In addition to the Spaatz Award, Ms. Klein has earned the Commander's Commendation with two bronze clasps and the Lifesaving Award. She has attended three National Cadet Special Activities, including the International Air Cadet Exchange where she traveled to New Zealand in 2007.

Colonel Klein joined Civil Air Patrol in 2003 and served as a member of the Stevens Point Composite Squadron before transferring to the Fox Cities Composite Squadron (Appleton, WI). A graduate of the Wisconsin Cadet Academy, Klein served on the Wisconsin Wing and Great Lakes Region Cadet Advisory Councils. Currently, Heidi is a member of the North Dakota Wing, and serves as the North Central Region's Primary Representative to the National Cadet Advisory Council.

In 2005, Ms Klein was nominated by Senator Herb Kohl to serve as a United States Senate Page in Washington D.C. Only 30 students nationwide are selected for this prestigious assignment. During her six-month stay in the nation's capitol, Klein taught Civil Air Patrol cadets attending the Civic Leadership Academy.

An active emergency services participant, Klein holds ratings as Air Operations Branch Director (AOBD) and Ground Branch Director. Most recently, Colonel Klein served as the AOBD for the North Dakota Wing's SAR EVAL and received a rating of "Excellent."

Always having a passion for flying, Klein received her Private Pilot certificate in 2005, and just recently received her Single and Multi Engine Commercial Instrument Pilot ratings. Following graduation, Klein's goal is to be a commercial airline pilot.

Klein encourages fellow cadets to take advantage of all the opportunities afforded by membership in CAP. She is also thankful for the encouragement and support from adult officers (senior members); in particular, Heidi credits Lt Col Jeffrey Thomas as her mentor. Cadet Colonel Klein is the daughter of Captain Christopher Klein, Wisconsin Wing and Great Lakes Region Supply Officer.

Milwaukee, WI - Twenty five CAP pilots from around the state joined 50 members from the general public in a flight safety clinic held at the CAP hanger on Timmerman Field (MWC) Saturday August 9, 2008. This was one of the first joint public/CAP clinics held in years, and was successful in bringing together a large group of pilots, all to enhance aviation safety. The clinic earned Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Wings credits for all that attended.

Andy Miller from the FAA along with Rob Hutson from General Mitchell International Airport's Air Traffic Control Center gave a presentation on runway safety that highlighted many upcoming changes and areas where general aviation pilots need to use caution to prevent runway incursions.

Craig Larson, a Master Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII) gave a compelling story about a new solo pilot whose propeller separated while in flight on one of his first times out alone. The successful outcome of this flight highlighted proper emergency procedures and continued training to always be aware of this risk.

Master CFI Capt Greg Gorak gave a humorous, yet serious look at the current events happening in aviation as technology continues to evolve and enhance cockpit safety.

Retired FAA inspector Capt Jimmy Szajkovics finished out the day with a look at how the G1000 cockpit provides both great help in the cockpit, while presenting a host of new pilot challenges to stay current with the new technology. Jimmy also looked at pilot strategy to prevent hanger rash, one of the most common causes of damage to CAP aircraft.

The next flight safety clinic is scheduled for April 18, 2009.

Milwaukee, WI - A new addition was made to the aircraft housed in the Timmerman CAP hangar. The Gippsland GA-8 Airvan has made its temporary nest there in preparation for the Wisconsin Wing evauated search and rescue exercise (SAR-Eval) this weekend.

The single engine, high-winged aircraft is one of 18 in CAP's posession and contains the Airborne Real-time Cueing Hyperspectral Enhanced Reconnaissance (ARCHER) system. With a length of 29 feet and a wingspan of more than 40 feet, it leaves little breathing room when packed in with the glass cockpit Cessna 182 and the Youth and Aviation Cessna 172. The CAP's historic Piper Cub known as "Li'l Poof" was moved to another hangar on field to make room for the Australian-made behemoth.

According to Maj Thomas Mescher, former Commander of Milwaukee Senior Support Squadron 10, the GA-8 will be primarily used in the August SAR-Eval, and will also collect air time in training crews to use the ARCHER and Satellite Digital Imaging System (SDIS). Proficiency flying is also a target for the squadron's pilots. "There are very few places in the state that can house the large aircraft. Milwaukee 10th Senior has the facility and many qualified pilots to fly the aircraft," said Mescher.

The GA-8 arrived at Timmerman in mid-July, and is expected to remain there until the end of August when it will be transfered elsewhere within Great Lakes Region.