“FIVE, FOUR, THREE, TWO, ONE, LAUNCH!”, and the probe to Comet CAP was on its way as Civil Air Patrol cadets and officers got the opportunity to work together at Challenger’s Mission Control and in the International Space Station (ISS) March 20^th.  Twenty members of Milwaukee Composite Squadron #5 along with First Lieutenant Kathleen Dugas from Racine Composite Squadron and Major Ron Sorenson from SE Wisconsin Group, traveled to the Challenger Learning Center in Woodstock, Illinois courtesy of a grant from Air Force Association Billy Mitchell Chapter #247, to find out more about the space program. 

Working in teams the twelve cadets and ten officers manned posts such as communications, data, navigation, and medical, among others.  Probe teams worked in tandem: Mission Control told their counterparts on the International Space Station how to assemble and test the probe from a batch of items identified in their Clean Room only by part number.  Some team members aboard the ISS used robotic arms to move items remotely or handled samples with their arms in sterile “glove boxes”.  Teams used their headsets and task sheets to communicate with partners in a separate section of the facility amid a constant chatter of announcements blasting overhead from the communications team.  Everything was on a countdown clock.  Only after they experienced it did they understand why one of the requirements for most of the teams was a“high frustration tolerance”!  Everyone learned that all the teams were necessary to locate the comet, launch the probe, and analyze the data while keeping astronauts on the space station alive and in communication with Mission Control on Earth.

Once aboard the ISS, Commander Sherry had her entire team make several promises among which were the promise to do their best and above all, to have FUN!  Time and tasks passed quickly when suddenly a lost air filter caused flashing red lights and a warning that only five minutes of oxygen remained aboard the space station!  Calm and resourceful cadets found the missing filter with two minutes to spare.  Cadet Hubbard said the meteorite shower aboard the space station was the most fun.  Announcements blared and the crew took cover under their stations.  Then, loud crackles and bangs sounded as if meteorites were really hitting outside metal walls before an all clear was sounded.  He also said that using the robotic arm to move the panels was the hardest thing he had to do.

Mission Control and ISS Commanders from the Challenger staff were Commander Emily Gibson and Commander Sherry Mesick, respectively.  Both are former teachers with more than twenty five years experience each.  Although the weekly programs are for grade school age students, it is adaptable and can be made challenging enough so that all can find success at their tasks.  Commander Sherry stated that she had never heard so many people call her “Ma’am” in all her life, but she loved it.  “If you come back again, let me know and I’ll be here in a flash,” she said.  Commenting on the variety of skills needed for the tasks, Commander Emily stated that, “If we know what they need ahead of time and if you provide someone who can read to work with them we can accommodate nearly everyone.”  She also said that the program is set up so “wherever you are [in the station] you should feel success”. 

In addition to Commander Emily and Commander Sherry, a young college freshman, Volunteer Christina Aguilar, was on hand to assist the probe team in the clean room aboard the ISS.  Ms. Aguilar first came to Challenger Learning Center as a fifth grader and said, “I remember thinking I was really in space!”  She was the first of more than a dozen Challenger alumni to be a McHenry County College Promise Program volunteer.

The realism of the surroundings, enhanced by a major remodeling project that has just been completed, is stunning.  Weighing objects on gram scales, using robotic arms, glove boxes, communications equipment, and keyboards linked to overhead status boards with instant results made for an exciting, fun-filled morning. 

Commander Steve Otten, the Center’s Executive Director, said the teamwork and maturity he saw in our cadets made him very pleased to host another Civil Air Patrol unit for a visit and he looked forward to seeing us again.  We hope to factor this experience into future plans so that every two years a new group of cadets from our squadron can visit the center, face these challenges, and think about possible careers in space.

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All photos by Lt Col Jo Stys, CAP

Group Photo

Back row, left to right:  2^nd Lt Adam Mutchler, C/Amn Jeremy Ratka, C/SSgt Chinedu Ozodi, Maj Ron Sorenson (SE Group), Lt Col Julie Anne Sorenson, Lt Col Carol Sims, 1^st Lt Kathleen Dugas (Racine Comp Sqdrn), C/Amn Christopher Sorenson, Maj Sylvester Sims, Maj Roy Seymer Front Row, left to right: C/A1C Adam Fleming, C/Amn Danielle Sorenson, C/Amn Zachary Lolar, C/SSgt Christian Tipton, C/SSgt Jesse Hubbard, C/Amn Chidibele Ozodi, C/Amn Jasmine Grant, C/Amn Katelyn   Kraus, Lt Col Danielle Michaels, Lt Col Jo Stys, and Squadron Commander, Capt Glen Hutchison.

ISO Stations 02 & 03 - In the rear Lt Col Julie Anne Sorenson works with C/Amn Danielle Sorenson while C/SSgt Jesse Hubbard checks his task book before grasping the robotic arm controllers.

C/SSGT Chinedu Ozodi at the probe assembly.  He relied on messages from Mission Control to build the probe.

Challenger Commander Emily briefs the Mission Control crew on what to expect from the status board and how communications will be heard.  Captain Hutchison is at the Navigation station in the rear with C/Amn Katelyn Kraus at medical ready to request physical tests from her teammate on the ISS.

Space station crew gather anxiously with Commander Sherry at the Comm station as C/Amn Chris Sorenson (seated) receives the analysis of probe data from Mission Control.

Wisconsin Wing Civil Air Patrol has been called into action to help with assessing the flooding in North Dakota, with three members of 10^th Senior Support flying to Fargo.  Col Larry Stys, Lt Col Dean Dolence, and Capt Jeff Stockinger left Wisconsin in the C182 on Tuesday afternoon, March 23, after being put on alert last week. Their deployment should last through the weekend.

They have been tasked to help by flying one of the Great Lakes Region's GA-8 airplanes equipped with the ARCHER system.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been finding the pictures that CAP has been taking to be very useful as they are watching the flooded areas over the Red River as well as other areas in North Dakota and Minnesota.  The Wisconsin team also took the Aerial Digital Imaging System (ADIS) with them to use for aerial photography in the C182 if needed.

As the flooding moves north of Fargo; yes, the Red River flows north there, the team will be flying 4 sorties a day watching and documenting the nine (9) dams that have been weakened due to the melting snow. The dams are actually earthen levees, making it even more crucial to watch for any weakening in their walls. They also will be observing a route-track to gauge rest of the snow melt.

The flooding, which started last week in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota has been complicated due to ice dams, making it even more crucial to keep an eye on this situation. CAP volunteers were sprung into action last week not only with aerial photography, but with filling sandbags attempting to keep the water back from homes and businesses. The plan is to keep the sandbags in place for approximately a month until the threat of future flooding is gone. Until the snow and ice are completely melted, they must monitor the weather for any new snow or possible rain which could complicate the matter instantly.

According to Maj Tim Dixon, commander of 10^th Senior Support, "It is important that we train to take and send good photos since this is the tasking for REDCAPs that we are seeing more and more of."

For up to date information and pictures on the overall flooding in the North Central Region, please visit: http://www.capvolunteernow.com/highprofile_missions//flooding_2010_news.cfm

Air Force Association (AFA) Chapter Vice President for Leadership Development and Past President Don Adams and President Victor (Vic) Johnson made the presentation at the squadron meeting in recognition of Cadet Ruud's efforts in all phases of the cadet program in 2009.  Adams stated, "We need more young people like you", as he shook Cadet Ruud's hand and looked toward the rest of the assembled cadet squadron after presenting the AFA ribbon and accompanying medal and certificate.

Cadet Ruud is fourteen and currently serving as Bravo Flight Commander at the squadron.  He was the junior flag bearer in the squadron's color guard which took a third place overall in the recent Wing Color Guard Competition.  His quick and accurate responses helped the unit secure a first place in panel quiz and a tie in the written exam portion of the competition.

The annual Cadet of the Year award is given to any cadet, regardless of rank, who displays outstanding dedication to Civil Air Patrol's three missions.  This award came as a surprise to Cadet Roman Ruud, who has been focused on practicing for the color guard competition and his middle school basketball playoffs.

His older brother, Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Niko Ruud, who will be attending the Air Force Academy, was honored the same evening as the Squadron's Cadet of the Year for 2009.  Cadet Roman Ruud has indicated that he intends to follow his brother in seeking an appointment to the Air Force Academy.

Five teams competed in the annual Civil Air Patrol Cadet Competition for Wisconsin at John Long Middle School in Grafton, on March 13. Taking first place overall for Color Guard was the 153^rd Madison Composite Squadron. The Racine Composite Squadron took first place in all categories for Drill Team. Both will advance to the 2010 Great Lakes Region Competition held at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio on May 2-4 where they will compete with Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio.

Individual first place awards went to C/SMSgt Sean Patchin of Madison for the written exam; C/Amn Mitchell Vogel of Madison for the fastest male mile run; and C/A1C Cyrstal Staszak of Milwaukee Composite Squadron #5 for the fastest female mile run.

The color guard and drill teams competed in several categories, including in-ranks inspection, standard drill, innovative drill, panel quiz, written exam, and the mile run.

The Madison unit, based at the National Guard Armory in Madison, won first place  in the Outdoor Practical Drill, Panel Quiz, and the mile run. They tied for first place in the written exam with Milwaukee Composite Squadron #5, located in Oak Creek, who also won first place in Panel Quiz.

Fox Cities Composite Squadron, located in their hangar at the Outagamie Co Airport Appleton, won first place in In-Ranks Inspection, Standard Drill, and Indoor Practical Drill.

153^rd Madison Composite Squadron Color Guard Team: Major Ryan Krenke (team escort), C/SrA Mitch Vogel (alternate), C/A1C Ronnie Krauss, C/SMSgt Elizabeth Wussow (color guard commander), C/SMSgt Natalie Marshall, C/SMSgt Sean Patchin, Jr., Capt Suz Potterton (team escort).

Racine Composite Squadron is located at the Wisconsin National Guard Armory in Racine.

The drill team members are as follows: Front row - C/CMSgt Robert Resch, C/SMSgt Amber Silvers, C/Amn Alyssa Polasky, C/Amn Nicole Kokke, 1^st Lt Kathy Dugas (team escort). Back row - Major Tamara Wienke (team escort), C/2d Lt Michael Thoennes (drill team commander), C/A1C David Rubinson, C/Amn Reese Grabowski, C/1Lt Noel Castillo, 1^st Lt Craig Czerwinski (team escort).

Wearing his original uniform, 1^st Lt Frank Speer from the U.S. Army Air Corps, WWII veteran, and former POW, spoke to a over 50 members and guests of 10^th Senior Support and Timmerman Composite Squadron on Monday, March 1 at the Timmerman hangar.

Born in 1922 and following in his father's footsteps who served in World War I in the Army Infantry, Lt Speer joined the Army Air Force Aviation Cadet Program  in January 1942. After his training ended in Texas as a fighter pilot, he received his wings and was commissioned in the Army Air Corps and was sent to Florida for a week of ground training.

Lt Speer flew the P-51 aircraft with the 54^th and 57^th Fighter Squadrons from October 1943 to February 1944. He was then sent to England where he underwent combat flight training for a month. In April 1944, Lt Speer as assigned to the 334^th Fighter Squadron, 4^th Fighter Group, in which he began flying fighter combat missions over Germany.

It was at this time during his 17^th mission that Lt Speer was shot down near the Polish border on May 29, 1944 and he became a prisoner of war. It was these stories that Lt Speer spoke to the CAP audience. Enlightening the group as to the food the prisoners had to endure, the Germans tactics in interrogation, as well as the jokes they would play on the German officers, served to captivate all in the room.

He also spoke of the three times he tried to escape his German captors and the 77 hour march in sub-zero temperatures. He was eventually rendered totally disabled because of that march, though he joked that his "wife never knew that". No doubt it was his sense of humor that kept him going during this time of being a POW.

It was the third such march to Mooseberg that Lt Speer and a companion escaped the Germans clutches. They made their way to allied forces near Mooseberg on April 29, 1945 and returned stateside in June. He concluded his career with the Air Corp in December 1946.   

Lt Speer was credited with shooting down two enemy aircraft as well as destroying four on the ground. He was awarded the Prisoner of War Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, as well as his campaign medals. He has authored four books about his wartime experiences and an artist has painted a picture of his being shot down in which the original now hangs at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

Monday, March 1, C/2d Lt Britney Donald received the General Billy Mitchell Award. Lt Col Christoffer Trossen, commander of Timmerman Composite Squadron, placed her first set of boards on her shoulders and congratulated her for a job well done. As he handed her the certificate, 1st Lt Frank Speer, honored guest and a WWII veteran and former POW, gave C/2d Lt Donald a challenge to continue to follow her dream and keep up the good work.

C/2d Lt Donald joined CAP in June 2005 and is currently the cadet commander at Timmerman. She has also been on the squadron's drill team, placing second in the 2009 Great Lakes Region Cadet Competition, as well as worked on staff for the Color Guard Academy at the 2009 Wisconsin Wing Encampment. She is in her freshman year of college at Milwaukee Area Technical College, West Allis and plans are to transfer to UW-Madison where she will earn her degree in International Studies.

The award is a milestone in the cadet program in that a cadet leaves the ranks of a non-commissioned officer and becomes a cadet officer. According to National Headquarters, only 15% of cadets in the program obtain this achievement.

The Mitchell Award, established in 1964, honors the late General Billy Mitchell, an aviation pioneer and advocate of an independent U.S. Air Force. The award is the second major milestone of the cadet program and according to national headquarters, only 15% of cadets obtain this achievement.