The cadets and staff have arrived safely at Camp Ripley, in Minnesota and had dinner waiting for them. As I write this, they have started the in-processing procedure and are quickly becoming acclimated to their surroundings and the routine that goes along with encampment.  

This will be the first of nightly reports of the Wisconsin Wing Encampment, being held at Camp Ripley in Minnesota.

Please check here daily and at the encampment website for daily newsletters and pictures. Should an emergency arise at home, contact information is posted on the encampment website as well.  The website for the most up to date news and photos is:  www.encampment.wiwgcap.org or clink on the link above that says "Encampment".

1t Lt Cindi Wachholz is our Assistant Public Affairs Officer this year and she will be playing a large part in taking pictures, writing articles, and everything else that the Public Affairs Officer does. She and her two sons, who are attending this year's Wisconsin Cadet Academy and the new Color Guard Academy, have come all the way from Iowa to help.

We truly hope you enjoy the newsletters and pictures this year. 1t Lt Wachholz and I hope that we can help you to better understand and "see" the many activities in the day and life of your cadet. 

Oshkosh, WI. Members of three Wisconsin Wing squadrons engaged in CAP’s mission of aerospace education by instructing at the Young Eagle Flight Education program.  The activity as held at the KidVenture area at Pioneer Airport.

KidVenture, which ran 9 am to 3:30 pm Monday through Sunday during the EAA convention (July 26-August 2), offered learning stations with guided hands-on educational activities in areas such as aircraft design, weather, navigation, and airport regulations.  Participants received a workbook consisting of  seven lessons, including an actual airplane preflight, which were signed off by volunteer instructors.  After completion, participants received a lesson on a flight simulator with a certified flight instructor, complete with a pilot logbook entry and achievement certificate.

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.  One of the program’s strongest advocates has been actor and pilot Harrison Ford.

According to Teipen, an estimated 650 aspiring young pilots came through the Young Eagle Flight Education stations at Kidventure.

Volunteers from the (Walco Composite Squadron (WI-184) were Maj Bob Thomas, Capt Bill Gehrmann, 1Lt Debbie Holden, 2Lt Pam Thomas, C/SSgt Luke Gorst, C/SSgt Nicole Steig, Cadet Joseph Geldermann, and Cadet Noah Rabic. 

From the Col Sac composite squadron (WI-196) were Capt Matthew Barrett, Capt Jeff Gertgen, C/TSgt Dakota Cahill, and C/A1C Tahma Hesed.

Capt John Thompson and 1Lt Terese Barta from the Stevens Point Composite Squadron (WI-183) also instructed the entire week for the third year in a row.

CAP members were also joined by volunteers from NASA, the FAA, and Daniel Webster College.


 

The Civil Air Patrol, with help from members of Fox Cities Composite and West Bend Composite Squadrons, were able to recruit and promote their services to thousands of people at the world's largest air show, AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI on July 27 - August 2.

Blue Beret, a National Cadet Special Activity, was also able to help man the booth. Blue Beret is a two week program whose main mission is to support EAA in flight line marshaling and ELT searches.

CAP members spoke to an estimated 4,000 people handing out information on the volunteer organization that encompasses Emergency Services, Cadet Programs, and Aerospace Education. Showing off Eau Claire's new Cessna 182 airplane equipped with the Garmin 1000, drew some attention as well to the booth.

According to Capt Robert Koehler, the Project Officer assigned by National Headquarters, "It was great to represent CAP at the world's largest air show; generating interest to people from around the nation and the world, and having the opportunity to interact with those with a common interest in aviation."

Perspective members were able to go on the web and use National Headquarters' website to locate the nearest unit to their home. Those who stopped by the CAP booth enjoyed the pictures of the three missions of CAP. Ages ranged from toddlers to those who were retired wanting to mentor cadets and teach them how to fly. 

Some of the highlights of the week included having a personal tour of the Airbus 380 which was flown into Oshkosh from France. The French crew were very gracious in giving the CAP volunteers a personalized tour, avoiding the two hour wait in line. This was the first time they allowed the general public to tour the massive plane. Generally it has only been scheduled groups allowed to see the inside of this test plane.

It was a privilege to meet many military personnel who were former cadets and who were thankful for the leadership abilities that they learned in CAP.

C/CMSgt Lichtenwald was interviewed by WOSH Newstalk 1490 AM. The interviewer's sister is a former CAP cadet. The station wanted the perspective of a currant cadet, what he thought of the air show, and his involvement in the volunteer organization.

Tuskegee Airmen Lt Col Julius Jackson, a member of CAP, paid the booth a visit and greeted many of those who inquired about CAP. With his charm and personality, it was no wonder he drew a crowd.

The group was able to meet with the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, Canada's counterpart to CAP. The two groups exchanged information about each other's program; their similarities and differences. The most notable differences are that Canada's cadets are paid for their services if on staff at an activity, they learn to fly gliders first, have a music program, and weekly meetings are mandatory to which they only meet during the school year.

AirVenture, as well as local air shows, are important events for CAP to have a presence in for recruiting and promoting CAP. This event however, had the potential of reaching the greatest number of people from around the country in one place. Not only did it reach those who live in Wisconsin, but thousands of people attending AirVenture from other states. This was a golden opportunity for CAP and Wisconsin Wing to shine before the world. 

Volk Field, WI.  Like a scene from the TV series “MASH,” a field hospital was flooded with arriving casualties while doctors and nurses rushed to triage the patients.  Amongst those casualties were 18 members of the Wisconsin Wing Civil Air Patrol, assisting the coalition medical team during Operation Patriot 2009 at Volk Field CRTC. 

During the three day medical exercise, CAP volunteers played live medical victims.  Each morning they departed their barracks at Ft. McCoy by 0530 in order to be ready at “the pit” by 0700 hours.  To become realistic medical victims, CAP volunteers went though a process called moulage, a type of make up that can be used to simulate a variety of wounds, bruises, and burns. Live victims not only had to look the part, but act it as well. 

Scenarios are planned in advance, and could get quite involved.  This year, events included medical transport by Blackhawk helicopter or C-130 transport plane.

Operation Patriot, which began in the 1990s, is the largest joint training exercise sponsored by the National Guard Bureau.  National Guard units from across the country participate in scenario-based training events with the U.S. Army and Air Force, together with military personnel from five other countries. 

Public Affairs Officer 2 Lt John D. Fesler (USAF) described it as a “true joint force activity.” 

Working side by side with their American counterparts were personnel from Canada, the Netherlands, Armenia, Slovakia, and Poland.  There were also observers from India.  Between Volk Field and Ft. McCoy, there were almost 3000 total participants. 

Participation in Operation Patriot was a unique way to promote the Civil Air Patrol to military personnel who did not have previous contact with or much knowledge about CAP. 

In total, there were 10 senior members and 8 cadets who took time off from their work or summer activities to volunteer.  Representing the Madison Composite Squadron were: Lt Col John Potterton, Capt Paul Vanderboleman, Capt David Vriezen (who served as safety officer), 1 Lt Leon Pechatnikov, C/CMSgt Nathan Walker, C/SrA Phillip Tomovici, C/SrA Elizabeth Wussow, C/SrA Sean Patchin, Jr., and C/MSgt Alex Lengyl. 

Volunteers from the Timmerman Composite squadron were S/M Timothy McCaigue (new member, shown at right), C/2 Lt Daniel Haffner, and C/CMSgt Britney Donald. From the Eagle River Composite Squadron were Capt Michael Krein and C/TSgt Zac Velpel.  Volunteering from the LaCrosse Composite Squadron were 1 Lt Alison Schneller and S/M Linda Zimmerman (also new to CAP).  Also participating this year were Lt Col Marcia Cunningham (HQ WI Wing) and 1 Lt Terese Barta (Stevens Point Composite Squadron).

This is the fifth year that the Wisconsin Wing has provided volunteers for the coalition medical team.  Lt Col  Potterton has served as the CAP event coordinator for all five years, but will hand over the responsibility for coordinating next year’s event to Capt Krein.

Participants received a certificate of appreciation from Medical Exercise Director USAF Col James A. Fike.  They also took with them with a better understanding of how critical realistic medical training is for both the military patients and medical personnel.  Most plan to return to Patriot next year.

 

Stevens Point, WI.  According to the Cadet Programs Office at National Headquarters, only 15% of Civil Air Patrol cadets achieve the General Billy Mitchell Award.

On July 6, C/CMSgt Robert Kulp of the Stevens Point Composite Squadron, joined that select group as he was presented the award by Wing Vice Commander Lt Col Clarence Peters during the squadron meeting.  Accompanying that award, Cadet Kulp was promoted to Cadet Second Lieutenant. 

Cadet Kulp is the son Bob and Laura Kulp of Stratford.  He has been involved in Civil Air Patrol for over two years.  He plans to begin flight training in the near future, in order to earn his private pilot certificate.  His future goals include becoming a missionary pilot.

The Mitchell Award, which has existed since 1964, honors the late General Billy Mitchell, an aviation pioneer and staunch advocate of an independent U.S. Air Force. The  award is the second major milestone of the cadet program.  This award can only be certified and awarded by National Headquarters.  Cadets who receive the Mitchell award are eligible for advanced placement to the grade of E-3 (Airman First Class) should they choose to enter the U.S. Air Force.  In addition, a Mitchell cadet is eligible for advance credit in AFROTC, various CAP scholarships, and CAP special activity opportunities.