ALABAMA WING

CIVIL AIR PATROL

NEWSLETTER January 2007

Col Mike Oakman Lt Col Dave Boswell

Commander Vice-Commander

Contents

Bessemer Presents Colors Bessemer Honor Guard

AL 123 at National for 65th celebration 2
Governor Riley declares CAP Week 2
Millbrook Mayor signs proclamation 2 The Bessemer Composite Squadron honor
Madison Mayor signs proclamation 3 guard presented the flags at the visitation of
Huntsville Mayor signs proclamation 4 the President of the United States. The
Bessemer Celebrates CAP birthday 4 president was at Hoover's Safety Center to
Huntsville Redstone hold
combined celebration 5
see the new E-85 pumping station that
SAREX/Guided Practice a success 6 supplies all of the Police Department's
Boaz Orientation Flights make NEWS 7 Tahoe's and other vehicles.
FTX Cycle report 8
Professional Development Weekends 9
Discussion Forum Announced 10
Flight Tracker System in Use 10
WMIRS and CAPF 108s 10
Chaplain 11
Inspector General 11
Safety 13
Cadet Competition 14
Wing Conference 2007 15
Cadet Program Changes 14
Recruiting and Retention 15
Glider Flights 15
Enterprise Grant to FTX 16
Emergency Services 16
Wreaths across America 17
President Bush with Mayor (Major) Tony
Public Affairs 18
Petelos and Governor Bob Riley, and security at
the back of the picture.

January 2007 1
 December 1-7th CAP Week

65th Birthday events from

around the State.
Elmore Autauga Squadron
On November 15, 2006 Governor Bob Riley
On 1 December AL 123 Elmore-Autauga signed a proclamation declaring the week of
Squadron was represented at the 65th December 1-7th as CAP Week in the state of
Birthday celebration of CAP at NHQ, Alabama. The proclamation will be framed
MXF. Lt. Col Ed Wilson, our Deputy and will hang at Wing Headquarters for all
Commander for Cadets, Capt Oliver Cork, to see.
C/A1C Wiley N. Rutland and C/A1C Dallas
J. Hernandez were in attendance for the Col Glenn Atwell, Lt. Col. Mel Keith, and
ceremony outside NHQ at the Aircraft Static Lt. Col. Harold Coghlan represented the
Display, where Col Hodgkins, the CAP- Wing at the signing ceremony held at the
USAF Commander gave a brief speech on Capitol Building.
CAP's achievements during the 65 years of
its existence.
Millbrook Declares CAP Week
Our cadets stood by the Col. throughout his
speech, as they were the only cadets in
attendance. All the guests then went inside December 4, 2006 at the AL 123 squadron
to the NHQ Conference room where a large, meeting Mayor Al Kelley presented a
beautifully decorated sheet cake proclamation to our Squadron for the 65th
commemorating CAP's 65th Birthday, and anniversary of CAP, and the contributions
several bowls of delicious punch made with that CAP and our squadron have made to the
lime sherbet and ginger ale were set up on nation and the local community.
the conference table for the guests to
partake.
The National Commander’s Commendation
Col. Hodgkins and Cadet Hernandez cut the Award was presented to the following
cake to the glare of popping flash bulbs, and members for their participation in the
a standing ovation for CAP. Katrina aftermath recovery.

Capt. Pamela Byford

Lt. Col Bruce E. Gearhart

January 2007 2
Capt. Amanda Anderson The parade route is approximately 1 1/2
Senior Officer Robert Byford miles from the formation point to the
Senior Officer Ashley Clarke intersection of Coosada Road, where the
Capt. Oliver A. Cork parade disbanded.
2 Lt. Bruce Yeager
C/CMSgt Chris Smithson

Along the way Lt. Col Wilson handed out

the newest version of the CAP recruiting
brochures to kids as well as adults. Several
veterans along the route snapped to
. attention, and rendered a salute as the flag
Lt. Col. Bruce Gearhart accepts the passed their point.
proclamation from Mayor Kelley
The cadets maintained cadence and did
proper cornering moves along the entire
On 2 Dec 06, our Senior Officers and cadets parade route, they presented an outstanding
reported to our squadron area at 1100 hrs to military image for CAP and our
prepare for the Millbrook City Annual Squadron. We disbanded at approximately
Christmas Parade. 1500 hrs, and returned to the Squadron area.
The members who participated were
C/A1c Wiley Rutland
C/A1c Dallas Hernandez Mayor Sandy Kirkindall signs
C/TSgt Matthew Womack proclamation
Lt Col Bruce E. Gearhart, Sq. Commander
Lt Col Ed Wilson, Dep. Commander for
Cadets
Capt. Oliver A. Cork, Admin/Personnel
Officer Vehicle Driver

The parade formed on the parking area near

the Millbrook sports complex, at 1200 hrs,
and started off at 1400 hrs. Our three cadets
dressed in blues, formed a color guard
carrying the American flag flanked by two
armed guards with white parade weapons.

January 2007 3
 Capt Dani Richards accepts proclamation
from Mayor Loretta Spencer on behalf of
the Huntsville and Redstone Squadrons.
Capt Dani Richards, 1Lt Anthony Beresford,
2Lt. Kim Miller and C/SSgt Travis Wilson
represented the Huntsville and Redstone
CAP squadrons at the signing ceremony at
City Hall.

Picture by Maj. Pat Mitcham Bessemer Celebrates 65th and

Awards Ceremony

Capt Dani Richard, Redstone Squadron The Bessemer Squadron AL-087 celebrated the
Commander, and Lt Anthony Beresford, Civil Air Patrol’s 65th Birthday. The party was
Huntsville Squadron Commander, held at Golden Corral in Hoover. The evening’s
represented the two squadrons in Madison events included awards, birthday celebration and
County as Mayor Sandy Kirkindall Christmas party. The awards earned by the
members are:
proclaimed Dec. 1-7, 2006 as Civil Air
Patrol Week. Lt. Kim Miller, PAO for
2 YEARS SERVICE
Redstone and Maj. Pat Mitcham, PAO for
Huntsville Squadron and Alabama Wing
5 Years Service
also attended. Cadet – Devin Adams
Cadet- Amos Elmore
Cadet – Jeremy Adams
Captain – Bo Andrews
Cadet – Cesar Diego
Mayor Loretta Spencer Signs 10 Years Service
Proclamation 1LT – Rosalind Fazel
Captain Paul Robuck
1LT – Tommy Gladney
Cadet – Cody Key
LtCol. – Walter Williams

Level 1 Graduates

Officer member – Warren DeMars

Officer member – Doug Rose

Major Jimmy Mitchell: Completion of Level III

and award of the Grover Loening award.

Standing, from left to right: 1Lt Anthony We would like to recognize our Officer
Beresford, Mayor Loretta Spencer and Capt members that have completed training and time
Dani Richards. Photo by 2LT Kim Miller in service requirements for advancement in rank.
Our recently promoted members are:

January 2007 4
Maj. Jimmy Mitchell birthday with a combined dinner at Redstone
1Lt. Jacob Meins Jacob is a recent transfer Officers Club. Col. Mike Oakman and Lt.
from the cadet program Col Dave Boswell attended and helped Capt
2Lt. John Pearson Dani Richard and Lt Anthony Beresford
2Lt. Dale Chambers
present awards to members of the
2Lt. Sheila Smiley
Squadrons.

Commander’s Commendations
Huntsville Squadron
Capt. Barry Roberts
Capt. Carl Foster
Lt. Jerry Tignor
Lt. Ian Johnston

Cadet Awards
Redstone Squadron

C/Capt Chester Kraft, Cadet Officer of the Year

C/CMSgt Garrett Bain, Cadet of the Year
Col Mike Oakman and Capt Glen Wilson and
C/SSgt Travis Wilson, Cadet NCO of the Year
The 65th birthday cake
C/A1C Victoria Beck, Cadet Airman of the Year

Lt. Glen Wilson assumed command of the

Bessemer Squadron on December 4, 2006.

Huntsville Squadron and Redstone

Squadron Combine for 65th
Anniversary Celebration

C/CMSgt Garrett Bain and Col. Mike Oakman

Photo by Lt Kim Miller

The two proclamations were displayed at the

dinner. The cities of Madison and
Huntsville declared CAP week in each city.

Harvey Plemmons and Gene Mitcham with Faye and

Carl Foster from the Huntsville Squadron.

Redstone Composite Squadron (AL 119)

and Huntsville Composite Squadron (AL
55) celebrated Civil Air Patrol’s 65th

January 2007 5
 Capt Dani Richard, Col Mike Oakman, and Air ops dispatched over 15 sorties and
Lt Anthony Beresford present the proclamations to ground teams were able to divide up into 4
the squadrons.
separate ground teams. Lt. Kay Barry and
Lt John Pearson cooked and served hotdogs
as our meal. The flights were entered in the
SAREX/Guided Practice
new WIMRS tracking system and projected
on a screen for everyone to see.
Bessemer Composite Squadron hosted the
Alabama Wings SAREX on November 18th
at the Bessemer CAP building.

Emergency Services used the new target at

the SAREX and recovered it for display at
CAP Aircraft at Bessemer Bessemer after the practice was ended.
The SAREX was well attended and is
believed to have set an Alabama Wing
Civil Air Patrol helps Boaz students
record with 129 members in attendance.
soar

By George Jones
The Sand Mountain Reporter

Published December 9, 2006 Reprinted with

permission. Original available at

January 2007 6
http://sandmountainreporter.com/story.lasso “The second leg of the mission is search and
?ewcd=476ef982903bf8f6 rescue,” Haney said. “We have 537
airplanes nationwide that belong to and are
Boaz Middle School is home to the first maintained by the Air Force, and flown by
Civil Air Patrol squadron in a middle school senior volunteers, like myself.
in Alabama, according to Boaz Assistant
Superintendent Randall Haney. “We fly 85 percent of the aerial search and
rescue missions in America.”
Haney, who initiated the Boaz program,
said, “I find it ironic we are the first middle CAP helped in the search-and-rescue effort
school in Alabama to have a CAP program after the most recent plane crash near Mount
when the national headquarters of the CAP Cheaha, Haney said.
is in Montgomery.
“That is our job, that is what we do as
“States all over the nation have middle volunteers,” he said.
school CAP programs, but for some reason
Alabama had never had anyone interested CAP also has a cadet program, Haney said.
enough to start a middle school program He noted the Air Force has about 30,000
previously.” cadets nationwide in CAP.

He encouraged principals of other local The students in the program, Haney

middle schools to start their own CAP believes, “represent the top 1 percent of
programs and offered his assistance. students in America. Not necessarily in
academics, but what they do have are good
Haney discussed the CAP program Dec. 2 academics, good behavior, good character,
while at the Albertville Airport with cadets and somewhat of a military mindset.”
waiting to take required flight related
training. Each cadet has to meet these standards, plus
they have to maintain a military sense of
“There are advantages for a middle school perspective as it relates to wearing a uniform
having a CAP program,” Haney said. “In and maintaining the Air Force’s grooming
addition to all the free curriculum available standards, Haney said.
through the Air Force program, that is
charted by Congress and funded by the Air The cadet program begins in the sixth grade
Force, the community benefits from the and continues through high school.
CAP’s three-fold mission.” Following high school, a student has the
option of becoming a senior volunteer
Among the missions are community member of the CAP, or transfer the cadet
aerospace education experience into a military career.

“That includes educating the community on “The cadet who completes the program
the necessity of aviation, and advantage of through high school has acquired the
having airports, such as we have here in equivalent experience of an Air Force-
Albertville,” Haney said. “Because we have enlisted person going through boot camp,”
an airport, we are getting those 500 jobs Haney said.
[from Aerospace Integration Corp.] with an
average salary of $60,000.” Boaz’s very first CAP cadet, Ryan Erskine,
will be attending a one-week winter

January 2007 7
encampment at Fort Benning, Ga., where he months, said, “It has changed me a lot. I am
will be taught, among other subjects, one of the leaders now. I want to be in the
military leadership skills. Air Force when I get older too.”

Haney attributes a cadet’s interest in a Her Air Force goal she said “Is to be in
military career to the military-type training search and rescue.”
associated with the CAP program.
Smith’s father, Larry, speaking of the
The military influence becomes evident program’s value, said; “The CAP’s program
when talking with a cadet, as they of discipline itself, which teaches children to
demonstrate a distinct respectful attitude in be respectful and honor their country, their
manner and speech, with “Yes, sir,” and peers, and develop a moral character, is a
“No, sir,” that sets them apart from other good thing.
students.
“Leadership is good for anyone, no matter
“How many kids out here on the street will where it comes from.”
you find being that respectful to an adult?”
Haney asked. Anyone interested in the CAP may contact
Haney at 593-7701.
The excellence of the cadets is one of the
reasons Haney believes the Air Force
maintains the program. They are aware of Copyright © 2006 Sand Mountain Reporter
the potential number of high-quality future
Air Force officers coming from the program. Thank you to George Jones who granted
permission to reprint his article.
Cadet Adam Smith, son of a retired 21-year
military veteran and a member of the
program for two years, said, “It has been a
learning experience that you cannot pass up. The Alabama Wing FTX Cycle
It has helped me to learn how to work on
aircraft.” Presses On Into the New Year
Justin Smith, 1st Lt, CAP FTX/PA
Smith’s experience has motivated him, he
said, toward the Air Force as a pilot. 01 DEC 2006

Erskine’s two-year experience has him Maxwell AFB, AL - As a new year

thinking about becoming an astronaut. approaches, the first part of the 2006-07
Alabama Wing Field Training Cycle draws
“Hopefully, maybe I’ll get there one day,” to a close. Thus far, the training activity has
he said. been one of the most successful to date, with
38 Basic, 14 Advanced students, and 5
At present he has another more down-to- Team Leader candidates volunteering one
earth career goal of becoming a commercial weekend of their time a month to take part
pilot.” in the course. Seven Alabama Wing
squadrons are represented by the students
With dark hair, and dark eyes peering from this year, including the Maxwell, Auburn,
beneath her camouflaged fatigue hat 13-year Chilton County, Birmingham 90, Clay
old Britney Sanchez, a cadet for two County, Pell City, Redstone, and Springville

January 2007 8
units. In addition, two other Wings and triangulation exercise covering an area of
National Headquarters are represented, Elmore County.
bringing a great diversity of past training
and experiences to this year’s course.

Maj. Michael Long, course director,

had this to say about this year’s course,
“Thus far, I’ve been very pleased with this
cycle; it’s good to see so many units take
advantage of this training. This cycle has
been more challenging than previous years,
as there is a lot happening in each school
during each event.” Maj. Joe Curry, the
program’s operations officer, added
“Students are getting through the tasks better In November, students had the
than we had expected. We still have some chance to show off what they have learned
work to do on decision making and personal through FTX training so far, when many
accountability, but that's what we're in participated in the SAR Exercise in
business for.” Bessemer, AL. The students were
impressive as they handled a difficult
scenario with great poise and
professionalism. The participation of many
FTX students and alumni contributed greatly
to the success of the exercise.
After taking a month off for the
holidays, the FTX cycle resumes the
weekend of January 19th. Areas of
instruction remaining before the activity
wraps up in April are search techniques and
theory, scene management, interviewing, air
to ground coordination, map reading, and
airfield searches. When the course finally
draws to a close on April 22nd, basic
students and team leader candidates who
successfully complete the entire course will
In the current training cycle, Basic be awarded the ratings of ground team
students have completed training in land member and leader, respectively, and earn
navigation, electronic direction finding, the right to proudly wear the corresponding
blood borne pathogens, natural hazards, and badges on their uniforms.
litter carry. Advanced students have done The FTX cycle also has received
more advanced work in navigation and other good news this month, when the
direction finding, and even took some time program received a $1000 grant by
in November to make livable natural Enterprise Rent A Car to buy medical
shelters. The team leader candidates have equipment and GPS units for the training
been busy as well, studying triangulation, program.
forms, and search theory. In addition, team For pictures and more information
leader candidates participated in a regarding the Alabama Wing Field Training
program, please visit www.alabamaftx.com .

January 2007 9
 login for the forum). Please keep in mind
that most parts of the forum are viewable by
Professional Development Weekend the public so let’s keep the discussion
professional and constructive.
The second of our Professional Lt. Ande Boyer, ALWG Webmaster
Development Weekends (PDW) has been
scheduled for the weekend of February 17- Flight Tracking System
18, 2007 by AL090 Squadron Commander .
Capt. Lisa Robinson, who will host the As of 1 Jan, all flights made in Alabama
school. The school will offer the SLS Wing aircraft should be logged in the online
and CLC. If there is a need, the UCC and Alabama Wing Flight Tracking System. Use
TLC will also be offered. of this system has been mandated by the
Wing Commander and will also be
More information will be forthcoming on mandated by the next revision of the
the school, but reservations will be required appropriate supplement.
by Jan 25th to reserve a slot in the school.
A practice/demo version of this system has
This school is in addition to the PDW that been up at
will be conducted in Montgomery on the http://redstone119.alwg.cap.gov/alwgFlight
preceding weekend. It is my goal to provide Tracker/flightTracker.php for the last
this training at locations as close as possible couple of months. I hope everyone
to the members, to help avoid travel and whoever might have anything to do with
lodging costs to the members. The success wing aircraft has had a chance to 'test
or failure of this experiment will determine drive' and learn how to use this system.
future scheduling of this type of training. A The live version is located on the wing web
school will be held in the south part of the page, http://www.alwg.cap.gov, under menu
state, probably in Northwest Florida in section "Ops & Emergency Services | Flight
conjunction and cooperation with our sister Tracker". A formalized manual for using the
squadrons in the northwest part of the system is posted just under the link which
Florida wing, later in the spring. Details will opens the system. For accountability
be forthcoming as soon as they are available. reasons, users must first login to the wing
Lt. Col. David Spivey, ALWG, DPD website before access is granted to the
AFTS. If you do not yet have an account,
Discussion Forum click on "Account Setup" and enter your
CAPID. An activation email will be sent to
As a means of improving intrawing the primary email address you have on file
communications, we've also posted an in MIMS.
online discussion forum on the wing web
page. It can be accessed under menu section This tool is a great asset to the wing and
"Headquarters | Discussion Forum" or hopefully everyone will find it easy to use.
directly at http://www.alwg.cap.gov/forum. Hopefully, through use of this
system, aircraft flight time reporting errors
Since our mailing lists are intended for will completely be eliminated. Every pilot
announcement type messages only and not should incorporate entering the
general discussion, this forum is meant to flight information for their aircraft as a part
fill that gap. Please check it regularly and of their post flight procedures. While it is
participate...it's for you! (Due to technical not necessary to enter flight data after every
limitations, you'll have to create a separate

January 2007 10
single sortie, all times should be updated at
the end of the day at the latest. a. State Director monthly missions will be
approved by the State Director online and
mission numbers will be auto-generated. No
For Jan and Feb, we will be running this WMIRS request will be necessary for these
new system in parallel with the traditional missions. An e-mail will automatically be
Form 18. Our goal is to eliminate the paper sent to the Wing Commander, Vice
Form 18 beginning in March assuming the Commander, Director of Operations, ES
transition goes well. . Officer, Liaison Region and State Director
Lt Ande Boyer, ALWG Webmaster when these missions are approved. This will
include a monthly mission number for
reimbursed “A” missions like A6
14 December 2006 AFROTC flights, A15 cadet orientation
MEMORANDUM FOR NATIONAL flights, and A20 glider tow flights. It will
BOARD also include a monthly mission number for
SUBJECT: NEC Directed Action Item: nonreimbursed “B” missions like B9
New WMIRS Mission and CAPF 108 maintenance flights, B12 proficiency flights,
Requirements and B17 CAPF 5/91 flights. Sorties for these
1. The National Executive Committee missions must be reported in WMIRS but it
directed the following changes at the can be done after they are flown.
November meeting. These new requirements b. As stated above, cadet orientation flights
are necessary so CAP and Department of will get a mission number from WMIRS, but
Defense leaders can have a real-time picture the current reimbursement process will
of all the missions CAP is executing remain in effect until further notice.
nationwide and how our funds are being c. C8, C9, C16, C17, and C20 missions are
spent to support these missions. This letter an exception to the above rules. These
supplements the Air Force Assigned missions are required to be in WMIRS by 1
Mission policy letters dated 5 May 2006 and March 2007. NHQ is testing procedures for
7 December 2006 that were signed by Gen these flights with WMU/IMU and PLW, as
Pineda and Col Hodgkins. well as a user interface in WMIRS for
reporting.
2. By 1 January 2007, all missions, (except
those listed in para 2.c.) must be requested 3. By 1 January 2007, all original CAPF
and approved in WMIRS, and all sortie data 108s and modifications/corrections must be
including actual costs must be entered into completed in WMIRS for missions
WMIRS within 72 hours of completing a reimbursed by national headquarters, and
sortie unless the customer requires a shorter preferably for all missions so that CAP has a
turnaround. Data feeds and imports from consistent mechanism for mission
other systems are allowable, but must reimbursement. CAPR 173-3 will be
provide the data in the format updated to reflect this change. Data feeds
required by NHQ, and any imported data and imports will not be possible at this stage
will be required to go through the same as it is impossible to consistently audit the
process within WMIRS for validation and systems if data is imported after the
approval. For example, WMU/IMU is able validation and approval process for the
to “push” the sortie information into mission. However, data reported in WMIRS
WMIRS. WMIRS data is exportable to field will be exportable to allow wings to import
systems to allow for offline mission it into other systems as necessary so wings
processing.

January 2007 11
can use it to bill local customers for “C”
missions.

4. Commanders and command staff,

Director of Operations and Incident
Commanders should already have access to
WMIRS. Commanders (or designees) can
give access to other members to add/modify
whole missions, or just sorties. Members
automatically get “read only” access to
WMIRS. Chaplain’s Message
5. Commanders please disseminate this
information to your members and encourage Akin Calls Rescission of Military
them to start using the new features in Regulation a Victory for Chaplains
WMIRS now so they are ready when the and Freedom of Religion
new requirements become mandatory on 1
January. Online training is available via the Washington- Congressman Todd Akin
WMIRS website. CAPUSAF/XO will today said that a conference committee
provide detailed instructions separately to report on the National Defense
assist State Directors [sic] with the WMIRS Authorization Act of 2007 was a victory for
approval process for monthly missions. chaplains and the freedom of religion. The
House and the Senate agreed to strike
Please contact Terry Raymond or Norm current restrictive regulations in the Air
Ginther at the National Operations Center if Force and Navy which prevent chaplains
you have any additional questions. They can from praying according to their own faith
be reached at 888-211-1812, Ext 300 or and conscience in public venues.
opscenter@capnhq.gov. Thank you for you
support of this important project. It is critical Congressman Akin had added language to
that CAP leadership have a more timely and the National Defense Authorization Act of
accurate picture of all mission financial 2007 explicitly guaranteeing the right of
accounting and these new procedures will chaplains to pray according to their
ensure that happens. conscience. The language faced strong
opposition from some Senate conferees who
/signed/ tried to change the language to require
religious tolerance and sensitivity rather
JOHN A. SALVADOR than guarantee the First Amendment rights
DIRECTOR OF MISSIONS of chaplains.

"I am happy that we have taken a step

towards restoring the freedom that our
military chaplains ought to enjoy," said
Akin. "The Navy and Air Force regulations
that we are striking prevented chaplains
from praying according to their faith and
conscience, whether they were Muslim,
Christian, Jewish or of any other faith."

January 2007 12
"While I would have liked stronger language prepping your color guards and drill teams.
protecting the religious freedom of The winner of each category will represent
chaplains, this legislation is a first step the ALWG at the Region level.
forward in protecting the First Amendment
rights of chaplains and all the men and Be advised that NHQ has ratified the new
women serving our country in the military," National Cadet Competition Manual. This
said Akin. will replace ROE's used previously and will
govern the ALWG Competition as well.
Congressman Akin intends to again CAPM 52-4 can be found here:
introduce language which explicitly
guarantees a chaplain's right to pray http://level2.cap.gov/documents/M524.pdf
according to his conscience next year.
Information on NCC can be found here:
As most of you know, the CAP
chaplain must have the exact same http://level2.cap.gov/index.cfm?nodeID=53
qualifications as an active duty chaplain in 75
any of the Armed Forces. Therefore, what is
decided for the Air Force is decided for the JUSTIN D. SMITH, 1st Lt, CAP
CAP Chaplains. ALWG/DCP

Lt.Col. James Melancon, former National CAP

Chaplain, in a message forwarded to LtCol. Dan Wing Conference 2007
Hyde, ALWG Chaplain.

As we all know, CAP can get quite

expensive through the many activities it
The Wing IG Col Joey Owens can be offers. Normally, Wing Conferences are no
contacted at (cell) 256-312-3397, at his different. I would love to change that, and I
home number is 256-492-4762, or email need all the help from the Alabama Wing as
possible. If you know of any businesses,
jowens@gadsdenwater.org, companies, elected officials, etc, who you
believe would be willing to sponsor/donate
money to this event, PLEASE let me know
ASAP (/email me at
ChristopherTate@charter.net). The more
Safety sponsors we have, aka the more money we
The 2007 Safety Motto as announced by the have donated, the less YOU have to pay. So
SER Safety Officer Maj. Ernie Manzano is again, this is not just an Auburn Composite
Safety, It's an Attitude! Squadron deal, it is an Alabama Wing deal,
and I am asking for everyone's help to put
this on.

The 2007 ALWG Cadet We will soon be sending out registration

Competition packets and information out to the Wing.
You will notice that there is no price on
them, just an RSVP. The reasoning behind
The 2007 ALWG Cadet Competition is
this is that we want to give our sponsors as
tentatively scheduled for 28 January 2007 at
much time to donate money to us as
Auburn University. Now is the time to start
possible.

January 2007 13
 scoring the Cadet Physical Fitness Test.
Also, this Wing Conference will be a little Allows cadets to assist senior staff officers,
different that what we all are used to. Don't but prohibits commanders from assigning
be scared...I promise we won't bite...but cadets with the formal duties of senior staff
what I can promise is that it will be an event officers. Refers members to CAPR 51-1 for
to remember...not to miss. Drug Demand Reduction program guidance.
Introduces the Training Leaders of Cadets
I can promise the cadets that this Wing program. Relaxes requirements for
Conference will be one that they will enjoy completing part 1 of Required Staff
and get a lot out of. One reason I can Training. Establishes guidelines for cadet
promise that is because our cadets are 100% participation in obstacle courses. Introduces
in charge of their activities. Our Officers guidelines for personal conduct. Introduces
just observe. the CAP School Program. Allows overseas
cadets to advance in the Cadet Program
Senior Members, this too, will be a very through independent study. Clarifies how
informative and beneficial Conference for cadets are assigned to physical fitness
you. We have many people working categories, and clarifies procedures for
together to bring you the best classes and Category III and IV cadets when requesting
entertainment as possible. milestone awards other than the Spaatz
Award.
As far as the banquet, itself, goes...I'll have CHAPTER 2
to leave that to your imaginations for now. Allows units to use a spreadsheet or
database in lieu of a CAPF 66. Allows
To recap, please help us out with commanders to waive drill tests for cadets
information regarding sponsors. I would who have an injury or disability. Requires 2
love nothing more than to send an email out months (8 weeks) separation between each
to you all saying that the Conference is free achievement and milestone award except the
to attend! Also, please encourage everyone Spaatz; deletes the minimum time for
to attend, ESPECIALLY cadets. completing milestone awards that go beyond
Capt Christopher Tate, Commander AL113 the 60-day separation rule. Defines the
primary goals of each program element
during each Phase. Requires cadets to
complete an introductory module for
Cadet Program Changes moral leadership during Achievement 1.
Mandates use of the case studies found in
CAPP 265-2 during moral leadership
SUMMARY OF POLICY CHANGES forums. Simplifies the moral leadership
READER-FRIENDLY IMPROVEMENTS requirements, using active participation in
Office symbols, e-mail addresses, and one forum per achievement as the standard.
website addresses have been updated as Deletes requirement for cadets to serve as
necessary. This version also includes recorders and discussion leaders. Revises the
editorial changes made to improve Phase III and IV mentoring and instructing
readability, grammar, and how the requirements. Slightly modifies the scope
regulation is organized in general. and format of the Mitchell Award and
CHAPTER 1 Earhart Award exams. Revises the essay and
Defines the goals of each program element. speech topics for the Eaker Award exam.
Clarifies that the title of the leadership text Clarifies that CAP-USAF Reservists may
has been changed. Revises the method of administer the Spaatz Award exams. Limits

January 2007 14
to 30 days the time cadets may take issue March 20, 2007 with prizes to be awarded.
with the Spaatz Award exam or how it was The Announcement was made at the
administered to them. Explains that Spaatz Commanders Call at Maxwell AFB
Award exams are administered on-line. December 9 by Lt. Col. Johnny Ward,
Introduces CAPP 52-13. Introduces the Jack Alabama Wing Recruiting and Retention
Sorenson Cadet Programs Officer of the Officer.
Year Award and the Cadet Programs
Mission Award. Clarifies rules regarding The following prizes will be awarded at the
demotions and milestone award revocations. Alabama Wing Conference in late March.
CHAPTER 3 Officer (Senior Members) recruiting the
Allows commanders to appoint cadets to the most members (Cadets or Officers) a 20-21
CAC via e-mail. Clarifies that commanders inch TV/VCR/DVD, second place a small
may remove cadets from CAC due to poor TV/VCR/DVD. For the Cadet recruiting the
conduct. Introduces CAPP 52-19. Clarifies most members (Cadets or Officers) a $200
that squadrons have the option of appointing gift Certificate to Vanguard and second
a representative to the CAC or not. Place will be a $100 gift certificate. The
Squadron that recruits the most
CHAPTER 4 members will receive a 20-21”
Clarifies that cadets must complete an TV/VCR/DVD with the Second highest
encampment before attending a NCSA. recruiting Squadron a small TV/DVD/VCR
Revises the reporting and reimbursement (13”).
process for cadet orientation flights. Deletes
the requirement that cadets physically We want to encourage every member of the
possess a CAP ID card to fly. Allows drill Alabama Wing to try to recruit at least one
team, color guard, and honor guard cadets to member. It’s a member-get-a-member
wear distinctive shoulder cords. Defines the campaign. Send all paperwork in as usual
purpose of honor guards and introduces but please send a copy of the application to
CAPP 52-8. Clarifies the purpose and scope Lt. Col. Johnny Ward so he can keep the
of the IACE program. totals.
CHAPTER 5
Deletes references to national encampments. Send copies to Lt. Col. Johnny Ward, 115
Amends schedule requirements for weekend Havenwood Court, Birmingham AL,
encampments. Simplifies the process of 35209.
reporting encampments.
CHAPTER 6 All applications must be received no later
No substantive changes." than March 20 to count for this Membership
Campaign.
Quoted from the regulation by
Lt Justin Smith MEMBERSHIP RETENTION
ALWG/DCP
How do we retain our members? We will
loose some through attrition. Cadets grow
out of the program due to age, go off to
RECRUITING FOR FUN AND college, boys discover girls, girls discover
boys, etc. Officers (Senior Members) die,
PROFIT move away, just get bored, etc. We must
Do everything we can to keep our members
The Alabama Wing has launched a as long as we can.
recruiting drive from December 9, 2006 thru

January 2007 15
One way we can do this is by being an This can be another activity for your
active Squadron and keeping our members Squadron or Flight. The glider Cadet
involved. Every Officer should have an Orientation Flights are coordinated by Capt.
assignment and ask them to do certain things Bill McAbee, Glider Operations Officer,
for the unit. There must be activities for the Shelby County Squadron and he may be
Cadets…not just a meeting every week. reached at 334/281-0235 or
Field trips, Cadet Orientation Flights for bmcabee@aol.com. To assure that everyone
both power and gliders, campouts/survival that comes to the Flying X for flights gets to
training, attending Alabama Wing Activities fly, we will have to limit the number to eight
like Commanders Calls, Encampments, (8) per day. Overnight camping on the field
Practice Missions, etc. And don’t can be arranged but must be done in
forget…let’s have FUN. It is hard for advance. SOAR LIKE AN EAGLE!
someone to get out of an organization that
they enjoy. Keep everybody involved and
active…and have FUN. What are your
ideas?
Lt. Col. Johnny Ward, FTX Receives Grant from
ALWG, Recruiting and Retention
Enterprise for FTX

CADET ORIENTATION FLIGHTS- Maj Michael Long has been working on

GLIDERS getting some external funding for the FTX
program. They were awarded a $1000 grant
In the CAP Cadet Program every Cadet may from Enterprise Rent-A-Car Community
earn five power & five glider Orientation Giving program to buy medical kits, Search
Flights. So why aren’t we flying these and Rescue gear, and GPS units for the
Cadets? Saturday, December 16 six Cadets ground team Training Unit.
and two Officers from the Maxwell
Composite Squadron came up to the Flying
X Ranch Airfield in Shelby County. Every
Cadet and the two Officers received a glider
flight. While waiting to fly several of the
Cadets took a canoe out on the lake next to
the Flying X airfield. I think it would be
safe to say that everyone really enjoyed the
flying and the canoe rides.

Ms. Marie Otero from Enterprise Rent a Car

Foundation presented Col Mike Oakman
and Maj. Long with a check at the
December 9th Commander’s Call.

Emergency Services

January 2007 16
Working in coordination with the Alabama Clay County about ten miles from Talladega
State Troopers, the Department of in Alabama. The site was originally
Homeland Security, and the Sheriffs’ reported as in Talladega County, on
Departments in Talladega and Tallapoosa Wednesday, October 11, 2006.
Counties, the Alabama Wing, Civil Air
Patrol, conducted a search for an aircraft Air crews, searching the heavily wooded
reported overdue on a flight from Auburn, area, had been unable to see the aircraft, or
Alabama to Murfreesboro, Tennessee. electronically hear the Emergency Locator
Transmitter (ELT) on the aircraft, making
After the pilot J. Johnson, a student at the search difficult.
Middle Tennessee University, in
Murfreesboro, did not arrive in time for
classes, friends and family began a search.
The Alabama and Tennessee Wings were Wreaths across America
notified on Monday afternoon by the Air
Force Rescue Coordination Center
Across the United States, at every National
(AFRCC) to begin an active search mission
Cemetery six wreaths were laid at grave
to locate the aircraft on Monday, October 9,
sites in remembrance of those who have
2006.
given their all for the United States.
In Alabama, twenty-two air sorties were
From the Wreaths across America
flown in the two and one-half days of the
Website:
search, with ground teams dispatched to
http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.com/
eight different sites that needed closer
investigation. Fifty-seven Civil Air Patrol
volunteers spent 700 man hours in the
search, with other volunteers on stand-by.
Additional air and ground sorties were
conducted in Tennessee by members of the
Tennessee Wing.

“Our Mission: Remember - Honor - and

Teach

Remember the fallen;

Honor those who serve;

1Lt. Rick Swatloski, Capt. Ed Barnes, 1Lt. Teach our children the value of freedom.
Glenn Wilson were the SDIS aircrew which
took the picture after the site was identified. 2006 marked the 15th anniversary of holiday
wreaths being sent from the State of Maine
The wreckage was found about 3:00 pm by to Arlington National Cemetery.
friends of the family near Mt. Cheaha in

January 2007 17
Each year the folks at Worcester Wreath
Company make and decorate wreaths that
will adorn over 5000 headstones of our
Nation’s fallen heroes - in what has become
an annual event coordinated with the
Cemetery Administration and the Maine
State Society.”

Five thousand wreaths were delivered to

Arlington National Cemetery. Six wreaths
were delivered to each National Cemetery
across the nation. Civil Air Patrol was
asked lead in the ceremonies wherever
possible. Other interested groups in each
community also participated.
For Mobile, the ceremony was held at the
For Auburn, the ceremony was held at Fort Mobile National Cemetery. Mobile
Mitchell National Cemetery, located in Squadron, commanded by Major Meddie
Russell County near Fort Benning. Clark supported Wreaths across America.

. Television coverage and other media

covered the events in Alabama and across
the United States.

Capt Christopher Rousseau and Cadet Dale

Frost of the Russell County JROTC

Cadets from Mobile Squadron participated

in the wreath laying ceremony.
TFO Michael Plash laid the Navy wreath
with Lewis Wood, USN retired. Capt.
Christopher Tate, Auburn Squadron
Commander, in the background.

January 2007 18
 notes, squadron newsletters, articles written on
the back of dinner napkins, and so on.

Maj. Pat Mitcham

Alwg/DPA

Commander Lonnie L. Mixon USCG

(retired) placing wreath for Coast Guard at
Mobile.

Public Affairs

I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday

season, that your Christmas was Merry, and your
New Year’s celebration was to your liking. We
in CAP are working to make the New Year for
the Alabama Wing the best ever with all of the
activities planned by the Wing and the
Squadrons.

Be sure to send articles to National CAP on your

activities, with a copy to me for the PA files.
There is no SER PA at this time, so articles are
sent to National PA and to me.

With all good intentions, I had hoped to get this

out before Christmas, but that was not to be.
The next newsletter should be the beginning of
April 2007.

As always, if you want something in the

Newsletter, you must send it to me. I accept
email (photos separate from text), postcards,

January 2007 19