Sept 2011 Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond 1ALABAMAWINGCIVILAIRPATROLNEWSLETTERSEPTEMBER2011Col.LisaRobinsonLt.Col.BradLynnCommander Vice‐Commander Contents Safety 2 Dothan Squadron 3 Gadsden Squadron 4 Spaatz Association Scholarship 4 Bessemer Squadron 5 Professional Development 6 South Baldwin County Squadron 7 Inspector General 8 Bentley Appointed to USAF Academy 9 SAR Eval Grade “Outstanding” 10 Ironman Competition Announcement 11 National Staf f College Applications Due 12 2011 Region Staff College 12 Wing Emergency Services School 13 Public Affairs 13
Sept 2011 Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond 1
ALABAMA WING
CIVIL AIR PATROL
NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2011
Col. Lisa Robinson Lt. Col. Brad Lynn
Commander Vice‐Commander
Contents
Safety 2Dothan Squadron 3Gadsden Squadron 4Spaatz Association Scholarship 4Bessemer Squadron 5Professional Development 6South Baldwin County Squadron 7Inspector General 8Bentley Appointed to USAF Academy 9SAR Eval Grade “Outstanding” 10Ironman Competition Announcement 11National Staff College Applications Due 122011 Region Staff College 12Wing Emergency Services School 13Public Affairs 13
Sept 2011 Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond 2
Safety and Disaster Planning
No one knows how or when a disaster will strike. But everyone should be prepared. A disasteris a sudden event that causes great harm to people and property. The disaster might be severeweather, such as a hurricane or a tornado. Or it might be a flood, an earthquake, or a volcano.Disasters can be caused by people too. A large fire might threaten an entire community.Chemicals might spill from a truck. A terrorist attack might threaten air, water, or personalsafety.
Being prepared starts with having a conversation. Household members need to talk about thekinds of things that can happen where you live. Develop a family communication plan andassemble disaster supply kits that are stored in an identified place in the home.
If a disaster does strike, go to an inside room of your home, or to the room withthe fewest windows. Bring your disaster supply kit with you. Listen to a battery-powered radio for news and instructions. Sometimes household members areaway from home during a disaster. Or emergency officials might advise you toleave your home. In either case, you and your loved ones will need a place to
meet. Pick a friend or relative’s house outside your neighborhood. Be sure to pick this placebefore a disaster strikes so you can be prepared.
Also, memorize the phone number of a relative that lives out of state. Use it if you becomeseparated from your loved ones. Let that relative know where you are so your loved ones canfind you.
Your communication plan should include:• Places in and out of your town where you and your family could meet.• Phone numbers of in-town contacts.• An address and phone number of someone out of town (this could be a friend or
relative).• You can write this information on a card that each family member keeps with them.• Help your children feel safe.• Discuss and learn together about the different types of weather that can affect your area.• Tell your children that you or another grownup will be there to help if something
happens. Talk about how a relief worker, firefighter, police officer, teacher, neighbor ordoctor might help.
• Put a list of emergency numbers by each telephone in your home. Tell your childrenwhat each number is for. You should also list the work and cell phone numbers of familymembers.
Our tornado season is over until the fall, but hurricane season is upon us. The last fewhurricane seasons have not caused too much damage, but luck cannot always be with us. Usethe Home Safety Council as just a beginning. The Alabama Wing Newsletter of Summer 2005
was on hurricane preparedness. This year may be a good time to revisit that letter. Some ofthe links may be outdated. The articles are not.
Dothan participates in the Annual Night Out in July 2011
DOTHAN, Ala. The Annual National Night Out was held at the Dothan Civic Center in Dothan,Alabama on Saturday, July 30, 2011 and members of the Dothan Composite Squadron, Lt ColBrett Lewis, Capt Melissa Lewis, C/Capt Megan Paulson, C/ A1C Richard Irsik and C/AmnKeenan Allen, were there to represent the Civil Air Patrol.
The Dothan Police Department and Houston/HenryCounty District Attorney, Douglas Valeska joined forceswith other local law enforcement agencies, the DothanFire Department, and numerous other organizations topromote crime and drug prevention throughout theWiregrass Area.
The event included performances from local bands, food,rides, demonstration from the bomb squad, the K9 team,the crime scene team and the SWAT Team. The theme
of this year’s event was “Unity of Community” and the Dothan Composite Squadron was proud
to be a part of such a positive happening.
Dothan Police Department’s Captain Keith Gray commented,“The Civil Air Patrol is a positive influence on our childrenand makes valuable contributions to our Dothan community”.
Dothan Composite Squadron representatives spoke withvisitors about the missions of the Civil Air Patrol and what weare able to offer the community through those missions.Their efforts not only strengthened CAP’s ties with thecommunity, but were able to communicate the capabilities to law enforcement and emergencymanagement agencies.
Sept 2011 Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond 4
Gadsden Cadets Serve as Color Guard for Ceremony
The Gadsden Cadets performed the Color Guardceremony for the Alabama Army National Guard,Change of Command Ceremony. The Cadetshelped welcome in the new Commander, Lt. Col.John Lipscomb.
The ceremony was held at Ft. McClellan, Alheadquarters on Sunday March 6, 2011. Thecadets each received a Gold Commander's coinfrom outgoing Commander Lt. Col. Naugher.
Cadets holding Gold Commander's Coin.(l to r) C/TSGT Nathan Phillips, C/SrA. Jonathan Roberts, C/MSGT Joseph Stanley, C/SSGT Doug
McClelland, C/SrA. Levi Kellum
In addition, to meeting both old and new commanders the cadets meet Brigadier Gen. Gailes,who was once a Civil Air Patrol cadet, told the cadets that he obtained the highest rank a cadetcan achieve, the Spaatz Award # 525.
Gailes reached the highest rank a Civil Air Patrol Cadet can achieve, C/Col. He was so kind tocome and speak with the cadets and share his story about being in the CAP. He stated when hesaw them walking across the stage that he had a flash back of his days at being a cadet. Hedirectly related his service with CAP as a cadet to his success in life. He told the cadets that"when you are 18 you will have learned more than your peers who are 25." He explained thatthe leadership skills he learned while a cadet was far beyond that of young people his age. The
big plus he said about being a cadet was HE GOT TO FLY AND FINALLY GOT HIS PILOTSwings, and scholarships for college, all from CAP.
The Spaatz Association Aerospace Leadership ScholarshipDeadline to apply September 30th.
Are you a Civil Air Patrol cadet who:
Earned your Mitchell Award,
Earned your Solo Wings in a powered aircraft,
Maintains at least a 3.0 GPA (normalized),
and has not received or been selected for a similar scholarship or grant?
Sept 2011 Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond 5
Then you are eligible to apply for The Spaatz Association Aerospace Leadership
Scholarship!!! The scholarship is intended to be used primarily to bring a cadet from solo
to his/her private pilot's license. A limited amount of the scholarship may also be used to
attend a CAP leadership activity, or to serve in a leadership position at a suitable CAP
activity. The scholarship must be used within one year of awarding and while the winner is
still an active cadet in good standing.
You may apply by submitting:
A resume of your CAP career;
Proof of academic standing;
3 letters of recommendation: one from your Squadron Commander or Deputy for Cadets, one
from your flight instructor, and one from an individual of your choice;
No more than 2 written pages explaining: 1) What you've done for the Civil Air Patrol, 2)What the scholarship will be used for, and 3) How your use of the scholarship will benefit the
Civil Air Patrol in the future;
A full-length picture in CAP uniform, preferably service dress, but not a utility uniform.
***Note: This is not a CAP scholarship. The application requirements are different, and
incomplete or incorrect applications will be disqualified. Please fulfill the above requirements
exactly.***
Bessemer Cadets Earn Awards and Place Wreaths
Cadets Madison Smith & Jonathan Ricketts received Billy Mitchell Award at June AwardsBanquet (pictured w/ Capt Vaught & Capt Rohar)
Sept 2011 Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond 7
Eric Griffin YEAGER Award
Michael K Moore YEAGER Award
March Awards
Crystal M Lauver YEAGER Award
Joseph L Viviano YEAGER Award
May Awards
Alford Boyd Jr YEAGER AwardSteven E McMurtrey YEAGER AwardJames A Hensley YEAGER AwardGaythan D Belue YEAGER AwardTeresa Lynn Toney LOENING Level IIIJohn W Gibson DAVIS Level IIRobert G Newsome Jr YEAGER AwardCarlin B Sheppard DAVIS Level II
James B Pyatt YEAGER AwardRhonda R Pyatt YEAGER Award
June Awards
Richard T Ballard YEAGER AwardJerry W Ford YEAGER AwardDavid R Gilbert YEAGER AwardAnthony J Diez LOENING Level 3Eddie D Shurbutt YEAGER AwardEarly Washam YEAGER AwardScott S Peters DAVIS Level 2
Jerry A Sharp YEAGER Award
South Baldwin County Cadet SquadronAL133 Holds Awards Ceremony
Al 133 held an awards ceremony on 20 June, 2011. In attendance was the HonorableCongressman Jo Bonner to present the squadron's first Mitchell Award to Sam Cockrell.
Several other certificates, awards, and promotions were presented during the evening .
As of July 26, 2011, AL 132Central Alabama Senior
Squadron,100% of the squadronhas earned the Yeager Award.
Sept 2011 Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond 9
C/2nd Lt. Michael Bentley Earns Academy Appointment
LtCol Jack Bentley, father and squadron cadet activities commander and Capt Tom Lyon, Squadron Commander.
C/2nd Lt. Michael Bentley of the Mobile Composite Squadron accepted an appointment to theUnited States Air Force Academy. He will enter the class of 2015 when he officially reports on23 June of this year.
Bentley is the son of CAP Lt. Col. Jack and Jane Bentley of Mobile, Lt. Col Bentley is the CadetActivities Commander of the Mobile Composite squadron.
C/2nd Lt Bentley was honor cadet of his flight at encampment. He attended National EmergencyServices Academy (NESA), Cadet Officer School, and served on staff as the Dining FacilityNCOIC at a Florida Wing winter encampment. He is currently his squadron's CadetCommander and primary representative to the Wing Cadet Advisory Council.
Maj. Anthony Whitson Mobile Composite Squadron PAO
Alabama Wing Civil Air Patrol Earns “Outstanding” on Biennial Evaluation
Tuscaloosa, Ala.—Low ceilings, IFR conditions and the high heat index did not prevent theAlabama Wing from earning an “Outstanding” on their recent biennial evaluation. The UnitedStates Air Force evaluates every wing in the United States on the wing’s ability to performcertain required activities when called to action by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center
(AFRCC), the Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) and other local and stateorganizations that might need the wing to respond in the event of a man-made or naturalemergency, or an overdue aircraft.
Sept 2011 Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond 10
Ground Branch planning a sortie.
All of these problems were simulated in the exercise. An aircraft on a training flight wasreported overdue, a resident of the county was lost in the woods, and an Aerial Digital ImagingSystem flight was flown to photograph the bridges over Lake Tuscaloosa after a report ofdamage.
Two ground teams were dispatched. One was sent to the area where the county residentdisappeared into the woods using a home built ultra-light. The other team was guided to thelocation of the practice beacon representing the site of the missing aircraft. Both teamsretrieved the practice beacons and returned to the incident command post.
Taking roll during the simulated bomb threat.
Twenty-nine flights hours were logged using twenty-sorties. Pilots from squadrons from MuscleShoals to Dothan signed in for sorties at this exercise.
Capt Tom Lyon, Maj. Ray Harkey, and Maj. Ed Barnes working on an air sortie
Sept 2011 Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond 11
Over seventy CAP volunteers from across the state signed in for this evaluated practice searchand rescue mission. Cadets and senior members worked staff, flight line, air crews and groundteams because they believe in the missions of the Civil Air Patrol.
An “outstanding” rating made the work of the staff, ground and air crews at the mission and in
other training exercises worth all of the effort.
Maj. Pat Mitcham,Alabama Wing, PAO
Iron Man Competition 2011
This year's Iron Man Competition will be held a little earlier than normal due to a change infootball schedules here at Auburn University.
The dates will be Friday and Saturday, November 4--
5, 2011.As always, Friday evening will be your check-in time,
in-processing, safety/ORM briefings, and the first part of thecompetition. Saturday, all day, we will continue the competition.We look forward to being able to get everyone out no later than5pm this year, as some of the issues that kept us a little latelast year have been addressed and tweaked.
Things to look forward to this year:
1) New Friday night schedule and in-processing procedure2) Completely new Compass/DF event
3) Captain Christopher Tate4) Fantastic new run route with a lot of fun and difficult challenges along the way.5) What else could you be doing with your time? Re-lacing your tennis shoes?!? Checking theelastic in your socks?!? Get down here and have some fun and fellowship with other CAPmembers from around the Wing and Region!
Again, November 4th-5th will be the dates for this year's CAP Iron Man Competition. We lookforward to seeing everyone out there. Registration packets will be put out to the squadrons anduploaded to the website as soon as possible once the ALWG FY12 budget is finalized/approvedand we know exactly what the final IMC budget will be.
For more information on the competition in general, visit the website at
www.areyouanironman.com.
Time to start getting those brains and lungs into shape!!!!!
Sept 2011 Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond 12
National Staff College 2011
National Staff College (NSC) is the capstone course in professional development. NSC 2011will be held from 15-22 Oct 11 this year at Maxwell AFB, AL. Attendance at National StaffCollege is restricted to those members who hold the grade of Major (or above), who havecompleted CAP's Region Staff College (or equivalent), and who have the endorsement of theirwing commander. Applications are being accepted now.
Deadline to apply is: 20 Sep 11. For more information and to apply to NSC 2011 the followinglink provides all the needed information:
2011 Southeast Region Staff College is now in the history book. Held at McGhee-Tyson ANGBin Knoxville, TN there were 24 students from 8 different Wings (including 3 outside the SER)and 11 instructors (including 2 from Puerto Rico!) in attendance. The SERSC is the premierregion college that prepares field grade officers (primarily majors and major-selects) to assume
leadership positions of higher responsibility within the CAP. The Alabama Wing was wellrepresented by Maj. Al Boyd, Maj. Jim Gosnell, Maj. Chris Iddins, Capt. Rick Kilgore and Lt. Col.Austin Landry. Alabama Wing had the largest contingency of student participants in the college.All those attending felt the week long training was well worth the commitment and are eager toutilize those skills learned to make CAP the best organization possible.
Capt. Rick Kilgore Director Professional Development ALWG CAP
This event is open to all eligible cadets and senior members. All participants must be a memberin good standing, have OPSEC, GES, and must be safety current.
WESS is held at the USAF Vigilant Warrior Remote Deployment site in Titus, Alabama. Thetraining will start in October, and end in April. The cost for the training is $15.
Additional information and registration may be found at www.wess.alwg.us.
Lt. Col. Michael Long Activity Director
National Emergency Services (NESA) Graduates list will be in the next newsletter.
Public Affairs
If your squadron is not represented in this long overdue newsletter, it is because I have not
received items from your squadron. You are working on your own newsletters, writing articlesfor your facebook pages and blogs. However, the newsletter is not a cut and paste operation atthis level. Please send the articles you want printed in the wing newsletter as an email. Attachphotographs as jpgs to the email. Look at the new way that PAOs are to submit items to CAPOnline News and VolunteerNow. All of those rules apply to submitting items for this newsletter:No embedded photos, names of people in photos, correct uniforms, paragraphs (not notes, orside remarks to a photo), author’s name and rank, photographer’s name and rank.
If the single column newsletter works better than the two column newsletter, please send anemail to [email protected]. This format was a request and so this is a trial issue.
The next newsletter deadline is October 25, 2011. The wing is looking forward to seeing
what every other squadron is doing. This is the one way that information about the wing isshared with everyone.
Patricia Mitcham, Major, CAP Alabama Wing Public Affairs Officer [email protected] home: 256-880-0623 cell:256-880-0623 1919 McDowling Drive
