Always Vigilant

CTWG: Connecticut Civil Air Patrol cadets view reenactment of WWI Flight

2010-10-12T10:46:00.001-04:00

Red Hook (NY) – October 10, 2010 - Five Connecticut Civil Air Patrol squadrons converged on a small grass air strip known as Olde Rhinebeck Aerodrome, where an air battle was about to engage.

Fifty Connecticut cadets representing six squadrons from the Connecticut Wing and the towns of Stratford, Meriden, Thames River, Oxford, Hartford, East Granby, Granby, Simsbury and Enfield, accompanied their senior officers had come to learn more about the early years of aviation. The Olde Rhinebeck Airdrome is one of the last true “living” museums representing the era of early flight from 1900 to 1935.

The event included a vintage air show culminating in the recreation of a memorable dog fight between Sir Percy Goodfellow, flying a 1917 Spad and the Black Baron flying a red 1917 Fokker Tri-plane. While both planes were reproductions of the originals, they more than captured the spirit of the time. Additionally, a 1909 Bieriot XI, the oldest flying aircraft in the United States and the second oldest flying aircraft in the world took wing. The cadets also toured the museum buildings and hangers filled with vintage airplanes, motorcycles and automobiles. As a special treat, the Rhinebeck staff allowed the cadets behind the ropes to get a close up look at the historic aircraft.

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U. S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with 59,000 members nationwide. CAP’s senior and cadet members perform 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and saves an average of 80 lives per year. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counter-drug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the nearly 24,000 young people currently participating in CAP cadet programs. CAP has been performing missions for America for more than 69 years. For more information on CAP, visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com, or the Connecticut Wing at www.ctwg.cap.gov.

The information for this article was provided by CAP Major Art Dammers, the Connecticut Wing’s Internal Aerospace Education Officer.

CTWG: 399th Awards, 19 October

2010-10-12T10:44:00.000-04:00

The Danbury 399th Composite Squadron will be holding an awards ceremony on 19 October.

Special guests and dignitaries will include, State Senator Mike McLachlan, State Representative Jan Giegler, Selectman Susan Chapman and Maj Dan Carter USAFR who is the USAF Academy Liaison Officer as well as Col Cassandra Huchko CTWG Commander, Maj John Lesick CTWG Director of Cadet Programs.

Morale: A Tribute to Sheep Dogs

2010-09-12T15:11:00.005-04:00

"Today is a day to be proud to be American"

Those words were shouted by Rick Rescorla as he herded 2700 people out of tower two, September 11, 2001.

"Men of Cornwall stop your dreaming
Can't you see their spear points gleaming?
See their warriors' pennants streaming
To this battlefield.
Men of Cornwall stand ye steady
It cannot be ever said ye
for the battle were not ready.
STAND AND NEVER YIELD!"
- "Men of Harlech"

This song was sung by Rick Rescorla in the Ia Drang Valley 1965 and in the stairway of WTC Tower 2 on September 11, 2001.

Rick was a British (Cypress and Rhodesia) and American (Viet Nam) war hero. He retired as a Colonel in 1990. Rescorla is the main characer in "We were soldiers once, and young as well as the movie "We were Soldiers".

CTWG: The passing of Charles R. Tennestedt Sr.

2010-09-09T18:52:00.007-04:00

An organizer of the Connecticut Civil Air Patrol wing dies in Florida (NOTF)

Charles Russell Tennstedt, 94, of Port Orange, Fla., died on Sept. 1.
Born June 1, 1916, he was the son of Wilhelmina (Kraetschmar) and Charles John Tennstedt.
A 1934 graduate of Rockville High School, his great enthusiasm was for aviation. He was issued his first pilot's license at the age of 18 and made his first solo was in a Kinner Powered Standard Trainer on Jan. 24, 1934. He became a flight inspector for the Connecticut Department of Aeronautics, and played a significant role in organizing the Connecticut Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP).
He worked for 34 years for Eastern Airlines as a captain, flight instructor, check airman/captain in DC-3 to L-1011 planes, flight standards manager, flight jet engineer, and air traffic control specialist. After retiring from Eastern, he was involved in general aviation aircraft sales in Danbury, Conn., and wrote articles about aviation for flying magazines.
In 1982, Charlie and his wife moved to Port Orange, Fla., where he was active in a range of community activities.
The Wright Brothers "Master Pilot" Award was presented to Tennstedt by the FAA on Dec. 16, 2006.
A celebration of his life is planned for October. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, Inc., c/o Debi Girard, P.O. Box 2000, Boys Ranch, FL 32064, or Hospice of Volusia/Flagler, 3800 Woodbriar Trail, Port Orange, FL 32129.

The following is from NER Historian, Col Fred Herbert;

Gill Robb Wilson started organizing the civil air patrol long before December 1941. Since he chaired the national aeronautic directors, he used that organization to enlist licensed pilots from across the nation and their aircraft. When the Office of Civil Defense established the Civil Air Patrol, Gill Robb Wilson had already drawn a national organization chart for the organization and had personnel assigned so they could “hit the ground running” on 1 December 1941.

Tennstedt, who worked with the Connecticut Director of Aeronautics (Lockhart) would have naturally been instrumental in organizing the Connecticut Wing. Lockhart became the first CTWG/CC --- this appointment was established prior to 1 December 1941.

Morale: British CSAR

2010-09-07T06:53:00.001-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACA8wJ6dRWM

CAP: Blast from the past #2

2010-09-06T13:08:00.001-04:00

CAP: Blast from the past

2010-09-06T12:51:00.000-04:00

NER: North East Region Conference

2010-09-06T12:39:00.001-04:00

CAP North East Region Conference

The 2010 Northeast Region Conference is scheduled for Friday 12 November thru Sunday 14 November 2010, at the Four Points by Sheraton in Leominster, MA, near Fitchburg Municipal Airport (Airport ID: FIT).

Hotel information, price and registration instructions may be found on the NER web site at http://ner.cap.gov

CTWG: 2010 Connecticut Wing Conference

2010-09-06T12:38:00.001-04:00

2010 Connecticut Wing Conference

Friday, 22 October, 2010 through Sunday 24 September, 2010
The Sheraton at Bradley International
Windsor Locks, CT

Saturday, 23 October
0700 Registration (please pre-register)
0900 General Assembly
1900 Awards Banquet

Please refer to the Flyer distributed on 2 September, 2010 for additional details.

CTWG: 2010 Col Howard E. Palmer Cadet Ball

2010-09-06T12:37:00.000-04:00

2010 Col Howard E. Palmer Cadet Ball

Friday, 22 October, 2010
1800-2200 (doors open at 1730)
Sheraton at Bradley International
Windsor Locks, CT

The presence of all Cadet Commanders and CAC Representatives is requested

Cost is $30 per person (no couple’s rate). All reservations are due by 30 September, 2010

Uniform of the Day
Male members - Semi formal preferred (white shirt under service dress, no name tag) / Class A / Class B
Male guest – Suit preferred / Shirt and tie.
Female members – Options: Floor length evening gown / Semi formal / Class A
Female guests – Floor length evening gown

For any questions contact
C/2nd Lt Alexis Wojtcuk
Cadet Ball Chairman

CTWG: Return to Olde Rhinebeck

2010-09-06T12:36:00.000-04:00

Return to Olde Rhinebeck Airdrome

The CTWG trip to Olde Rhinebeck (Red Hook, NY) has been scheduled.

10 October, 2010
Events time: 1000 – 1600 hrs
Driving time: Aprox. 2 hrs (73 miles)
Uniform of the Day: BDU
Cost: $2.00 per Cadet, $15.00 Seniors
Lunch: Will be obtained at the airdrome

Please contact Capt Art Dammers if your squadron would like to participate.

NER: NER Aerospace Education Officer Academy

2010-09-06T12:35:00.001-04:00

NER Aerospace Education Officer Academy

NOTE: THIS IS A SENIOR ONLY ACTIVITY. This activity is for all AERO ED Officers and Cadet Program Officers involved in AERO ED.

Additional info to be posted at http://ner.cap,gov/ae

22-24 October, 2010
USS Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum, NYC, NY
Registration is the evening of 21 October, 2010
Graduation is early Sunday afternoon 24 October, 2010

For information on the Intrepid: www.intrepidmuseum.org

Jacqui A. Sturgess, LtCol, CAP
Robert Reilly, Maj, CAP

CTWG: Hurricane Earl Press Release #3

2010-09-03T15:02:00.000-04:00

PRESS RELEASE

3 September, 2010
Connecticut Wing Headquarters, Civil Air Patrol
United States Air Force Auxiliary
Public Affairs Office
Middletown, CT 06457

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Civil Air Patrol helps FEMA Urban Search & Rescue Team members conduct pre-storm photographic assessments

September 3, 2010 (Middletown, CT) – Today, multiple Civil Air Patrol aircraft from the states of Connecticut, New York and Rhode Island flew ten sorties in support of pre-hurricane damage assessment missions.

These sorties allowed Federal Emergency Management Agency, Search & Rescue Team Leaders to get a good aerial view of many sensitive areas before Hurricane Earl arrives. The aircraft overflew Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Providence and Province Town as well as many other parts of Southern New England. The aircraft were manned by members from all three states and were under the direction of CAP Hurricane Earl Incident Commander, Maj Mike Heath from the Connecticut Wing.

The Civil Air Patrol, a multi-capability all volunteer organization is often tasked with storm related missions that include air and ground search and rescue, disaster center services, searching for stranded survivors, monitoring of evacuation routes, digital imagery assessments of storm related damage and critical infrastructure impacts as well as air and ground transportation of critical personnel, medicines, materials and supplies.

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U. S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with 59,000 members nationwide. CAP performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and saves an average of 80 lives per year. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counter-drug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the nearly 24,000 young people currently participating in CAP cadet programs. CAP has been performing missions for America for more than 69 years. For more information on CAP, visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com, or the Connecticut Wing at www.CTWG.cap.gov

Additional Connecticut Wing Press Releases will be released as conditions develop. The releases will be posted to the Connecticut Wing blog page, www.AlwaysVigilant.blogspot.com.

CTWG: Hurricane Earl Press Release #2

2010-09-02T17:08:00.001-04:00

PRESS RELEASE

2 September, 2010

Connecticut Wing Headquarters, Civil Air Patrol
United States Air Force Auxiliary
Public Affairs Office
Middletown, CT 06457

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Connecticut’s Civil Air Patrol positioned to assist Federal and State Authorities in Hurricane Earl disaster relief efforts

September 2, 2010 (Middletown, CT) – Connecticut’s Civil Air Patrol working in cooperation with the State’s Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security has pre-positioned its multi-purpose aircraft and have notified it’s staff and ground search & disaster services members they are now on call should State or Federal agencies request their assistance.

Over the coming days, Connecticut’s 700 volunteer members, located at 13 squadrons throughout the state will be on standby for deployment. Connecticut’s membership base consists of both adults and cadets age 12 to 20 trained for either air or ground search and rescue or disaster services operations.

The Civil Air Patrol, a multi-capability all volunteer organization is often tasked with storm related missions that include air and ground search and rescue, disaster center services, searching for stranded survivors, monitoring of evacuation routes, digital imagery assessments of storm related damage and critical infrastructure impacts as well as air and ground transportation of critical personnel, medicines, materials and supplies.

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U. S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with 59,000 members nationwide. CAP performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and saves an average of 80 lives per year. It’s volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counter-drug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the nearly 24,000 young people currently participating in CAP cadet programs. CAP has been performing missions for America for more than 69 years. For more information on CAP, visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com, or the Connecticut Wing at www.CTWG.cap.gov

Additional Connecticut Wing Press Releases will be released as conditions develop. The releases will be posted to the Connecticut Wing blog page, www.AlwaysVigilant.blogspot.com.

CTWG: Hurricane Earl Press Release #1

2010-09-01T16:55:00.000-04:00

Connecticut’s Civil Air Patrol members mobilize in advance for possible role in state wide hurricane disaster relief

August 31, 2010 (Middletown, CT) – This week, Connecticut’s Civil Air Patrol members began preparing for possible deployment should the North East Region Area Command, working in cooperation with the Federal and State Emergency Management Agencies (FEMA) and the 1st Air Force National Security Emergency Preparedness Agency (AFNSEP) activate them to support disaster relief missions related to Hurricane Earl. Earl is currently a category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 135 MPH and is located east of the Caribbean islands moving north east in the direction of the eastern seaboard. In at least one scenario, it is expected to brush by the North East by the end of this week.

Should repositioning of Connecticut’s CAP air and ground assets be required, Connecticut’s aircraft and ground rescue teams will prepare to stage outside of hurricane Earl’s path. Should they be activated, preparing these multi-purpose resources will ensure the fastest possible post-storm assistance by Connecticut Wing pilots, aircrew, ground search teams and leadership staff, all with critical personal knowledge of their local areas.

The Civil Air Patrol is a multi-capability organization, often tasked with storm related missions that include air and ground search and rescue, disaster center services, searching for stranded survivors, monitoring of evacuation routes, digital imagery assessments of storm related flooding and critical infrastructure impacts, transportation of critical personnel, medicines, materials and supplies.

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U. S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with 59,000 members nationwide. CAP performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and saves an average of 80 lives per year. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counter-drug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the nearly 24,000 young people currently participating in CAP cadet programs. CAP has been performing missions for America for more than 69 years. For more information on CAP, visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com, or the Connecticut Wing at www.ctwg.cap.gov.

Additional Connecticut Wing Press Releases will be released as conditions develop. If you have any questions, please contact the Public Affairs Office.

CTWG: Connecticut Civil Air Patrol Assists US Coast Guard in New Haven Harbor

2010-09-01T16:53:00.001-04:00

August 27, 2010, New Haven, CT - On Friday afternoon, a Connecticut Civil Air Patrol aircraft patrolling the Long Island Sound coastline for the CT Department of Emergency Management & Homeland Security picked up a radio distress call alerting them to a local vessel in distress.

An overturned 18 foot sailboat was drifting near the west end of New Haven Harbor's East Breakwater. A nearby boat reported adults and children in the water and one person holding onto the overturned hull. The CT CAP aircraft diverted from its original flight plan arriving on scene five minutes later. They orbited the vessel to assess the situation, while the victims received immediate assistance from helpful nearby boaters.

Responding to the distress call, USCG New Haven immediately dispatched a response boat. Communications problems prevented the USCG Shore Station from communicating directly with their response boat, so the Civil Air Patrol aircraft continued to orbit the area providing live reports of the situation until the USCG took charge of the rescue.

The CAP aircrew from the Thames River Composite Squadron (Groton, CT) included Capt Thomas Petry the Mission Pilot, LtCol Lawrence Kinch, Observer and Maj Stephen Rocketto the Scanner-Photographer.

This and many missions like it are funded by a grant from the Connecticut Department of Emergency Management Services and Homeland Security. Throughout the entire summer Connecticut’s volunteer members fly periodic patrols along Connecticut’s Long Island shore area. Whenever required, they assist the Coast Guard and other Connecticut agencies in search and rescue as well as infrastructure surveillance operations. This program is administered by the Connecticut Wing Liaison Officer, Major Jack Shapiro.

CTWG: Tie Breaker Wins Rocketry Competition for Stratford Eagles

2010-09-01T16:43:00.005-04:00

Story by Maj Steven Rocketto

Three Squadrons and 30 Cadets competed in the The 2010 competition for The Commander's Cup. The event went down to the wire. At the end of the official competition, The Stratford Eagles and Thames River Composite Squadron were tied at 13 points each.

In Novice Class competition, Cadet who had never entered the contest before were judged on the construction and finish of a standard kit built rocket. Cadets Riccio of the Eagles and Paquin of Thames River tied for honors and were awarded five points each. Cadet Fusco's entry from the New Haven Minutemen placed third for one point.

The "scratch built" Free Form competition required Cadets to construct a rocket from approved materials such as nose cones and body tubes but kits were not allowed. Laurels were garnered by Cadet Herzog with a model of a Tomahawk cruise missile for five more points for Thames River.

Stratford's Junk Yard Dog by Cadet Walker placed second and garnered three points. New Haven did not enter this event. Thames River took the lead ten to eight.

The Altitude Contest followed. The only restriction was that a standard engine supplied by the Wing must be used. Cadet Walker of Stratford sent his rocket up to 377 feet. New Haven's Fusco 289 feet which was equaled by Cadet Hall from Thames River. The scoring rules gave Stratford ten points and Thames River and New Haven eight points each.

The judges calculated the totals and found that that the Eagles and Thames River were tied at ten points each. A decision was made to use the second best scores from the Novice Class to break the time. The score sheets of Cadet Walker of Stratford and Cadet Daniels were pulled and compared. Each rocket was worth nineteen points based upon construction and finish. After averaging the judge's scores, Cadet Walker earned 14.75 points to Cadet Daniels 13.5 points to win the Commander's Cup.

The CTWG extends it thanks to Al Gloer and the members of CATO, the Connecticut amateur rocket club which has supported this event for the last three years, providing launch support and advice.

The judges were SM Decker, 2Lt Franco, 1Lt Fortes, Capt Petry, and Maj Rocketto.

CTWG: Connecticut’s Civil Air Patrol works with the US Coast Guard to protect Long Island Sound

2010-09-01T16:41:00.003-04:00

August 7, 2010 (Groton)– A Connecticut Wing patrol aircraft crewed by members from around the state was asked to locate a partially submerged vessel drifting that could become a hazard to other boaters in the Groton-New London area,
After a performing an area search, the air crew, Capt Leonard Kimball, Capt James W. Fearon, and 2Lt Donna E. Yount located the completely swamped vessel. The boat having previously been abandoned was drifting and invisible to other boaters traveling in Long Island Sound. After locating the target, they orbited the site until a Coast Guard patrol craft arrived. With a very good airborne sight picture, they safely guided the patrol craft to the swamped boat so they could take charge of the recovery.
This and many missions like it are funded by a grant from the Connecticut Department of Emergency Management Services and Homeland Security. Throughout the entire summer Connecticut’s volunteer members fly periodic patrols along Connecticut’s Long Island shore area. Whenever required, they assist the Coast Guard and other Connecticut agencies in search and rescue as well as infrastructure surveillance operations. This program is administered by the Connecticut Wing Liaison Officer, Major Jack Shapiro.

CTWG: The passing of CT & MN CAP Member Irvin Mitchell

2010-07-30T13:15:00.003-04:00

Irvin Mitchell, 76, died July 7, 2010, at St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth, Minn.

Mr. Mitchell grew up in Stamford and was a volunteer firefighter at the Belltown Fire Department for 19 years.

He served stateside in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Mr and Mrs (Lois) Mitchell belonged to the Civil Air Patrol in Connecticut and Minnesota for 16 years.

In addition to his wife of 44 years, Mr. Mitchell is survived two sons, David, of New Milford, and Douglas, and his wife, Amy, of Luck, Wis.; a grandson, Teran; and extended family and friends.

Memorials may be made to St. Luke's Foundation, 1000 East 1st St., Duluth, MN 55805-2297.

CTWG: Live Press Press Release for 2010 NER Exercise "Hurrican Hailey"

2010-07-30T13:04:00.003-04:00

LIVE PRESS RELEASE on NER Hurricane Exercise

30 July, 2010
Connecticut Wing Headquarters, Civil Air Patrol
United States Air Force Auxiliary
Public Affairs Office
Middletown, CT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Middletown, CT — Connecticut’s Civil Air Patrol participates in nine states hurricane disaster drill

Connecticut’s thirteen all volunteer Civil Air Patrol squadrons will combine to practice hurricane disaster response this weekend.

Connecticut’s CAP Incident Command Center, covering all of the state, is already actively engaged with the nine states North East Area Command Center, located on Long Island, New York.

In this simulation, CAP began watching the development of a simulated hurricane named “Hailey”, last week. As the simulated catastrophe level 4 hurricane approached the north east, they set into place plans to deploy. Throughout the drill, CAP will be testing many aspects of the region wide incident command system. Regional and state command centers will be activated and Air Crew and Ground Teams will be deployed.

To attain a realistic feel, some aspects of the drill will be pre-scheduled and others will come as a complete surprise. This will require the Connecticut Incident Commander, Major Philip Hirons of the Connecticut Wing and the various forces in the field to adapt to ever changing circumstances, preparing CAP for any future real life events.

The Civil Air Patrol is a multi-capability organization. Some storm related missions they may undertake include, but are not be limited to, air and ground search and rescue, disaster center services, searching for stranded survivors, monitoring of evacuation routes, digital imagery assessments of storm related flooding and critical infrastructure impacts, transportation of critical personnel, materials and supplies, and location of safe landing zones for other rescue aircraft.

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U. S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with 59,000 members nationwide. CAP performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and saves an average of 80 lives per year. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counter-drug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the nearly 24,000 young people currently participating in CAP cadet programs. CAP has been performing missions for America for more than 69 years. For more information on CAP, visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com, or the Connecticut Wing and it’s over 700 members, at www.ctwg.cap.gov.

THIS IS ONLY AN EXERCISE

Robert Johnson
Public Affairs Officer/Exercise PIO
CT Wing Headquarters
Middletown, CT
Civil Air Patrol – USAF Auxiliary

CAP: CBS News Gulf Report

2010-07-28T21:12:00.001-04:00

Aero: NE Space Museum, Space & Aviation Day

2010-07-24T08:17:00.001-04:00

I would like to inform you about this year’s Space and Aviation Day coming up on Saturday, August 14, from 9:00 to 4:00.

This is a free annual family event with proceeds from food sales, the road race, and donations going directly to the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Ashford, CT. It is a fun family day with unique opportunities to partake in activities at the CT Air National Guard, the New England Air Museum, and the CT Fire Academy. More information can be found at www.spaceandaviationday.org or the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp website www.holeinthewallgang.org under Support an event hosted by other organizations.

Come and enjoy!

Caroline d'Otreppe
Director of Educational Programs
New England Air Museum
(860) 623-3305 ext.13

CTWG: Paul E. Garber Award at CTWG HQ

2010-07-22T09:14:00.002-04:00

Attached is a picture of Maj John Lesick receiving his Paul E. Garber award on 21 July 2010 at the Wing staff call, Connecticut Wing Headquarters. The award was presented to Maj Lesick by Lt Col Tony Vallillo, Chief of Staff, Connecticut Wing.

Photo by Maj Christopher J Kelling

CTWG: Passing of Lt Col Irvin Mitchell

2010-07-11T08:00:00.002-04:00

It is with sad news that I inform you of the passing of Lt Col Irvin Mitchell. Lt Col Mitchell was our Wing PA during the command of Colonel Sturges. Lt Col Irvin Mitchell and his wife, Lt Col Lois Mitchell, were with CAP and the CTWG for many years.

Thank you.

Col Cassandra Huchko
CTWG CC

CTWG: 801st SARX

2010-06-07T07:01:00.005-04:00

New Fairfield Citizen News

The New Fairfield Fire Department (NFFD) and the local Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Squadron conducted a joint Emergency Services exercise near Squantz Pond State Park, simulating the Search and Rescue techniques that would be used in the event of an aircraft crashing deep in the woods. This was the first joint CAP-Fire Department exercise in New Fairfield and gave the two organizations an opportunity to coordinate operations with each focusing on their area of expertise.

The Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) began with the simulated report of a distress signal emanating from the Candlewood Lake area that was reported to be from a missing single-engine aircraft with 3 passengers. Upon receiving the alert, a Civil Air Patrol aircraft was launched from the Danbury Municipal Airport to pinpoint the location of the crash using technologies in the aircraft that allow for a sophisticated search and the ability to locate at distress signal from a downed airplane. Captain John Freeman, a New Fairfield resident, was among the pilots that flew the four flights needed to conduct the search “from the air.”

Once the CAP aircraft had located the area of the simulated crash, the CAP Ground Team, using vehicle and handheld devices that tracked the distress signal, was able to locate the site of the crash deep in the woods. Upon securing the crash site, the CAP Ground Team notified the New Fairfield Fire Department (NFFD) which dispatched a fire truck, an ambulance and a customized Gator (ATV) to perform a deep woods medical evacuation. When the Fire Department (FD) got on scene, they found the victims, who were portrayed by CAP cadets, each with a different simulated injury. The Fire Department’s Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s) triaged and prepared the “casualties” for evacuation, starting with the most critical. The EMT’s transferred the patients to the Gator (ATV), which shuttled the patients through the woods to the ambulance that was waiting on the main road. It took less than twenty minutes to get all three “casualties” evacuated.

Both NFFD Company A Captain Mike Skelly and CAP Major Ken Chapman agreed that the Joint Search and Rescue exercise was a success. The exercise met its goal of demonstrating the capabilities of both the Civil Air Patrol and the local Fire Department to work together in a joint Emergency Services capacity in the event of a search and rescue situation that required aerial search/surveillance or that involved a distress signal emanating from an airplane, a boat or a missing hiker.

Submitted by Maj Ken Chapman
New Fairfield 801st Cadet Squadron, Commander

CTWG: Stratford Eagles at NER Cadet Comp

2010-06-02T19:44:00.003-04:00

As many of you know, our Color Guard (Stratford Eagles, CT022) performed this past Memorial Day weekend at the Northeast Region Cadet Competition at Westover ARB in Massachusetts. For the last three years, we have had the honor of representing the CT Wing at this event and this year was our best ever.

The Stratford cadets worked extremely hard, practicing week after week for 4 to 5 hours at a time. C/CMSgt. Sean Decker is the Color Guard Commander and did an outstanding job of leading the team with confidence and enthusiasm. C/TSgt. Michael Rak is second in command and was accompanied by C/SSgt. Liam Decker and C/SrA John Riccio on rifles. C/TSgt. Michael Purcell and C/A1c Esra Jensen were alternates and also participated in the Mile Run and the Written Exam, both of their scores were critical in winning 1st place in the Mile Run. I want to thank Major Burrows for accompanying us on the trip; we could not have been as successful without his help at practice and stepping in as an escort for the trip itself.

All of their hard work and dedication paid off, Chief Decker and his team took 1st place in the Mile Run, 2nd Place in the Indoor Practical and 3rd Place in the Outdoor Practical. These cadets spent a lot of time and energy preparing for this, and I could not be more proud of their results. Our Region Commander, Colonel Hayden was on hand to present these awards.

Also during this weekend, Colonel Brian Cooper of NER staff assisted us in promoting Cadet Riccio to rank of Senior Airman, Cadet S. Decker received his Goddard award and Cadet L. Decker received his first milestone award and was promoted to Staff Sergeant for the Wright Brothers award. Congratulations to all those promoted, you certainly earned it.

Capt. Ian M. Schermann
Deputy Commander for Cadets
Stratford Eagles Squadron - CTWG

Morale: Memorial Day

2010-05-31T19:24:00.003-04:00

Today, we honor those who choose to act in service to others before fulfilling the needs of self. Today, we remember those who fell and are reminded that those who have served and continue to serve have earned our respect.

Henry V

CTWG: Cadet turned Senior Gives High School Grad Presentation about Joining CAP

2010-05-28T18:00:00.006-04:00

SM Kyle Johnson & Lt Col Carl Stidsen, Project Mentor

SM Kyle Johnson, a Public Affairs Staff Assistant assigned to Connecticut Wing Headquarters, recently presented his capstone graduation project to the Town of Bolton. His professional level project had three simultaneous goals, document the process of becoming a CAP Senior Member Flight Officer, a Public Affairs Officer and work toward a rating as an Air Crew Mission Scanner. His project is substantially complete on all levels. His final presentation was regarded as highly successful by CAP members and Bolton natives alike.

Johnson joined the CT Wing as a 17 year old cadet, the only and possibly first cadet ever assigned to Wing staff. It was recognized, because of his advanced age (17 1/2) and the short September to May project time period his introduction to CAP and eventual development into a senior member Flight Officer would not fit into the normal cadet program. He was given a slot as a staff assistant in Public Affairs while the particulars were worked out.

To maximize available resources and meet the tight time frame, Wing PA proposed that his project be coupled with a conceptual school recruiting project developing a presentation that would target advanced age high school students. The target audience, the normally hard to reach students age 17-18 whom often do not have an interest in the cadet program due to their age. However, to graduate high school these students are required to perform some sort of community service and often have a strong personal interest in building up professional level experience for inclusion on college applications and future job resumes. PA framed the service before self concept into a single question, “If you have to do community service anyway, would you rather do it raking leaves or by being an active part of a 700 member team helping to watch over and protect 3.5 million of your neighbors, friends and family?”

The concept of tapping into a potential pool of “Professional Flight Officer Staff Assistants” was considered. This concept was aimed at attracting new members that would be available to CAP’s wing and squadron staffs, helping existing senior members get more done while minimizing the chances of “senior member burn out”. An additional point was considered, if new senior members were aggressively sought after in the 17-18 year age bracket, would this early indoctrination increase senior member retention over the longer term? All good questions to consider.

After receiving an OK to kick off the project (staying within regulations) from Connecticut Wing Commander, Col Cassandra Huchko, (then CT Wing Chief of Staff), Lt Col Carl Stidsen volunteered as the official project mentor. Lt Col Stidsen, a pilot and the CT Wing Inspector General carefully monitored cadet Johnson’s progression through the Curry Basics, taught him drill and after attaining age 18, Senior Member Level 1 and Mission Scanner basics.

At Wing Headquarters Johnson patiently waited for his 18th birthday while remaining ranked as a cadet basic. During this time he served as an “intern” and trained in basic PAO responsibilities. He actively wrote and blogged articles and practiced event and aerial photography. As a senior member, he continues to serve in this role today while he progresses toward full APAO status and completes his Mission Scanner training flights. He has completed Senior Member Level 1 and is waiting out his time in grade before promotion to SM Flight Officer. Of great importance to the overall success of his project, the entire CT Wing staff treated him as an adult and as a professional from day one on.

Assessing the possible long term outcomes of his project, SM Johnson believes that every late age high school student in America represents an enormous “senior member” marketing target for CAP. Simply put, everyone wins in a conceptual “Flight Officer Training” scenario. The trainees receive and surpass their required community service hours while they simultaneously build up real life, professional job experience targeted at their areas of career interest. The school gets credit for all the community service hours and will graduate students better prepared to engage new challenges. CAP takes advantage of a potentially massive pool of previously untapped work resources and encourages long term membership. Lastly, America benefits through the efforts of highly motivated young adults that understand the meaning and the responsibilities associated with concept of “Service before self”.

Addendum 1: Connecticut Department of Education (similar to 22 other states)

“The Capstone Experience is a culminating activity that provides a way for students to demonstrate the knowledge and skills they acquired during their secondary school years of education. It engages students in a project/experience that focuses on an interest, career path or academic pursuit that synthesizes classroom study and real world perspective. High school students are asked to demonstrate their ability to apply key knowledge and skills by planning, completing and presenting a culminating project linked to one or more area of personal interest and the individual's Student Success Plan.

The capstone experience may include an in-depth project, reflective portfolio, community service and/or internship. As part of the experience, the student will demonstrate research, communication and technology skills including additional relevant 21st century skills.

CTWG: Silver City O Flights

2010-05-18T06:23:00.003-04:00

Article to follow....

CTWG: Southington Awards Photos

2010-05-16T08:56:00.009-04:00

Some shots from Connecticut's Southington Squadron awards.

Morale: Its almost Airshow Season!

2010-05-08T09:30:00.001-04:00

CTWG: Past 169th Cadet Commander Deploys

2010-05-04T16:11:00.007-04:00

Former cadet commander of the 169th Composite Squadron, 1Lt Alison Gawlinski USAF has recently deployed to Iraq. Allison is a graduate of the U. S. Air Force Academy, class of 2007.

Attached are pictures are of her final training in Wyoming.

Post courtesy of Maj Chris Kelling, CTWG and her father, Edward Gawlinski

Curr Events: Real Car bomb in Times Square

2010-05-02T09:14:00.005-04:00

Recently we were all reminded by CAP we live in a target rich environment for terrorism. Reminder two... CBS video here...

Police said an SUV found parked on 45th Street was loaded with explosives, smoking and moments from blowing up when an alert t-shirt vendor noticed something wasn't right and alerted a mounted police officer.

That officer evacuated the block and called for reinforcements.

"We avoided what could have been a very deadly event," Mayor Bloomberg said.

"Firefighters, emergency service officers and the bomb squad responded and the bomb squad confirmed that the suspicious vehicle did indeed contain an explosive device," Bloomberg said.

Packed inside the dark green Nissan Pathfinder were three propane tanks, consumer-grade fireworks, two full five-gallon gasoline containers, two clocks, some electrical wire, and a metal gun locker.

The vehicle was abandoned with its engine on and hazard lights flashing, but police don't yet know who was driving it.

"We're in the process of identifying additional cameras which may have captured images of the vehicle and more important, people seen driving or leaving the vehicle," said NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly.

Police immediately shut down Times Square, canceled Broadway shows, evacuated the Marriott Marquis, and ushered thousands of people outside the barriers.

Bloomberg said the bomb scare is another reminder that New York is a terrorist target and everyone has to be vigilant.

"Message, New Yorkers, is what we've been saying for an awful long time. Terrorists around the world who feel threatened by the freedoms that we have in this country and want to take those freedoms away from us always focus on the symbol of those freedoms, and that is New York City," Bloomberg said.

Aero: Apache in Iraq

2010-04-26T18:44:00.004-04:00

A new friend of CTWG PA (adopted through Soldiers Angels) and past CAP 1Lt pilot from AZ sends these photos of life in Iraq as a Crew Chief on an Apache Longbow Crew.

Aero: Secret space plane blasts off

2010-04-22T21:49:00.002-04:00

The United States Air Force's secretive X-37B robotic space plane blasted off from Florida late Thursday on a mystery mission shrouded in secrecy for the U.S. military.

The unmanned military Orbital Test Vehicle 1 (OTV-1) – also known as the X-37B – lifted off at 7:52 p.m. EDT (2352 GMT) atop an Atlas 5 rocket on a mission that is expected to take months testing new spacecraft technologies.

The X-37B is a reusable robotic space plane built by Boeing Phantom Works. Its mission is being carried out under the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office with participation by NASA. More here....

Key objectives of the space plane's first flight include demonstration and validation of guidance, navigation and control systems – including a "do-it-itself" autonomous re-entry and landing at California's Vandenberg Air Force Base with neighboring Edwards Air Force Base as a backup.

The X-37B is the first vehicle since NASA's space shuttles with the ability to return experiments to Earth for further inspection and analysis, Air Force officials said. [X-37B spacecraft photos.]

Morale: Stratford Wings and Wheels

2010-04-16T17:07:00.002-04:00

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

Wings & Wheels

May 29 - 30, 2010 Vintage Aircraft and Collector Cars
May 31, 2010 "Memorial Day Classics" Collector Car Show

Food, Fun and Family Activities All Three Days!

SAFETY: Aviation accident rate declines in the U.S.

2010-04-14T09:56:00.001-04:00

Hat tip to NOTF.

With fewer people flying, the number of aviation accidents was down across the U.S., according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

The number of general aviation accidents in the U.S. declined 6% in 2009 to 1,474 accidents, compared to 1,566 the year before. However, the accident rate increased in 2009 to 7.20 per 100,000 flight hours, up from 6.86 in 2008.

USAF: New COIN aircraft around the services

2010-04-12T18:40:00.003-04:00

NAVY Version

An Embrauer EMB-314 Super Tucano used by the Navy for trials as part of the classified "Imminent Fury" program to develop tactical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platform to support Special Operations personnel

USAF Version

Earlier this week, Hawker Beechcraft tested a beefed up version of its venerable T-6 Trainer single prop it plans to compete in the LAAR fly-off expected this summer. Designated the AT-6, the two-seater features a new 1600 horse power Pratt & Whitney engine that will give the aircraft a larger weapons and electronic surveillance load out. Read more here...

CTWG: Mission Impossible - Find the EPIRB...

2010-04-11T16:50:00.006-04:00

Reporting and photos supplied by Maj Chris Kelling, CAP.

Not all missions are easy. In this case, the EPIRB recovery mission was exactly like looking for a needle in a haystack. The EPIRB from a recently scrapped boat was finally found after chasing a mysterious signal with both air and ground teams. Factors contributing to the complexity of the search included its location in an industrial area, inside a metal building and under tons of scrap.

Of note, we would like to issue a special thanks to the local workers who carefully used the excavator to dig through the scrap until the seniors and cadets could accomplish the recovery and silence the signal.

CTWG: Connecticut's 801st Cadet Squadron at the State Capital

2010-04-11T09:57:00.012-04:00

The New Fairfield cadets participating in this even included, Matthew Busse, Robert Byers, Michael Carneiro, Erica Cellamare, James Colella, James Coppola, Bettymarie Crea, Julianna Davis, Benjamin Dodds, James Froehlich, Joseph Gephart, Michael Hess, Anthony Iacovelli, Ashley Keenan, Chris Lucsky, Christopher Martin, Justin Menke, Jeffrey Plate, Ronald Poore, Daniel Schosser, Brian Wyckoff and Ryan Chapman.

Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell recently presented the General Ira C. Eaker Award to Cadet Ryan Chapman, a junior and commander of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) cadet program at New Fairfield High School. The General Ira C. Eaker Award, which denotes successful completion of all achievements of the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program, is one of the highest honors in the cadet program. The award was named in honor of the late Air Force General Ira C. Eaker, aviation pioneer, career military officer, and one of the chief architects and visionaries of the US Air Force. In conjunction with the award, Cadet Chapman was also promoted to the rank of Cadet Lieutenant Colonel, making him one of the highest ranking CAP cadets in the State of Connecticut.

Cadet Chapman joined CAP as a cadet when he was 13 years old and has been active in the program for the past 4 years. During this time, Chapman has earned numerous emergency services qualifications and has graduated from three Search and Rescue courses, including the team leader course. Chapman trained with the Air Force's elite Pararescuemen (PJs), Special Operations operatives trained to recover downed pilots in combat. Ryan has also earned his wings by graduating from the CAP Glider Academy where he learned to fly gliders. Cadet Chapman was elected as the primary Connecticut representative for the Northeast Region Cadet Advisory Council, a council of CAP cadets representing each state in the Northeast with the mandate of improving the cadet program.

Over the past year, Cadet Chapman was the Cadet Commander of not one squadron cadet program, but two cadet programs simultaneously. As the Cadet Commander of the 399th Composite Squadron (CT-042) at the Danbury Municipal Airport, Chapman’s leadership contributed to a doubling of active cadets in the squadron and the unit earning the Squadron of Merit for the best cadet program in Connecticut Wing for 2009. Cadet Chapman also led the 399th ground team that was credited with finding a distress signal emanating from a fishing vessel on Long Island Sound.

As the Cadet Commander of the 801st Cadet Squadron (CT-801) at New Fairfield High School, Cadet Chapman helped recruit the first cadre of cadets and establish the first school-based cadet program in the State of Connecticut. Although initially established as a flight in 2009, CT-801 has grown to 26 members and was chartered as a cadet squadron in January 2010 signifying the increased membership of the program. Cadet Chapman has been the key to getting this new school-based cadet program started and moving forward as all other members of CT-801, both cadets and teachers, were new CAP members in 2009 when the cadet program was formed.

Information & Photos supplied by Maj Ken Chapman, Commander New Fairfield High School's 801st Cadet Squadron, CAP

CTWG: New Fairfield Honored at the CT State Capital

2010-04-11T09:48:00.004-04:00

Maj Ken Chapman, Commander 801st Cadet Squadron, New Fairfield, CT

Hartford, CT: On April 7, the floor of the Connecticut House of Representatives was full of excitement as the cadets of New Fairfield High School were honored as the first school-based Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Cadet Program in the State of Connecticut. The cadets were welcomed to the State Capitol by Representative MaryAnn Carson, Representative Jan Giegler and Senator Mike McLachlan, all of whom are honorary members of Civil Air Patrol holding the rank of Major.

As the cadets stood at attention on the floor of the State House of Representatives, several Representatives gave accolades including Representative Graziani who stated that "these cadets are role models" and thanked the cadets for "giving both to their community and state" as members of Civil Air Patrol. The cadets received a standing round of applause from the entire House of Representatives.

The cadets were given the VIP treatment during their visit to the Capitol which included a tour of the Capitol Building, the opportunity to explore the Senate Chamber, discussions with their representatives and an awards ceremony with Governor Jodi Rell in her personal office.

The following cadets participated in the event: Robert Byers, Michael Carneiro, Erica Cellamare, James Colella, James Coppola, Bettymarie Crea, Julianna Davis, Benjamin Dodds, James Froehlich, Joseph Gephart, Michael Hess, Anthony Iacovelli, Ashley Keenan, Chris Lucsky, Christopher Martin, Justin Menke, Jeffrey Plate, Daniel Schosser, Brian Wyckoff and Ryan Chapman. Accompanying the cadets were Assistant Principal & CAP Captain Mike Chapleau, Assistant Principal & CAP Captain Scott Rohwedder, CAP Senior Member Chris Keenan, Vice Chairman of the Board of Education & CAP Major Ken Chapman, and New Fairfield Selectman Susan Chapman.

The Civil Air Patrol Cadet program at New Fairfield High School has been an overwhelming success with the program expected to double in size next year with over 40 students expressing interested in participating in the program for the 2010-2011 school year.

USAF: Cyber journalism, 30 Days in Afghanistan

2010-04-04T09:17:00.003-04:00

Two Airmen traveled Afghanistan for 30 days and video blogged the trip, day by day. For what is really going on, go here...

USAF: Air Force to launch robotic winged space plane

2010-04-03T20:45:00.004-04:00

LOS ANGELES – After a decade of development, the Air Force this month plans to launch a robotic spacecraft resembling a small space shuttle to conduct technology tests in orbit and then glide home to a California runway.

The ultimate purpose of the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle and details about the craft, which has been passed between several government agencies, however, remain a mystery as it is prepared for launch April 19 from Cape Canaveral,FL. More Here....

CTWG: Connecticut’s Civil Air Patrol Fly’s Missions to Test Disaster and Homeland Security Readiness

2010-04-02T17:03:00.006-04:00

The above aerial photos show properly performing infrastructure in the Barkhamstead area (top) and at the Stevenson Dam, Oxford, CT (bottom).

Photos by various volunteer CAP, CT Wing Air Crews

2 April, 2010 CONNECTICUT – Flooding damage across Connecticut is wide spread after the State received record rainfall this spring and specifically over the last few days. Ground water tables being saturated, high amounts of rain affected even normally dry areas resulting in wide spread flooding. Areas East of Hartford into Rhode Island were the hardest hit with roads and bridges undermined. Localized street and home basement flooding was widely reported

Launching multiple sorties today and yesterday, two Civil Air Patrol, Cessna 182 aircraft crewed with volunteer Pilots, Observers, Mission Scanners and Tactical Photographers from Connecticut Squadron’s tested out information gathering and dissemination techniques including tactical infrastructure photography. These images were transferred to CT Wing Headquarters-Operations, the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security here in Connecticut and to First Air Force at Tyndall Air Force Base, Panama City, Florida for analysis.

In this controlled simulation CAP air crews were looking for areas of strategic importance that may need immediate assistance as well as gathering general documentation for possible federal disaster assessments. The object of the test included examination of aerial photo resolution as well as the security and quality of various data transmission methodologies.

If air or ground forces were immediately needed, the 700 plus members of the all volunteer Connecticut senior and cadet squadrons stand ready to deploy 24/7/365. They are trained for search and rescue as well as disaster services and food and shelter assistance and can provide manual labor for emergency activities such as sand bagging.

The above simulated disaster services exercises were conducted as part of a grant by the Connecticut Department of Emergency Management Services, Homeland Security. The grant is administered by Major Jack Shapiro (CAP) serving as the tests Incident Commander.

CTWG: All Pilots Meeting

2010-03-30T17:54:00.008-04:00

27 March, 2010: The Connecticut Wing recently held an "All Pilots Meeting". Twenty five active pilots attended briefings on topics including Safety, Operations Procedures, WMIRS changes, Stan/Eval up-coming changes, the joint CAP/US Coast Guard Long Island Sound Patrol plan for 2010 and general discussion topics.

Also included were presentations from Jim Adams of the FAA district office at Windsor Locks, CAP Wing Communications (Major Chris Kelling), CAP Operations (Colonel Lloyd Sturges and Lt Mark Capen), CAP Safety (Lt Col Sandy Sanderson) and Standards/Eval (Lt Col and Wing Chief of Staff, Tony Vallillo).

Of special note, Major Keith Neilson (top), Lt Col Sandy Sanderson (top) and Major Bob Dodenhof (bottom) received certificates of appreciation from Jim Adams of the FAA for their longstanding support of the FAA Safety Program in Connecticut.

Special thanks to Lt Col Vallillo for the on site photography.

CTWG: Colonels and Generals

2010-03-30T17:49:00.002-04:00

A keeper shot of our new Connecticut Wing Commander, Col Cassandra Huchko and Civil Air Patrol's National Commander, Major General Amy Courter at the 2010 Massachusetts Wing Conference.

CTWG: Royal Charters Flag Retirement

2010-03-30T17:37:00.004-04:00

Some great photos of the OLD Hartford, CT Royal Charter Squadrons flag retirement and the raising of the NEW Royal Charter Composite Squadrons flag. Thanks to CT Wing APAO Donna Yount for the photos.

CTWG: Open Cockpit

2010-03-28T18:13:00.003-04:00

28 March, WVIT Ch 30 aired footage of a recent open Cockpit day at the New England Air Museum. CAP officers and cadets were in much of the footage. We'll see if we can get it...

Here is their summer schedule:

The Museum will provide 7 weeks of themed activities beginning in July.
July 5-9 discover Blimps and Balloons
July 12-16 fun Racing to the Finish Line
July 19-23 meet Heroes of Aviation
July 26-30 fly Rockets
August 2-6 learn about Helicopters and Rescue
August 9-13 uncover the secrets of Space
August 16-20 understand Airplane and Gliders
Everyday there will be activities and/or craft projects and on Friday of each week there will be a special 1 hour workshop to support the theme.

USAF: Above All

2010-03-26T19:14:00.000-04:00

Cadet: One for the guys and gals

2010-03-26T19:06:00.000-04:00

NER: Springfield Civil Air Patrol Glider Academy

2010-03-26T18:54:00.002-04:00

Spend the week soaring over the beautiful Vermont and New Hampshire countryside. Begin flight and ground school instruction for your glider pilot license. Make new friends! Enjoy cook-outs, volleyball, and computer games after a day of soaring.

DATE: July 12 to 16 or August 2 to 6.

COST: Preregistration by CAPF 31 is required at a minimum two weeks before the event. The cost for five nights, fourteen meals, instruction, and soaring fees is only $350.00. Transportation will be provided from Manchester, NH airport

For more information Contact Lt Col David Mikelson, Springfield Composite Squadron Commander

USAF: Jump

2010-03-26T06:46:00.001-04:00

As seen through a night-vision device, a U.S. Air Force airman prepares students during a jump mission as part of exercise Emerald Warrior near Fort Walton Beach, Fla., March 16, 2010. U.S. Special Operations Command personnel are conducting the 19-day training exercise, which provides troops with an opportunity to participate in realistic urban-warfare training scenarios at multiple sites along Florida's Gulf Coast. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Clay Lancaster. Hat tip Blackfive.net.

NER: Air Crew School

2010-03-25T06:37:00.003-04:00

To all CT Wing pilots (and please pass along to your squadron commanders for dissemination to potential scanners and observers as well)

PA has been tasked to host an aircrew school for the Region. They have a wonderful base NAS Willow Grove, NXX, billeting, and some of the best instructors east of the Ohio R.

All of our instructors are graduates of PAMAS or NESA MAS, a few have instructed or have been staff at NESA for over 7years.

What usually takes years to complete, can be done in one week, including check rides. Your Wing gets quality-qualified aircrewman. The cost is $100.00 per student, out of pocket.

For questions contact CTWG Chief of Staff, Lt Col Tony Vallillo

Astro: Mars like never seen before

2010-03-23T06:55:00.003-04:00

It looks like a filmmaker's apocalyptic vision of Earth following a devastating natural disaster. But this colossal ice formation is actually a portion of the wall terraces of a huge crater on Mars.

Approximately 37 miles in diameter, a section of the Mojave Crater in the planet's Xanthe Terra region has been digitally mapped by Nasa scientists.
The result is this digital terrain model that was generated from a stereo pair of images and offers a synthesized, oblique view of a 2.5-mile portion of the crater's wall terraces. More here...

DoD: Sec Gates notes contributions of military women

2010-03-21T09:41:00.001-04:00

From AF.mil

3/20/2010 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The nation depends upon women, both military and civilian, at all levels of the Defense Department, from the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan to the upper echelons of military command, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here March 19.

Secretary Gates traced the evolving role of women in the Defense Department, from the Revolutionary War through today, during remarks at the Pentagon's Women's History Month observance.

"For over 230 years, American women have served with distinction on the battlefield," he said, "even when they have had to do so in secret."

Secretary Gates cited the example of Deborah Sampson, who disguised herself as a man to enlist in the Revolutionary War and was wounded twice during battles with British forces. After the war, Miss Sampson was given a $4 annual pension, he said, noting that "a dollar went further in those days."

In World War II, more than 300,000 women volunteered for service, and about 1,000 Women Airforce Service Pilots, known as WASP, flew more than 60 million miles in nearly every type of aircraft and role, he said. These women, however, were denied benefits until 1977.

Earlier this month, the WASP were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for their wartime service, a "belated recognition of the debt that we owe these and many other patriotic women," Secretary Gates said.

Moving to the present, Secretary Gates noted the importance of women to the nation's current conflicts.

"Since 9/11, women have served everywhere and are critical to our war effort," he said.

Secretary Gates described the heroism of Army Spc. Monica Lin Brown. In 2007, Specialist Brown was serving as a medic in Afghanistan's Paktia province when her convoy was ambushed by insurgents. She braved mortar and small-arms fire to aid soldiers wounded by a homemade bomb. She is credited with saving the lives of five soldiers, he said, and was awarded the Silver Star for her selfless actions.

Secretary Gates also noted the contributions of women at the highest levels of military command.

"They are quietly leading large, diverse institutions with honor, integrity and skill," he said.

Secretary Gates said he had the privilege of promoting the U.S. military's first female four-star general, Army Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody, two years ago.

"General Dunwoody now leads the 66,000 men and women of Army Materiel Command, providing critical supplies and support to our military forces around the world," he said.

Secretary Gates praised the nation's civilian leaders as well. He noted that Michele Flournoy serves as undersecretary of defense for policy, and that Christine Fox is director of the Pentagon's cost assessment and program evaluation office.

"All of these women, and many here in this audience, have volunteered to serve our nation during times of great peril both past and present," the secretary said. "Their example teaches us to persevere in the face of adversity and also to realize that all Americans willing to serve can make magnificent contributions."

Following the secretary's remarks, Lt. Col. Nicole Malachowski, the first female member of the Air Force Thunderbirds, expressed her admiration for her predecessors in military aviation. She credits the WASP as the inspiration for her own career.

"These World War II vanguards moved everybody forward, unknowingly shaping the environment that I would inherit and generations of other women military aviators," she said.

"Countless military women like me are part of this vanguard, advancing, changing and shaping our environment," she continued. "We are the greatest military in the world because we combine our unique gifts, women and men alike."

She thanked her predecessors for teaching modern military women the valuable lesson that "women can love their country too and that many of us choose to show it by wearing our nation's uniform."

Morale: This is what we do. We are Americans.

2010-03-20T13:58:00.002-04:00

CTWG: CT Wing's New Commander gets a lot of press

2010-03-20T08:46:00.005-04:00

Women Rising in Civil Air Patrol This article was also given national distribution through the email newsletter "News of the Force", 20 March, 2010.

Plainville women named Civil Air Patrol Commander

Plainville native takes command of the Connecticut Wing

Morale: HALO with a bite

2010-03-19T06:46:00.003-04:00

The special forces of 14 countries conducted the big joint military exercise "Cold response" in minus 30 degrees in Narvik, Norway. The picture shows an Austrian special forces trooper training parachuting with dogs. Land, air and sea special forces participated in the exercise. More here...

Aero: Not the best of times if you want to go to the moon

2010-03-19T06:36:00.002-04:00

The Financial Times (FT.com), which often has outstanding intellegence is following the back to the moon story closely.

Three elderly American heroes have been touring US military bases in Europe and Asia this month, telling inspiring tales of space adventures that took place before most people in the audience were born.

But the Apollo astronauts – Neil Armstrong, Gene Cernan and Jim Lovell – were not just living on past glories. They looked at the future of manned space flight and lamented President Barack Obama’s decision last month to cancel the Constellation programme under which Nasa would have taken Americans back to the moon by 2020.

The astronauts’ intervention is part of a growing backlash against the plans of Mr Obama, who argues that the US cannot afford to build the Ares rockets and Orion crew vehicle that make up Constellation and needs a nimbler development programme led by private companies. His opponents, from both political parties, say the decision jeopardises national security, prestige and commercial interests at a time when other countries are boosting their own space programmes. More here...

CTWG: The 169ths C/Capt Choleva receives the Earhart

2010-03-16T18:47:00.005-04:00

Manchester CT: The Civil Air Patrol’s Earhart Award is one of the most prestigious awards a CAP cadet can achieve in the cadet program. Naturally, any award referring to a great American hero such as Amelia Earhart, the first female pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean is a landmark award for any aerospace education program.

The Earhart Award is attained by less than five percent of all CAP cadets. On the 9th of March, newly promoted Cadet Captain, Jeremy Choleva joined the ranks of those few.

Cadet Captain Choleva, a four year member of Manchester’s 169th Composite Squadron, earned his high school diploma through the home schooling program. He began his college education at the early age of sixteen. He is now a junior at Eastern Connecticut State University and is majoring in biology. According to his father, Jeremy’s goal oriented character is clear to see based upon his academic achievement and his rapid advancement in the CAP cadet program.

Also honoring Choleva, Connecticut State Representative and CAP member, Major Ted C. Graziani Chairman of the Select Committee on Veterans' Affairs presented him with a Citation from the State of Connecticut recounting his many accomplishments as a cadet. Additionally, Representative Graziani expressed his support for the Civil Air Patrol and spoke highly of its quality cadet and search and rescue programs as well as the dedicated service of all of its members.

Aero: Poland AF

2010-03-14T16:07:00.003-04:00

A news source got to visit this Polish airfiled recently. Here is a shot of the aircraft they saw at Bydgoszcz. No cameras allowed inside the base.

From top to bottom
SU-22
SU-22
MIG-23
MIG-21
PZL TS-11 Iskra Trainer (PZL Mielec)
Unknown
MIG-23
AN-2 Biplane transport (PZL Mielec)
MIG-17 (PZL Mielec)
SU-22

USAF: WASP

2010-03-14T16:03:00.002-04:00

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz greets Betty Hall Stohfus of Faribault, Minn., on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, March 10, 2010, before she and other members of the Women Airforce Service Pilots were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke) (Lauren Victoria Burke, AP / March 10, 2010)

WASHINGTON (AP) — They flew planes during World War II but weren't considered real military pilots. No flags were draped over their coffins when they died on duty. And when their service ended, they had to pay their own bus fare home.

These aviators — all women — got long-overdue recognition on Wednesday. They received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor given by Congress, in a ceremony on Capitol Hill.

About 200 women who served as Women Airforce Service Pilots, or WASPs, were on hand to receive the award. Now mostly in their late 80s and early 90s, some came in wheelchairs, many sported dark blue uniforms, and one, June Bent of Westboro, Mass., clutched a framed photograph of a comrade who had died.

As a military band played "The Star-Spangled Banner," one of the women who had been sitting in a wheelchair stood up and saluted through the entire song as a relative gently supported her back.

"Women Airforce Service Pilots, we are all your daughters; you taught us how to fly," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the first woman to serve as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. She said the pilots went unrecognized for too long, even though their service blazed a trail for other women in the U.S. military.

More here....

Morale: Good Guys

2010-03-13T16:52:00.002-05:00

Aero: Connie and more, much more...

2010-03-11T20:44:00.003-05:00

http://www.dhc-2.com/Monthan_Memories.html

CTWG: Spanning the Generations at Connecticut Wing Headquarters

2010-03-11T07:30:00.012-05:00

11 March, 2010 - Pictured above on the left is Kyle Johnson, CT Wing's sole Cadet presently transitioning into its newest, youngest Senior Member. He presently serves as an assistant on the Public Affairs Staff. To the right is Col Lloyd Sturges, Director of Wing Operations. Both share the same commitment of service to others, as well as the exact same birthday - TODAY!

Kyle turning 18, is a Senior at Bolton High School and will be attending Central Connecticut State University as an anthropology major in the fall. He will be following the PA specialty path and working on his Mission Scanner rating. Col Sturges is well.., simply the beating heart of the CT Operations Division. A past CT Wing Commander, he also serves as a guiding moral compass for our Seniors and can pull off one heck of a simulated heart attack at the annual Wing SAR EVAL. His other life hobbies include a strong interest in the study of genealogy. He is clearly known for his sincere dislike of the word "can't". Around the Col there is only one way to approach a new challenge, "Can do, Sir!".

Together, they embody the beginning of learning to serve as well as the richness of almost a half century of life yet to be experienced. CAP is a calling that truly spans the generations.

Current Events: This week in Military History

2010-03-10T06:10:00.002-05:00

Hat tip to Blackfive.net. The last one is related to the cactus on the 169th Composite Squadrons unit patch.

Mar. 8, 1965: The lead elements of 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines begin coming ashore at Da Nang, South Vietnam. Within hours, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines will arrive aboard transport aircraft at the nearby airbase. The Marines of 3/9 and 1/3 – both part of the 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade – are the first of America’s ground-combat forces destined for offensive operations against the enemy in Southeast Asia, once again putting teeth in the Marine Corps’ claim that it is “first to fight.”

Mar. 9, 1847: Thousands of American soldiers and a company-sized force of Marines (though referred to as a battalion) under the overall command of U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott and “Home Squadron” Commodore David E. Conner begin landing at Collado Beach, Mexico, just south of Vera Cruz.

In what will prove to be “a model” for future amphibious operations, the landings are unprecedented: The largest American amphibious operation to date, conducted in less than five hours without a single loss of life.

A portion of Conner’s dispatch to the Secretary of the Navy reads:

“Gen. Scott has now with him upwards of 11,000 men. At his request, I permitted the Marines of the squadron, under Capt. [Alvin] Edson, to join him, as a part of the 3rd Regiment of artillery. The general-in-chief landed this morning, and the army put itself in motion at an early hour, to form its lines around the city. There has been some distant firing of shot and shells from the town and castle upon the troops as they advanced, but without result.”

Though the landings are bloodless, grim fighting will continue in the Mexican-American War.

Aero: A little nose wheel photography

2010-03-09T07:01:00.002-05:00

Hat tip Neptunus Lex. Spectacular footage captured on a Contour HD helmet cam, secured to the the nose gear.

Current Events: American Al-Qaida Arrested

2010-03-07T17:05:00.002-05:00

UPDATE: And then again maybe not...more to come.

KARACHI, Pakistan – The American-born spokesman for al-Qaida has been arrested by Pakistani intelligence officers in the southern city of Karachi, two officers and a government official said Sunday as video emerged of him urging U.S. Muslims to attack their own country. More here....

Aero: ISS Interactive

2010-03-06T08:21:00.002-05:00

Hat tip to the AFA Blog. Here is a link to an interactive on the construction of the International Space Station.

http://i.usatoday.net/tech/graphics/iss_timeline/flash.htm

CTWG: Groton SARX Report

2010-03-06T08:09:00.003-05:00

The Thames River Composite Squadron held a major Search and Rescue Training Exercise 23 January. Crews participated in a wide range of activities designed to test the capabilities of the Squadron's Air Operations Team while simultaneously providing valuable aircrew training.

A total of six sorties were successively launched with no sortie start time deviating by more than three minutes from the planned time during the entire eight hour session.

The search missions were based upon two scenarios. The first postulated a missing aircraft on a Brainard Airport to Groton Airport flight and called for a Route Search. The second scenario involved was based upon a citizen's report of an aircraft crashing in the vicinity of an Old Lyme golf course.

A wide range of skills were practiced including Mission Planning, Communications, Flight Line Marshaling, Safety Assessments, and Operations Documentation.

The weather was most cooperative with light winds and unlimited visibility and ceiling..

Of special note, Lt Miller, ably assisted by Senior Member Scott Owens did a great job dealing with communications challenges.

Capt Paul Noniewicz and Lt Scott Farley were responsible for much of the pre-mission planning while Maj Keith Neilson served as "Air Boss" and directed the day's activities. Neilson, Farley, and Lt Col Wisehart served as Mission Pilots. Lt Cols Kinch and Doucette and Lts Miller and Manner flew as Mission Observers. Lts Charles Dickinson and Owens trained as Observers, and Lt Col Leif Bergey and SMs Robert Looney and Giancarlo Dell'Orco filled the Mission Scanner training slots.

Maj Rocketto, the Squadron Public Affairs Officer escorted New London Day reporter Megan Bard and photographer Sean Elliot. Both Day journalists flew on one of the missions. Interviews were conducted and a story appeared in The Day on Sunday, January 31st, accompanied by an on-line video story on The Day website.

Submitted by Maj Stephen Rocketto
Thames River PAO

Aero: Drones

2010-03-04T17:25:00.002-05:00

More here...

Safety: General Aviation Watch

2010-03-04T06:35:00.001-05:00

NOTF reports; Airport Watch program offers safety tips for general aviation airports

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have teamed up to provide safety tips as part of a joint Airport Watch program.

The program recommends pilots keep an eye out for suspicious behavior - including people forcing their way into aircraft or misusing aviation lingo - at all general aviation airports.

Morale: Gripe List Favorites

2010-03-03T19:26:00.004-05:00

Hat tip to Neptunus lex,

P = Pilot, S = Maintenance

P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.

P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.
S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.

P: Something loose in cockpit.
S: Something tightened in cockpit.

P: Dead bugs on windshield.
S: Live bugs on back-order.

P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200-feet-per-minute descent.
S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.

P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
S: Evidence removed.

P: DME volume unbelievably loud.
S: DME volume set to more believable level..

P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick..
S: That's what friction locks are for.

P: IFF inoperative in OFF mode.
S: IFF is always inoperative in OFF mode.

P: Suspected crack in windshield.
S: Suspect you're right.

P: Number 3 engine missing.
S: Engine found on right wing after brief search..

P: Aircraft handles funny. (I love this one!)
S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right and be serious.

P: Target radar hums.
S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.

P: Mouse in cockpit.
S: Cat installed.

And the best one for last

P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer.
S: Took hammer away from the midget.

Morale: Beyond the job

2010-02-28T14:24:00.005-05:00

U.S. Air Force Nurse, Lucy Lehker, comforts an 'unknown' Canadian soldier after he was badly wounded in Afghanistan.

Michael Yon brings to light the good that is done. Hat tip to Neptunus Lex.

Dear Michael Yon,

Today we were sent your story of February 14, 2010. The “unknown” Canadian is our son Danny. He is a 23-year-old soldier from Vancouver, Canada.

Your photographs were extraordinary and have impacted so many people here in Canada. There has been an outpouring of affection for the Americans who helped Danny in his moment of need. For that, we thank you for recording these acts of kindness into history.

Danny's injuries were the result of an explosion on February 12, 2010. Four Canadian soldiers were injured and tragically one Canadian soldier was killed. Within 20 minutes of the explosion, Danny was airlifted by helicopter to Kandahar. Upon arrival he received emergency surgery that saved his life and prepared him for the flight to Bagram that you were on.
After landing in Bagram, Danny was again airlifted by a US transport aircraft to the US Army run Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. There he underwent additional surgery that closed up his wounds. Once stabilized, the Canadian government dispatched a Challenger jet to bring him home. This afternoon in Vancouver, the shrapnel that did all the damage to him was finally removed. Danny is now recovering in hospital.

This was Danny's second tour of duty in Afghanistan and his platoon on this tour has had heavy causalities and injuries. Physically, Danny will overcome his injuries. He also has the support of his family, his friends and his community to deal with the emotional side of this war. Our hearts go out to those families who have had the loss of a soldier or who have had to deal with greater injuries.

Danny and his whole family are very grateful, and are actually overwhelmed, by the support he received while in US care. The Canadian military have also been wonderful. It is our intention to personally thank everyone who worked so hard to save Danny's life. We have already made contact with Major Deborah "Lucy" Lehker to thank her.

Sincerely,
Jim & Holly

Morale: Team Rubicon Readies for Chili Deployment

2010-02-28T14:18:00.003-05:00

UPDATE: Team Rubicon, or TR-A has assembled in Los Angeles, CA and is conducting final gear and administrative preparation for departure for Argentina. Please continue to send TR-A updates of the situation on the ground in Chile as things progress, this is a grassroots effort, and we need the TR Nation to be our eyes and ears while we prepare over the next 12 hours!! More here...

INITIAL POST: As you hopefully by now know, Chile has been rocked by a magnitude 8.7 earthquake off it’s coast. This earthquake is over 1000x more powerful than the one that struck Haiti over one month ago.

Initial reports from the Chilean government are casualties hovering near 200, however, communication is down with outlying villages and towns on the coast, and that toll is expected to rise sharply in the coming days.

Team Rubicon has assembled a 6 man recon element to fly into southern Chile to assess casualties near the coast, where large aid organizations will not concentrate their efforts. We expect bottlenecks to occur in Santiago, where the airport is shut down for 24 hours, and concentrated efforts to be focused on Concepcion. This leaves a critical gap in medical attention on the coastal towns.

Aero: Ekranoplane - Caspian, "Sea Monsters"

2010-02-28T08:35:00.002-05:00

Ground effect, that 10 feet or so of altitude that say "I really want to fly now!".

USAF: Aviation Camp Packets Due

2010-02-26T12:02:00.000-05:00

U.S. Air Force Youth Aviation Camp packets must be turned in by March 12. Youth will be required to submit their packets and schedule a interview date the week of March 16-18.
For more information and packets contact the Hill AFB, Utah, Youth Center.
The Air Force Teen Aviation Camp is a residential six-day program which provides youth a glimpse of what cadets attending the U.S. Air Force Academy experience. Activities include a stay in prep school dorms, high/low ropes course, a tour of the academy, flight simulators, and a Cessna flight.
An applicant must be:
- A dependent of active duty military assigned to or living on an Air Force installation, Air Force retired military, Air Force civilian employee, Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve who have been activated within the last 12 months.
- A high school student entering their sophomore or junior year in the fall of 2010 who is interested in aviation, leadership, or the U.S. Air Force Academy.
- Must not have participated in the 2009 camp held last year.
- Must demonstrate an application of leadership abilities and social maturity through involvement in school and community activities.
- Must demonstrate skills and achievements outside of the realm of science and academic pursuits, and,
- Must demonstrate a curiosity and an eagerness to explore many and varied topics. Per NOTF.

CTWG: Thames River Composite Squadron Change of Command

2010-02-24T14:28:00.003-05:00

23 February, 2010 - The command of the Thames River Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol, passed from Lt Col Lawrence W. Kinch to Capt Paul J. Noniewicz in a ceremony at Squadron Headquarters in Groton. In a longstanding tradition, Col Kinch passed the Squadron Guidon to Capt Noniewicz symbolizing the passing of authority and responsibility from one Officer to another.

As a teenager in the 1950s, Col Kinch served as a Civil Air Patrol Cadet, traveled to Chile on the cadet exchange program, attended the USAF Jet Orientation Program, and was one of only two Cadets to qualify as a Mission Observer. He joined the United States Air Force, trained as a Navigator and served in several variants of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules. His major military assignments included Instructor Navigator and Crew Lead with the 516th Tactical Airlift Wing at Dyess AFB, Texas and Executive Officer to the Commander of the 317th Tactical Airlift Wing at Pope AFB, North Carolina. While at Pope, he also helped develop and test the Air Force’s All Weather Aerial Delivery System.

During the Vietnam War, Col Kinch flew two combat tours over North and South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. During his 144 combat missions, he navigated C-130A "Blind Bat" flare ship and served as Attack Director in AC-130A Specter gunship. While assigned to gunships, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for locating and attacking the home base of a North Vietnamese regiment. Aside from the Distinguished Flying Cross, he also holds the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters, and a Distinguished Presidential Unit Citation with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Vietnam Service Medal with five Battle Stars, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon. Col Kinch retired from the Air Force as a Master Navigator.

Col Kinch rejoined CAP in 1998 and becoming Commander of Thames River Composite Squadron in August of 2005. While Commander, he focused on developing the Air Operations Team with the goal of deploying three fully trained crews during a single emergency. Upon retirement, he worked in the field of Human Resources with the Middletown City Government and at Yardney Technical Products in Pawcatuck, RI.

Col Kinch resides in Gales Ferry with his wife Sue and his four daughters, Beth, Laura, Meredith, and Amy.

Connecticut Wing Commander, Col Cassandra Huchko, presented Col Kinch with the Commander's Commendation Award and praised his command abilities as well as the progress the Squadron made under his leadership. Catherine L. Young, Manager of the Groton-New London Airport, read a testimonial from the Connecticut Department of Transportation honoring Col Kinch for his contributions to aviation safety and aerospace education. Additionally, Lt Edward Miller, on behalf of the Squadron, presented The Colonel with a scale model of the C-130 Specter gunship. The model was painted with the identification markings of one of the ships in which Kinch served.

The incoming Commander, Capt Noniewicz hails from central Connecticut and was raised in New Britain. As a boy, he watched airplanes take off and land at an airport near his grandmother's house, developing a strong interest in aviation from that moment on. He graduated from the University of Vermont in 1986 and went on to earn a Master's from Lehigh and an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is employed by Computer Sciences Corporation.

Capt Noniewicz has served as the Squadron Safety Officer and Maintenance Officer and currently holds the post of Operations Officer. He is a CAP Mission, Cadet Orientation, and Instrument
Rated Pilot. A significant highlight of his CAP career was flying multiple missions immediately after the 9/11 attack in which he served on a crew carrying medical supplies from Massachusetts to New York.

Captain Noniewicz resides in Lyme with his wife Jackie and daughter Lindsey.

Stephen M. Rocketto, Maj, CAP
Public Affairs Officer, Thames River Composite Squadron

Careers: Cyber Warfare and the USAF

2010-02-23T06:39:00.004-05:00

The below is extracted from the AFA Blog. This type of new program represents a real opportunity to attract additional youth to CAP, especially in the fields of engineering, computer and data design. Now, we just need a program and motivated teachers to front new flights. This is in all practicality a very critical, exciting and youth oriented career path - the cadets could, should lead the way.

Cyber Warfare
AFA members, Congressional staffers, Civic Leaders, DOCA members, a piece from the Atlantic caught my attention this week (thank you Jack for bringing it to my attention). It is by James Fallows. It starts out with an analysis of the Chinese military (with which I do not necessarily agree) – but most of the piece is about the cyber threat facing our nation. I think Mr. Fallows does a great job of summarizing this very difficult area.

From the piece: "When will China emerge as a military threat to the U.S.? In most respects the answer is: not anytime soon—China doesn’t even contemplate a time it might challenge America directly. But one significant threat already exists: cyberwar. Attacks—not just from China but from Russia and elsewhere—on America’s electronic networks cost millions of dollars and could in the extreme cause the collapse of financial life, the halt of most manufacturing systems, and the evaporation of all the data and knowledge stored on the Internet."

You can find a link to the piece at: http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/201003/china-cyber-war Secondly, as most of you know, AF Space Command is the command responsible for both space and cyberspace. Recently, AFSPACECOM published 10 principles for Cyber. The lead for the piece is the rise of the Cyber Wingman … and the first bullet states: “Every time we log onto the network, we are entering a contested domain where the threats and vulnerabilities are real.” Not only does the piece make you think, but it has the added value of being concise. You can find the piece on our website at: http://www.afa.org/EdOp/2010/edop_21210.asp.

Finally, it is clear the US military has to focus more on this domain. The AF has established a Cyber numbered Air Force. DOD has announced the stand-up of a Joint Cyber Command. The cyber domain affects almost everything we do. It is for this reason that AFA has begun a high school cyber competition. We have the finals of this competition in Orlando this week.

We are especially proud of this event – it is a project that is already having significant positive impact and helping to solve a critical national security problem. In a little over a year, CyberPatriot has grown from a concept to a national competition involving nearly 200 teams in 41 states (even a DoDDS high school in Japan). We believe it to be the largest such competition ever conducted, and next year it will double or triple in size. You can watch a short video describing the competition at: http://www.youtube.com/user/AirForceAssocHQ#p/a/u/0/bqfSLVGYTY8.

For your consideration.
Mike-AFA

CTWG: The New Commander of the CT Wing

2010-02-22T21:09:00.001-05:00

Civil Air Patrol’s Colonel Cassandra Huchko takes command of the Connecticut Wing

CTWG PRESS RELEASE

A Plainville, Connecticut native has been appointed Commander of the Connecticut Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). She is the third female in Connecticut to have earned this honor.

Then Lt Col. Cassandra Huchko of Plainville, was promoted to full Colonel and assumed command of the Connecticut Wing on February 21st during a formal ceremony presided over by fellow CAP officers including the North East Region Commander Colonel Christopher Hayden as well as a number of past Connecticut Wing Commanders. Over one hundred Connecticut Civil Air Patrol volunteers, senior members and cadets, as well as State Representative Elizabeth A. Boukus and Plainville Town officials were in attendance. The ceremony was held at the Robertson Airport in Plainville, CT.

"This Wing is and will be, all about teamwork.” and “The Wing staff is not going to be my staff, it’s your staff.", said Huchko, who works for Otis Elevator, part of United Technologies in Farmington, CT.

Huchko’s path to success in the organization had its challenges. Over two decades, she navigated and successfully performed the responsibilities of a Squadron Officer, Squadron Commander, Connecticut Wing Administrative Officer, Director of Administration & Personnel and most recently the demanding position of Wing Chief of Staff.

As Wing Commander, Huchko becomes the CAP Corporate Officer for Connecticut and will serve on the Civil Air Patrol’s National Board. Statewide, she is in charge of 13 squadrons including over 700 senior and cadet members. The Connecticut Wing currently operates five single-engine Cessna and Gippsland aircraft, a ground fleet of transport vans and a statewide rescue and emergency services communications network. Connecticut has a dynamic ground search and rescue capability and is one of the hardest flying wings in the nation, ranking fifth nationally and first in the North East in hours flown per aircraft.

For more information about the Connecticut Wing and CAP, go to www.CTWG.CAP.GOV.

Logistics: Why are logistics important?

2010-02-22T12:28:00.002-05:00

The Missing Link In Arab Armies
February 18, 2010: One of the reasons for the poor training, lethargic movement and poor combat capabilities of most Arab armies is logistics, or lack of same. Keeping the troops supplied is something Western armies take for granted, along with their ability to do it well. But Arab armies are still way behind their Western counterparts. American officers and NCOs come face-to-face with the differences when they are ordered to help Iraqi troops build an effective logistics system.

Three big problems were encountered. First, the Americans have, in the past two decades, computerized their supply system. The Iraqis can't adopt that, because they don't have enough computers, or people who know how to use them. Second, in the army, when there are computers available, officers grab them because they make great status symbols. Third, many Iraqi businesses use manual record keeping for their company logistics, but the pre-2003 Iraqi Army never even adopted a decent manual system.

The U.S. Army has sought out older NCOs (and retirees willing to go back to work) who had experience in the old American manual systems, and remember how it worked in practice, to implement these old school techniques for the Iraqis. Old manuals and forms are being sought out, translated into Arabic and distributed. But not fast enough, because the Iraqis need it now, and most of the American troops will be gone by the end of the year. American trainers will still be around, but the American military logistics system, which has been keeping the Iraqi forces going, will be gone. More here....

USAF: Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Speaks

2010-02-22T06:50:00.003-05:00

Chief master sergeant of the Air Force shares vision for enlisted Airmen

2/18/2010 - ORLANDO, Fla. (AFNS) -- The chief master sergeant of the Air Force discussed the outlook for enlisted Airmen during the Air Force Association's Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition Feb. 18 here.

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy spoke to several hundred Airmen and civilians about preserving and enhancing the all-volunteer force, one of the four priority objectives in the Quadrennial Defense Review.

"First and foremost we need to manage the operational tempo," Chief Roy said. "Specifically of those chronic critical (Air Force specialties) out there that are always tasked. Many would say, 'Chief that's kind of easy to point out. That's your (pararescuemen and joint terminal attack controller) kind of folks. But also on that list, and would surprise many folks, are contracting and civil engineering. More here....

Motivational: COD

2010-02-22T06:45:00.001-05:00

Carrier on board delivery...

Aero: Aero - sort of if you follow the physics!

2010-02-18T21:07:00.001-05:00

America's Cup congrats USA! Glad you kept your head!

History: Iwo Jima Photo Show

2010-02-18T06:48:00.002-05:00

A very good photo show from Iwo Jima, here...

WARNING: Graphic.

Aero: Air Tractor

2010-02-14T12:36:00.002-05:00

A former Marine Hornet driver knows of what he speaks.

It’s a shame the Air Force seemingly deferred a decision on COIN planes and a COIN wing or squadron or whatever Mike Vickers said they were going to outline in the QDR.

I would like to get the “real” cost of doing business with a Predator, when you factor in additional Sat’s, people, ground stations, etc…

Compares pretty badly to the the Air Tractor — $5-$6 mil fully decked out, 10 hours time on station — from the austere strip at the FOB (or Camp Belleau Wood if it were there today) with no transit time. Imagine the difference if LtCol Christmas was able to brief face to face with the pilot and forward observer who would fly cover over his battlespace — for 10 hours at a time — one crew, feeding targets and imagery to each Cobra, Harrier and Hornet coming in for close air support.

We had that kind of long duration, manned capability in Vietnam in the O-1 Bird Dog, the O-2 Mohawk and the OV-10 Bronco. About time we had it again.

Bottom line, is that no sensor today can give a pilot the same situational awareness when he is in a trailer north of Vegas looking at a few flat screen TV’s. For Airborne Forward Air Controller and Forward Observer duties a good man, with a lot of time on station, sensors and weapons can save dozens of lives.

Those grunts waiting for the balloon to go up in Marjah would like nothing more than a couple Spads and Spectres to give the bad guys holed up there a what for.

CTWG: 2010 Wing Conference

2010-02-14T12:27:00.001-05:00

The 2010 Connecticut Wing Conference will take place the weekend of October
22, 23, and 24th 2010. Location to be determined.

Lt. Col. Cassandra Huchko is looking for members to serve on the 2010 Conference
Committee. If you are interested in shaping our 2010 Conference, Please
contact her.

Lt. Col. Matthew Valleau
Acting Commander
Connecticut Wing

Aero: U2 Carrier Landing Trials

2010-02-14T12:25:00.001-05:00

Go here for more...

DoD: Marjah

2010-02-13T18:00:00.003-05:00

There is a kind of Army slang term called "pullin a Falujah" it refers to we are going to conquer this and there is nothing anyone against us can do to stop us...it aint easy and it will be costly but we will do it anyway... it covers the following;

MARJAH, Afghanistan — Bombs and booby traps slowed the advance of thousands of U.S. Marines and Afghan soldiers moving Saturday through the Taliban-controlled town of Marjah — NATO's most ambitious effort yet to break the militants' grip over their southern heartland.
NATO said it hoped to secure the area in days, set up a local government and rush in development aid in a first test of the new U.S. strategy for turning the tide of the eight-year war. The offensive is the largest since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan.

The Taliban appeared to have scattered in the face of overwhelming force, possibly waiting to regroup and stage attacks later to foil the alliance's plan to stabilize the area and expand Afghan government control in the volatile south. More here....

USAF: Flying the C-130J to BAF

2010-02-09T13:01:00.003-05:00

Michael Yon flys a C-130J to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Great photos and more here...

Kandahar, Afghanistan08 February 2010

American troops are spread widely across Afghanistan. Some are remote and accessibility is difficult. In 2008, I was with six soldiers in Zabul Province who didn’t even get mail for three months. They had no email. They were on the moon. Six courageous men, in the middle of nowhere, and their nearest backup was a small Special Forces team about five hours away. Resupply to these small outposts is crucial, difficult, and would require major effort by ground. Enter the United States Air Force.

Tonight’s mission was to fly from Kandahar Airfield (KAF) to Bagram Airfield (BAF), pick up specially rigged bundles of fuel and ammunition and parachute those to American forces up near the border of Turkmenistan...

Current Events: Black Hawk Down Revisited

2010-02-09T12:59:00.001-05:00

Showdown In Mogadishu
February 9, 2010:

The Transitional Government now has the upper hand in Mogadishu, and is attempting to drive al Shabaab gunmen from city. The government has been able to do this because of the several thousand soldiers trained in Djibouti, Burundi and Kenya. These men have been arriving back in the city over the past few weeks, and have, along with the AU peacekeepers, changed the balance of power.
The Islamic radicals have also been weakened by battles with other Islamic radical groups, and religious and clan militias organized for self-defense. Al Shabaab has tried to protect itself in the city by living in residential areas (and preventing the civilians from fleeing). That hasn't worked, and civilian casualties are higher as a result.
Back in the 1990s, the use of human shields worked a few times against peacekeepers (who got killed in large numbers as a result). But since then, the word has got around that you either kill the human shields, or get killed.
This stark choice is one thing that has kept Western peacekeepers from returning to Somalia, as Western politicians don't want to deal with this sort of nastiness. But al Shabaab is still pretty strong, particularly because they control the port of Kismayo (south of Mogadishu) which get sea and air shipments of weapons from Eritrea. Attempts to stop Eritrea (which denies everything) have failed, and the weapons keep coming. More here...

CTWG: CT CAP Profiled on line

2010-02-08T18:19:00.003-05:00

Flying with the Civil Air Patrol

By Megan Bard
For 68 years the national Civil Air Patrol, an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, has helped to find and rescue crews of downed aircraft, assisted local, state and federal agencies in drug investigations and supported non-combat homeland security...

Aero: Hudson River Recovery Ops

2010-02-07T07:41:00.001-05:00

Time lapse video of the Hudson River Airbus A320 recovery - interesting.
Here....

USAF: SPECTRE OPS BREAKOUT

2010-02-04T19:47:00.003-05:00

And then again...

Giving the DoD’s latest Quadrennial Defense Review a close look, it seems as if the Pentagon poobahs hashed out a juxtaposed message for the Boys in (sky) Blue.

On page 10 of the executive summary of the 2010 QDR, it says that the US air force will be able to take advantage of F-22s and JSFs for air dominance and still buzz around in retro planes like the Super Tucano or Air Tractor when “training” counterinsurgency forces.

U.S. air forces will become more survivable as large numbers of fifth-generation fighters join the force. Land-based and carrier-based aircraft will need greater average range, flexibility, and multimission versatility in order to deter and defeat adversaries that are fielding more potent anti-access capabilities. We will also enhance our air forces’ contributions to security force assistance operations by fielding within our broader inventory aircraft that are well-suited to training and advising partner air forces.

That seems like a big victory for the COIN Air Force Wing advocates, but we’ll see what the details are when the services give their breakouts today.

The QDR lays out more COIN-related aviation moves, including fielding two new Navy helicopter squadrons dedicated solely for special operations missions. One has to wonder whether those aviation assets will help answer the mail for those worried about a lack of dedicated aviation elements for MarSOF troops. And the fearsom Spectre will get a makeover as well, with the Air Force buying converting 16 C-130Js and phasing out older AC-130s for a net of 35 aircraft from 25.

USAF: Coin Aircraft

2010-02-04T19:43:00.003-05:00

Photo: Laos COIN OPs.

The Air Force looks as if it has punted the establishment of a COIN Wing (though we’ll see when the authorization process starts) based on its budget submission yesterday.

Air Force budget officials said the so-called “light attack aircraft” would not have any significant funding until the 2012 submission, where the service will allot $172 million for the so-called COIN plane.

The Air Force did, however, take a step toward a COIN wing by ordering up 15 Light Mobility Aircraft to the tune of nearly $66 million. According to a submission to FedBizOpps, the LiMA must be able to carry a minimum of six pax and crew, operate from “austere landing surfaces” and carry a minimum of 1800 pounds with crew. The plane needs a loading door that can take litters and a 36 inch warehouse skid and have two pilot stations but be able to be flown by one pilot.

The Air Force is budgeting for these planes in FY 2011 only. And part of the idea behind the plane is to help train other air forces during counterinsurgency operations.

The Light Mobility Aircraft (LiMA) program will acquire Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) aircraft to satisfy the USAF light mobility mission requirement. These aircraft will be suitable for building partner capacity (BPC) especially in lesser developed partner nations (PN). This program supports irregular warfare efforts that help prepare PN to defend and govern themselves by demonstrating an airlift capability that is consistent with their needs for supporting infrastructure, performance, anticipated methods of employment, acquisition and sustainment costs, and multi-role/multi-mission capability.

Aero: Robots in Space

2010-02-04T19:40:00.003-05:00

Slide show here...

NASA's humans-in-space program may be on hiatus following dramatic recent budget cuts, but the agency's robots-in-space program is alive and well.
In conjunction with manufacturing partner General Motors, the space agency has unveiled the latest generation robotic astronaut, dubbed Robonaut 2. NASA says that the robot is designed to work side by side with people; its leading edge control, sensor and vision technologies could assist astronauts during hazardous space missions. More here...

Current Events: Team Rubicon - The Final Update

2010-01-31T08:31:00.004-05:00

Saturday, January 30, 2010

TR Operations Cease in Haiti
Team Rubicon operations have ceased inside the nation of Haiti. The leadership within Rubicon has come to the conclusion that Team Rubicon has completed its mission of bridging the gap between the earthquake and large aid agency response.

As of 1900 hours local, TR2 began travelling back to the US, with a small contingent of volunteers remaining behind to continue working at CDTI Hospital (under no affiliation with Team Rubicon).

Organizations such as the UN and Red Cross have finally reached full speed in their logistics and medical employment; as such, Team Rubicon can no longer operate within the scope of its mission in Haiti. Food and water are being delivered, acute and traumatic injuries have been treated and hospitalized, and operating rooms are working at capacity. The continued employment of small, self-sustaining Team Rubicon elements is no longer a cost effective solution; our dollars spent per life saved will now exceed large NGOs for the first time since the earthquake.

Now that operations have ceased, Team Rubicon has much to do. We have determined to continue developing and perfecting our model of deploying small, rapid-response, autonomous medical teams into afflicted areas.

We want to do this the right way. As a result, we are going to grow slowly, without sacrificing our vision or our mission; and we hope that you will follow and support us on our journey. We want you, our donors and supporters, to feel like you have a vested interest in how we respond to disasters. We believe that running this organization with transparency will give you greater satisfaction as you support us with your hard earned money during future disasters.

Here is what you can expect from us in the coming weeks:

An OpEd published in a major US newspaper explaining our methodology and our results.
A case study submitted to Washington Think-Tanks with the aim of influencing large NGOs to adopt some of our concepts.
A thorough After Action Report, detailing what we did from start to finish, what went right, what went wrong, what we learned and how we are going to improve. We will publish this AAR on our website, and we will circulate it in a newsletter to you via email.
A professionally produced YouTube trailer from Third Story Films, and later, a full documentary. TSF and Team Rubicon have entered into a contractual agreement, whereby TSF will produce a documentary at no cost to TR, utilizing film shot by the team in Haiti. A revenue sharing agreement has been reached, and all revenue will be used to further develop Team Rubicon for future operations.
An organizational flow chart, detailing how we plan to develop, equip and staff Rubicon teams on both the East and West Coasts.
Additionally, as the new President of Team Rubicon, I feel a fiduciary obligation to offer you the following. Our donors pledged and donated their hard earned money to Team Rubicon to support our operation in Haiti. Many of you donated, thinking that it was just going to be myself, Jeff Lang, William McNulty and Craig Parello, and then watched in amazement as this organization grew beyond expectations. Because we have raised more money than we have used in Haiti, I would like to offer you the portion of your unused money back, in case you would like to redirect to an agency still working in Haiti. We feel that it is important for you to know that we will never waste nor misappropriate your money, and this is how we'll prove it (ever heard of an NGO, or the government for that matter, returning a budget surplus??). The details of how we will do this will be sent in a newsletter this week, and it will be optional.

That said, please know that we plan to grow. Haiti has been a learning ground from Day One, and we know that we are on to something. We WILL be among the first NGOs with boots on the ground in future disasters; and we will arrive better equipped, better trained and more experienced.

However, the one area we appear to have an NGO monopoly on, is that we will employ teams led by individuals who are intelligent, decisive and PRONE TO ACTION.

I hope you decide to continue following and supporting us on our journey as we seek to shift the paradigm in disaster response.

I will leave you with this, "If a disaster struck your city on a scale such as Port au Prince, who would you want to come save you in the initial 24 hours?"

-Jake Wood
President, Team Rubicon

CAP: OPS-Quals Shut Down on 1 February, 2010

2010-01-30T09:20:00.002-05:00

Operations-Qualifications v.2 Upgrade

The launch of Operations-Qualifications v.2 is scheduled for Tuesday, 2 February, 2010. The upgrade will consist of many new user-friendly features that will assist members on tracking their qualifications. Our thanks and appreciation go out to all who assisted with preliminary testing. In order to ensure enough time for the release, we will shut down OPS-Quals at 12:01am 1 February 2010. At that time no other operations in the systems will be possible. We recommend that you printout FRO Reports preceding February 1st. This will provide units a reference copy for qualified pilots in Ops-Quals. Please plan accordingly.

Notable new features include:

Look and feel updated with a more responsive user interface. Less screen refreshes.
Every member will have access to any member's information. If they do not have permissions to edit the information, it will be read-only.
You do not have to download the font for the 101 Card barcode to show.
You can now uploaded ES and Pilot documents.
If you hover over any item in OPS Quals it will provide you with information (i.e. who validated/approved it, date it was validated/approved, etc.).
Real-time FRO Support Report.

Thanks for your cooperation, CAP IT

Aero: Review of the iPAD as an Electronic Flight Bag

2010-01-29T11:44:00.002-05:00

From NeptunusLex.com

Electronic Flight Bag
The grotesquely named Apple iPad has great potential as an electronic flight bag, and may well end up a category killer for legacy equipment.

There are pdf applications for Amazon.com’s Kindle that allow assiduous aviators to download airport diagrams, departure procedures, arrivals and approach plates, but from everything I’ve heard the navigation is klunky, and the Kindle has a tendency to go dim on you, just when you’re over the middle marker.

Apple’s iPhone already has a couple of cool features just waiting to be ported over. On my phone I have Aero Weather, Flight Plan (with DUATS), AOPA’s Airports and Foreflight, as well as the well-intentioned but ultimately unusable WingX, which – theoretically – combines all of the other features with GPS terrain avoidance.

Which would almost be enough to get me flying at night again, if it weren’t for the fact that GPS service is sketchy and the CA mountains so very unyielding.

All of them are pretty good for different applications on the ground, but not quite the thing for dependable use in flight: The iPhone’s screen is too small for the presbyopic among us, it’s rather slippery when you’ve got one hand on the yoke (or stick) and the other on the throttle and the battery saver puts you in a do-loop when you least expect it.

Garmin’s top-of-the-line handheld/bolt-on is the GPSMAP 696 model, with weather, moving maps, approach procedures and terrain avoidance – but it retails for nearly $3000, while the iPad starts at $500. Which is, oh – wait: A whole lot less.

There’s no technical reason why the iPad – I really hate that name – can’t do all the tasks of an EFB while providing GPS tracking, live weather updates and terrain avoidance. Once you’ve landed on your cross country, you can email home, browse the web, read a book or work on your presentation. Which, just try that with your MX20.

Build it, developers. We will come.

Aero: F22ski

2010-01-29T11:43:00.000-05:00

Russia unveils top secret new fighter
(AFP) – 10 hours ago
MOSCOW — Russia on Friday unveiled a new fighter aircraft touted as a rival of the US F-22 stealth jet and developed amid the highest secrecy as part of a plan to modernize the armed forces.

The fifth generation fighter, manufactured by the Sukhoi company and known as the PAK FA, made a maiden flight of just over 45 minutes at the firm's home base of Komsomolsk-on-Amur in the Far East region.

"The flight lasted 47 minutes during which all the aircraft's systems were tested. It was successful," Sukhoi spokeswoman Olga Kayukova told AFP. "This is the first time it has been unveiled."

Pictures broadcast on state television showed the fighter jet -- which has been kept closely under wraps for years -- flying at altitude and then landing on a snow-surrounded runway.

"The aircraft performed well in all stages of the flight programme. It is easy and comfortable to pilot," said Sergei Bogdan, the pilot for the flight, in comments published on the Sukhoi website.

The new jet has the capability of carrying out long flights above the speed of sound as well as simultaneously attacking different targets.
Russia is currently embarking on a major programme to re-equip its military, not least the air force which is still using largely Soviet-era equipment and suffers from frequent crashes.

The new fighter, which has been in development since the 1990s, is due to enter the armed forces in 2015, Russian news agencies said.
The first flight of the PAK FA (Prospective Aviation System of Frontline Aviation) is being seen in Russia as a major boost for the military after the project was hit by repeated delays over the last years.

"There is no doubt that the plane is needed," the ex-commander of the Russian air force, Anatoly Kornukov, told the Interfax news agency.
"Our Su-27 and MiG-29 planes are good but have aged. They are 20 or more years old and it's time to have something as a replacement," he said.
He said the new plane could easily stand comparison with the US F-22, also a fifth generation stealth fighter.

"It's going to be no worse than an F-22. I've been in an F-22 and I know."
Russia's campaign to modernize its military has been marred by repeated setbacks with new equipment, above all a string of failed tests of its new Bulava sea-based intercontinental nuclear-capable missile.