercise.

Operation Patriot involves the United States Army, Air Force, with Army and Air National Guard, as well as units from our European and Canadian allies.

Civil Air Patrol participation helps train medical personnel that may be deployed overseas. It is also an opportunity to get to know members from other squadrons. 

Requirements for senior member are completion of level one, and understanding of cadet protection policies.  Cadets may participate if they are at least 14 years old and hold the rank of Cadet Senior Airman or higher.

Participants must arrive in BDU uniforms no later than 1300 hours on Saturday, July 17.  During the exercise, participants will wear civilian clothing that can get dirty with make-up and mock blood.

There is no cost to attend, but volunteers must provide their own transportation to and from Volk Field.

If interested, send completed CAPF-31 (with commander approval) to Captain Mike Krein.  Scan forms and email them to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Capt. Krein has requested each applicant's  email address be written on the CAPF-31.

Capt. Krein needs to let the Air Force know the number of participants before July 1.

Stevens Point, Wis. Cadet Capt. Steven Lang has been awarded a four-year Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) college scholarship.  The scholarship will pay for up to $18,000 in tuition and $900 in fees each year when he starts college this fall at Cedarville University in Ohio. 

Cadet Capt. Lang, of Marshfield, will major in Chemistry, and plans to attend medical school through the military after graduation.  His career goal is to become a flight surgeon.

Cedarville University also awarded Lang an additional $8000 scholarship per year conditional upon Lang maintaining a grade point average of at least 3.2.

Lang joined the Stevens Point Composite Squadron in 2006 and has served as the cadet commander since 2008. He became an active ground team member, and pursued flight training through his solo flight.

“It’s easy for us to understand why Steven was an honored recipient of this ROTC scholarship,” said Major James Johnson, the squadron’s Emergency Services Officer. “He has demonstrated work ethic and consistently contributed to our Civil Air Patrol Squadron.  Steve has positively influenced the lives of cadet and seniors members alike.”

Lang has taken advantage of many leadership opportunities that the cadet program offers. In addition to participating in two state-level encampments, he attended a summer, nationally-competitive Air Force Pararescue/Jumper orientation course.  This July he will travel to Belgium as a representative of the Civil Air Patrol through the International Air Cadet Exchange program.

Lang credits his experiences in Civil Air Patrol for helping him become accepted into the ROTC program at Cedarville University.

“Civil Air Patrol's professional environment and its activities, such as the pararescue/jumper course and encampment, helped me to have background knowledge of the Air Force,” he said.

He added, “Civil Air Patrol experience, with its standard of 'Excellence' and 'Volunteer Service,' carries over into academic and community environments.”