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The Official Magazine of the Minnesota Wing, Civil Air Patrol
WINTER - SPRING 2010
Northern Flights
Tomorrows Leaders Today!Marine Corps Lance Corporal Jeff Dvorak and Air Force Academy
Cadet 3rd Class Andy Haus. Both are former Minnesota Wing Cadets
and they are excelling in the US military. See how in this issue.
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NorthernFlights
Minnesota Wing
Civil Air Patrol
6275 Crossman Lane
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076
651-291-0462
Colonel Thomas Theis
Commander, Minnesota Wing
Northern Flights Winter-Spring 2010Editorial Supplied by Major Al Pabon
National Public Affairs Team Leader
CAP National Headquarters
Northern Flights is the authorized publication
of the Minnesota Wing of Civil Air Patrol and
is edited by the Minnesota Wing Headquarters
Office. It is published by a private firm which
is in no way connected to the United States Air
Force or the Civil Air Patrol. Opinions expressed
in the articles and advertisements in this magazine
are the sole responsibility of the contributors
and are in no way endorsed by the United States
Government, the United States Air Force, or the
Civil Air Patrol Corporation. This publication is
published three times a year.
Civil Air Patrol is a non-profit volunteer
organization. Federally chartered by Congress
under 36 U.S.C. 20-208, which is dedicated
to emergency services, aerospace education and
motivation of Americas youth to the highest
ideals of leadership and public service throughcadet programs. Funds received by the advertising
sales are used to support this publication and to
support various CAP activities throughout the
State of Minnesota.
For information on advertising rates
and space, please call:
1-800-635-6036
Year in review
Minnesota Wing completed a successful and
intensive year of operations and activities in 2009.
The year started on a
sad note with the pass-
ing of Lieutenant Colonel
Kenneth Krause, a 62-year
Minnesota CAP memberand World War II hero
from the Mankato area,
who died in late February.
Krause was one of
the C-47 pilots that flew
critically needed supplies
over The Hump, a dan-
gerous 530-mile long passage over the Himalayan
Mountains where nearly ,000 men and 600 planes
were lost.
Krause flew 72 missions over The Hump.Among his many military awards were two
Distinguished Flying Crosses and the Purple Heart.
Finding fun ways to beat the Minnesota winter
blues wasnt hard for the 200 Wing members and
their families that turned out in early March for the
Major Richard Sprouse
Public Affairs Ofcer, Group 2
Minnesota WingCelebrates a
Successful 2009
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annual Lock-In and Volleyball Tournament held in
St. Cloud.
Starting with a bevy of teams competing in
a volleyball tournament, the weekend led to lots
of food, rock climbing, ight simulators, movies,
games, swimming, dodge ball, and shooting hoops
at St. Cloud State Universitys state of the artstudent recreation center.
Cadets from Viking Squadron took top vol-
leyball honors, with a cadet team from St. Croix
Squadron nishing second.
At the conclusion of the event, it was a tired but
happy group exclaiming: Awesome. Excellent. It
rocked, as well as, Well be back again next year!
The Wings operations tempo picked up dra-
matically in late March when approximately
200 members were called to ght ooding in the
Fargo/Moorhead area.
The assistance of Civil Air Patrol was much
appreciated and lifted our spirits, said Fargo
resident, Kent Wanner.
Phil McShane, also of Fargo, had plenty
of p ra i se fo r CAP as we l l , pa r t i cu la r ly
the cadets working in his neighborhood.
What marvelous young people. They were polite,
hardworking, and their sense of community was
just amazing. What an example and inspiration to
all of us.
May included two major events: the annual
Wing Conference in Alexandria, as well as
Memorial Day.
A highlight from the Wing Conference was
Captain Bill Menkevich receiving the Federal
Aviation Administrations (FAA) Wright BrothersMaster Pilot Award for 50 years of safe ying.
We are very happy and proud that the FAA
honored a member of the Anoka Squadron for 50
years of safe ying an impressive achievement,
says Major Don Sorenson, Group 2 commander of
the Minnesota Wing.
Bill sets an example for all of us to follow that
ying can be 100 percent safe given good planning,
sound judgment and attention to detail. We salute
Bill on this well-deserved award.
May also means Memorial Day, a busy timefor many Wing Color Guards.
C/Amn Peter Spicer of St. Cloud Squadron
had the honor of carrying the POW/MIA flag
while joining the crack Minnesota Military
Funeral Honor Guard during festivities at the State
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Veterans Cemetery near Camp Ripley. That was
awesome, Spicer said as he helped post and retire
the colors.
Despite being the shortest member of the mili-
tary honor guard, Cadet Spicer stood tall among
the nearly 2-hundred people attending the event.
The little guy did real well on a sacred dayfor all war veterans, said Todd Goodrich, a Navy
Gulf War veteran and member of the Minnesota
Patriot Guard. He stood tall and did his duty, just
like a true veteran.
June and July are big months for cadets with
the annual encampment at Camp Ripley and the
annual Flight Academy in Mankato.The June 20-27 encampment consisted of 86
Basic Cadets, 7 Staff Development Squadron
cadets, and 28 Cadet Staff members. Nearly 30
Senior Officers and volunteers were also there.
Cadets and staff from Missouri, North Dakota, as
well as dozen from Iowa, participated in the event.
Minnesota has a well-earned reputation as one
of the best run encampments in the nation, said 2nd
Lt. Carol Hinkle of the Burlington (Iowa) Composite
Squadron. I learned so much being there.
The July 17-25 ight academy drew 25 cadet
pilots in training from Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska,
Kansas and Georgia and put them behind the con-
trols of either a Super Blanik L-23 glider or Cessna
172 aircraft. Nearly 30 Senior Ofcers supervised
the activity.
If you were among the 90 cadets and senior of-
cers who attended Minnesota Wings annual Ground
Team Academy you possess the skills to perform
search and rescue operations, anytime, anyplace.
After some classroom instruction on land navi-
gation, tracking ELTs, conducting a line search,
working with search dogs and first aid training,
the cadets and senior ofcers spent several days in
the recesses of Camp Ripleys 53,000 acres hon-
ing their newly acquired skills under a variety of
search and rescue scenarios.
Ground Team Academy is an intensive eventdesigned to help prepare our members mentally,
physically and technically to deal with life threat-
ening emergencies, said Lt. Col. Chet Wilberg,
Ground Team Academy commander.
Last year, Minnesota Wing logged 75 actual or
training missions totaling nearly 5,000 personnel
hours, 469 air sorties, 789 air hours and one save.
Minnesota Wings BlackCAP
Emergency Services College cel-
ebrated 25 years in September
with a turnout of 30 members on
a brilliant fall day.
Created by the Red Wing
Squadron in 984, BlackCAP is devoted to teach-
ing the search and rescue procedures that enable
Civil Air Patrol wings everywhere to save nearly
00 lives every year. Cadre at the event wears a
special black cap.
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Among the course offerings were flight line
marshalling, eld rst aid, use of radios and direc-
tion nding equipment, line searches, transitioning
from a search to a rescue operation, and handling
the news media.
Public affairs seems to be a Minnesota spe-cialty. Minnesota Wing submitted the most news
releases to CAP National Headquarters in 2009
with nearly 60 submissions. st Lt. George Supan
of Anoka, st Lt. Erik Lindquist of Viking, and
st Lt. Scott Richardson of St. Croix, as well
as C/CMSgt Lydia Wiff of Viking is among a
talented pool of Wing public information ofcers.
Minnesota was also home to the North Central
Regions public information officer of the year,
Major Richard Sprouse of Group II Headquarters.
Minnesota Wings Leadership Academy
(MLA) had a full house during its annual session
at Camp Ripley in October, graduating 6 cadets
from the Basic Commissioned Officers Course
(BCOC) and 34 cadets from the Noncommissioned
Ofcer School (NCOS).
The MLA prepares cadets to become leaders
through academic study and practical excises
focusing on improving communications and inter-
personal skills, afrmation of the leadership skills
the cadets already have, as well as provide them
ready resources that will help them deal with the
challenges confronted by most young leaders.
The distinguished graduate of the BCOC semi-
nar was Cadet Second Lieutenant David Nelson of
Red Wing Squadron. For the NCOS seminar, the
distinguished graduate was Cadet Staff Sergeant
Caitlin Albrecht of North Hennepin Squadron.
November was Veterans Day, and squad-
rons across the state participated in a number of
events. Community involvement is an integral part
of many Wing activities.
Minnesota Wing members were at the forefront
of another major operational mission in November
when a pilot and plane were reported missing in
northern Minnesota.
The pilot, Andrew Lindberg, died in the crash
discovered southwest of Bemidji.
Over the course of four days, nearly 400 Civil
Air Patrol members from Minnesota, North Dakota
and South Dakota wings, including ground team
members and pilots, were involved in the search.They used 8 CAP aircraft.
Cadets from North Hennepin Squadron took
numerous honors during Minnesota Wings annual
Color Guard Competition held December 4-5 at
Camp Ripley.
The North Hennepin Color Guard placed rst
in Indoor Practical Drill, Outdoor Practical Drill,
Standard Drill, Mile Run, Male Fleet Foot compe-
tition, Inspection, Panel Quiz, and Written Test.
The North Hennepin Color Guard consisting
of C/AC Garan Williams, C/SrA Sam Kessler,
C/SSgt Jasmine Sands, C/MSgt Kris Grimaldi, and
C/AC Mitch Hanson (alternate) will represent
Minnesota Wing during the North Central Region
Continued on page 9 . . .
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Cadets from North Hennepin Squadron took
numerous honors during Minnesota Wings annual
Color Guard Competition held December 4-5 at
Camp Ripley.
The North Hennepin Color Guard placed rstin Indoor Practical Drill, Outdoor Practical Drill,
Standard Drill, Mile Run, Male Fleet Foot compe-
tition, Inspection, Panel Quiz, and Written Test.
The North Hennepin Color Guard consisting of
C/AC Garan Williams, C/SrA Sam Kessler, C/SSgt
Jasmine Sands, C/MSgt Kris Grimaldi, and C/AC
Mitch Hanson (alternate) will represent Minnesota
Wing during the North Central Region Color Guard
Competition in early 200. A team from the squad-
ron won Minnesota and North Central Region Color
Guard Competitions in 2008.
Color Guard details typically include posting
the colors at sporting events, military celebrations,
veterans funerals and a variety of other appropri-
ate occasions.
North Hennepin was consistently challenged
for the top spot by Color Guards from Anoka and
Viking Squadrons. C/Amn Zophia Raleigh of
Anoka Squadron took top honors in the Female
North Hennepin Squadron CadetsDominate Color Guard Competition
Major Richard Sprouse
Public Affairs Ofcer, Group 2
Fleet Foot category, while C/TSgt Gideon Wiff of
Viking Squadron had the best individual score in
the Written Test competition. Anoka also took the
Team Spirit Award.
The purpose of the competition is:
. Provide incentive and motivation for cadets
to train and attain goals in leadership, aerospace,
physical tness and teamwork.
2. Provide an opportunity for cadets to increase
esprit de corps through Excellence in training andperformance.
3. To provide public validation of the objectives
of the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program (CAP).
The cadets that choose to be part this competi-
tion show great dedication by making sure they
understand the basics of Drill and Ceremony,
such as flag etiquette, which is so critical when
our cadets are out in public performing as Color
Guard, said Major Janelle Gates, Chief of Staff-
Training, Minnesota Wing.
When cadets take that extra step to show thatthey care about what theyre doing, are willing
to put themselves up for critical critique, and
Cadets practice ag etiquette in the snow during the 2009
Minnesota Wing Color Guard Competition. (Photo courtesy
of Major Richard Sprouse, Minnesota Group 2 PIO)
First rie, C/SrA
Sam Kessler of
North Hennepin
Squadron, leads
the way for other
members of the
Color Guard.
(Photo courtesy
of Major Richard
Sprouse,
Minnesota
Group 2 PIO)
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NHS Color GuardCont.-
are ready to carry on the military traditions ofhonor and respect, that says a lot about our youth.
THANK YOU!
C/Capt Peter Mayhew of Anoka Squadron was one of the
cadet staffers during the 2009 Minnesota Wing Color Guard
Competition. (Photo courtesy of Major Richard Sprouse,
Minnesota Group 2 PIO)
(L-R) Members of the Anoka and Viking Squadrons share
congratulations during the Panel Quiz portion of the 2009
Minnesota Wing Color Guard Competition. (Photo courtesy
of Major Richard Sprouse, Minnesota Group 2 PIO)
Color Guard Competition in early 200. A team
from the squadron won both Minnesota and North
Central Region Color Guard Competitions last
year before attending National Cadet Competitionin Oregon.
In what is now very much a holiday tradition,
Civil Air Patrol is partnering with Wreaths Across
America, a nonprot organization with a mission
to remember, honor and teach about the serviceand sacrices of our nations veterans.
The Southeast Composite Squadron had a
successful rst year participating in the program
placing about 70 wreaths in Rochester.
All in all, a great year!
Year in Review Continued from page 5 . . .
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While most people were
s leeping in on a Saturday
morning last November 7, a
small group of cadets from theMankato Squadron of the Civil
Air Patrol were participating
in CyerPatriot II, the largest
simultaneous worldwide high
school cyber defense competi-
tion ever staged.
Basically, the cadets learned
how to prevent people from put-
ting viruses on computers, said
Senior Master Sergeant David
Dlugiewicz, the squadronsaerospace education ofcer.
The Mankato cadets spent
most of the day trying to uncover
20 things that compromised a
computer operating system as
part of a hands-on exercise to
interest young adults in math,
science and technology. Their
competition included 200 high
school teams from 4 states
and Japan competing over
the Internet. Over two weeks,
that group was narrowed to 36
teams for the second round or
Medalist Flight competition on
Nov. 2.
Dlugiewicz said the Mankato
team experienced some techni-
cal problems throughout the rst
Major Richard Sprouse
Public Affairs Ofcer, Group II
Mankato Squadron Participates in
CyberPatriot II
two rounds.
After 3 hours of the second
round, the cadets had only xed
one item according to the test-
ing software. At that point, the
cadets decided that they wanted
to make sure their gear was
together if they were needed
for a ground team so they
stopped after about four hours
instead of completing all six.
The Mankato team did not
qualify for the 3rd round of the
competition, but Dlugiewicz
w a s p r o u d o f t h e c a d e t s
Overall, I was impressed with
the cadets performance and
their decision to try again in
round two. There were many
teams that opted not to partici-
pate in round two at all.
Senior Master Sergeant David Dlugiewicz, Mankato Squadron aerospace
education ofcer, and cadets participating in CyerPatriot II the largest
simultaneous worldwide high school cyber defense competition ever staged.
(Photo courtesy Mankato Composite Squadron, Minnesota Wing, Civil Air Patrol)
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Hundreds showed up for the Wreaths Across
America at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in
Minnesota on December 2, 2009.
Minnesota, US Congresswoman Michele
Bachmann, Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau, Col. Tom
Theis, Minnesota Wing, Commander, CAP
members from several Squadrons, the Patriot
Guard along with guests attended the ceremo-
nies. CAP, Maj. Rich Geis, MCed the event
which included presentation of Wreaths at
the military memorial flags. Guest and CAP
members placed over 000 wreaths at graves of
Wreaths Across America atFt. Snelling National Cemetery
It was a cold day but their heartswere warm and heavy
1st Lt. George SupanPublic Affairs Ofcer, Anoka Composite Squadron & Group 3
Veterans who gave the greatest of all sacrices
for our freedom.
The Colors were presented by the Minnesota
Wing Color Guard from North Hennepin
Composite Squadron. MN Wing Chaplain, Lt. Col.
Don Mikitta did the invocation and Chaplain, Maj.
Robert McLawhorn provided the benediction.
Rep Bachmann (picture by 1st Lt. George Supan).
Ries (picture by 1st Lt. George Supan).
NCR Color Guard Team, North Hennepin Composite
Squadron and Lt. Gov. Molnau: (L-R) C/Capt Nic Trombley,
C/CMSgt Matthew Bruffey, C/MSgt Frank Albrecht, Lt. Gov.
Carol Molnau, C/CMSgt Reuben Miller and C/TSgt Caitlin
Albrecht (picture by Lt. Suzanne Albrecht).
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CAP members escorted family members or
special guests who placed wreaths at the flag
poles and markers for each of the branches of the
military. At the completion of the ceremonies Taps
was played along with a volley of rie res.
After the formal ceremonies wreaths were
placed by the grave markers at a sections of the
cemetery by CAP members and anyone who was
in attendance. Some placed wreaths at individual
graves of family members and loved ones who
have served their Country.
Cadet Bill Davis accepts a wreath on behalf
of his brother, former cadet, Marine Corps Lance
Corporal Jake Davis who is now serving in
Washington, D.C.
The event was a great opportunity for everyone
to pay tribute to those who have served. We
Remembered, We Honored and We Shared with
Cadets through our teachings.
Maj. Richard Geis, Ft. Snelling Squadron (picture by 1st Lt.
George Supan).Assisting with wreath Cadet Cadet 2nd Lt. Matt Frame,
Anoka Composite Squadron (picture by 1st Lt. George
Supan).
Cadet Bill Davis accepts a wreath (picture by Lt. Suzanne
Albrecht).
Too many magazines around your house?Leave this one in a public place
as a recruiting tool!
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Decembers annual Wreaths Across America
event is long gone, but not forgotten by members
of the Southeast Squadron of the Minnesota Wing
of the Civil Air Patrol.
I was really impressed by the squadronshigh participation in this rst year effort, and hope
we can lay a wreath at every veterans grave in
Rochester in the future, said Second Lieutenant
Gene Enos, squadron deputy commander. Were
already discussing plans for 200.
There are four cemeteries in Rochester contain-
ing the graves of more than ,000 veterans.
In its rst year of participation in the nationwide
event, the squadron placed 70 wreaths at Calvary
Cemetery in Rochester. Most of the wreaths were
secured through squadron-solicited donations.
Good Feelings From WreathsAcross America Linger on for
Minnesota SquadronMajor Richard Sprouse
Public Affairs Ofcer, Group II
ABOVE: Cadet Elias Rosedahl lays a wreath on the
grave a veteran at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester,Minn., as part of Wreaths Across America. (Photo
courtesy of Chaplain (Maj.) Curtis Martin, Southeast
Minnesota Composite Squadron).
LEFT: Major Richard Baker renders a salute during
the Wreaths Across America event held at Calvary
Cemetery in Rochester, Minn. (Photo courtesy of
Chaplain (Maj.) Curtis Martin, Southeast Minnesota
Composite Squadron).
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On a cold, windy central Minnesota morning, as geese
winged their way to southern climates, wreaths warmed over 300
snow covered graves at the State Veterans Cemetery near CampRipley as part of Wreaths Across America.
Members of the Crow Wing and St. Cloud squadrons of the
Civil Air Patrol combined efforts to distribute the wreaths. They
were joined by the Minnesota Patriot Guard, as well as other
veterans organizations. The Minnesota Department of Veteran
Affairs conducted a brief ceremony placing seven wreaths,
representing each branch of service, the Merchant Marines,
Prisoners of War and Missing in Action.
Wreaths Across America is a non-profit organization that
began over 5 years ago when Worcester Wreath Company
started placing wreaths on the headstones of fallen heroes atArlington National Cemetery. Today, the tradition continues
as the Civil Air Patrol, the Patriot Guard Riders and other civic
organizations place wreaths during a special observance at each
of the over 230 State and National Cemeteries, and Veterans
Monuments nationwide.
Squadrons Combine Efforts DuringWreath-Laying Ceremony at
Veterans CemeteryMajor Richard Sprouse
Public Affairs Ofcer, Group 2
LEFT: C/2nd Lt Ben Leaf of St. Cloud Squadron prepares to lay a wreath at
one of 300 graves at the State Veterans Cemetery near Camp Ripley, Minn.,
as part of Wreaths Across America. (photo courtesy Maj. Richard Sprouse,
Group II PIO, Minnesota Wing).
C/A1C Jessica Holmes of Crow Wing Squadron waits for the
Wreaths Across America ceremony to get underway at the
State Veterans Cemetery near Camp Ripley, Minnesota.
(photo courtesy Maj. Richard Sprouse, Group II PIO,
Minnesota Wing).
C/Amn Timothy OReilly of Crow Wing Squadron places
a wreath during a cold, windy Wreaths Across America
ceremony at the State Veterans Cemetery near Camp
Ripley, Minnesota. (photo courtesy Maj. Richard Sprouse,
Group II PIO, Minnesota Wing).
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Cadet 3rd Class Andrew Haus,
who attended St. Francis, MN High
School is named best of the best
at the U.S. Air Force Academy, inColorado Springs, Co.
Cadets with the Class of 202
received awards for outstanding
performance as freshmen during the
annual Liaison Officer Directors
conference in Colorado Spring
January 4, 200.
C a d e t H a u s w a s C a d e t
C o m m a n d e r a t t h e A n o k a
Compos i te Squadron o f the
Minnesota Wing, Civil Air Patrolbefore being accepted into the U.S.
Air Force Academy.
Cadet Haus was ranked fourth
in his class militarily, had a 3.8
mid-semester GPA and earned a
445 of 500 possible points on
his physical tness test. In addition,
he was a class representative for
Cadet Squadron 04 and dedicated his spring break
to Habitat for Humanity.
I think my biggest accomplishment was
simply keeping up good grades, said Haus.
Academics are everything here, and Im denitely
not a genius in any way. I have never worked so
hard on schoolwork, but it really paid off.
The award ceremony gives liaison officer
directors a chance to recognize the outstanding
achievements and hard work that cadets put into
the Academy, said Larry Jones, acting director
Former MN Civil Air PatrolMember is Now the
Best of the Best1st Lt. George Supan
Public Affairs Ofcer, Anoka Composite Squadron
(L-R) Paula Gould, wife of Academy Superintendent, Lt. Gen. Mike Gould;
Cadet 3rd Class Andrew Haus; Larry Jones, acting director of admissions.
(Photo taken by Rachel Boettcher)
of admissions. These are the same cadets our
Academy liaison ofcers mentored and helped get
to the Academy two years ago, said Jones.
M e m b e r s o f t h e A n o k a C o m p o s i t e
Squadron are very excited to see one of their
own become the best of the best, said Capt.
Shelly Supan, Commander.
0% of the new Cadets at the U.S. Air
Force Academy are former Cadets in the Civil
Air Patrol.
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Many of the leadership challenges facing Civil
Air Patrol members are the same ones confrontingmembers of todays military says Marine Corps
Reserve Lance Corporal Jeff Dvorak of Sauk
Rapids, Minn.
From September 4, 2009, the Minnesota
Wing - St. Cloud Squadron rst lieutenant has been
running convoys as a member of Marine Wing
Support Squadron 472 at Al Asad Airbase Iraq.
The unit was tasked with assisting retrograding
the Marine Corps side of operations in Iraq to the
U.S. Army, which they successfully accomplished
January 23, 200.
Deployed Marine, CAP
Member Sees Similar
Leadership ChallengesMajor Richard Sprouse
Public Affairs Ofcer
Group II, Minnesota Wing
This mission has our unit moving equipment
from place to place, as well as setting up refueling
points for helicopters, repairing landing sites, and
hauling fuel to remote locations, Dvorak said.
We were so efcient in doing this that our deploy-
ment was shortened by several months! Hes
expected back home shortly.
Dvorak transitioned to the senior ofcer side of
CAP after a successful cadet experience that show-
cased his Emergency Services skills, particularly
as a Ground Team Leader. To help pay for college
he enlisted in the Marine Reserve two years ago.
He was attending St. Cloud State University
US Marine Corps Reserve Lance Corporal Jeff Dvorak, a
CAP rst lieutenant with the Minnesota Wings St. Cloud
Squadron, working comm on a convoy in Iraq. The headset
allows him to talk to the convoy assets while a handset, right
ear, allows him to talk to Marine tactical air supporting the
convoy. (Photo provided by LCPL Dvorak)
US Marine Corps Reserve Lance Corporal Jeff Dvorak, a
CAP rst lieutenant with the Minnesota Wings St. Cloud
Squadron working communications during a convoy in Iraq.
(Photo provided by LCPL Dvorak)
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when he was selected to augment Marine Wing
Support Squadron 472, based in Willow Grove,
Pennsylvania, for its mission to Iraq.
Convoy duty was intense and stressful, but
there were moments of humor as well.
I watched a Marine known for being clumsy,
get down from a 7-ton truck, and catch his weaponsling on a fire extinguisher which then began
spraying purple re suppressant everywhere. This
Marine tried to stem the ow by sticking his nger
in the nozzle. It was one of the funniest things I
had seen in a long time, Dvorak said.
Dvorak said what he learned about leadership
as a CAP cadet served him well as a deployed
Marine.
The Minnesota Leadership Academys Basic
Commissioned Ofce Course (BCOC) and Major
Sprouses series Learning to Lead specically,applied and were conrmed while I was in Iraq,
Dvorak said.
1. In CAP, a leaders rst priority is tak-
ing care of their cadets. In the Marines,
this meant doing simple things like
making sure everyone was properly
fed, housed and getting enough rest.
Also, treating everyone fairly.
2. BCOC emphasized setting clear goalsand objectives. Dvorak said Marines
always have a plan of action so person-
nel and equipment are not sitting idly
by.
3. Make sure your people receive praise
and formal recognition regularly.
4. Know your job. He said theres noth-
ing worse than an incompetent leader
who hasnt taken the time to learn their
profession.
5. Be confidant. Dont be the timid
leader who gives orders phrased as
questions.
6. Give respect to get respect. Dvorak
said its an old clich, but true. As
US Marine Corps Reserve Lance Corporal Jeff Dvorak, a
CAP rst lieutenant with the Minnesota Wings St. Cloud
Squadron, on convoy duty in Iraq. (Photo provided by LCPL
Dvorak)
a leader, take your subordinates sug-
gestions into account, and if they are
better than yours show your maturity
and change your course of action.
7. An ineffective, poor leader screams
and yells. Instead, set high standards
and expectations, and enforce them.
Leadership challenges that come up in CAP
are the same as the ones faced by todays mili-
tary, Dvorak said. He said the biggest differences
between CAP and the Marines are pay and the
laws that apply on the military side, laws that
increase the consequences of both positive and
negative actions.
The experience in Iraq has been eye open-
ing, both as a follower and as a potential leader,
Dvorak said. There is so much one can learn just
by paying attention and then applying what you
have learned. I look forward to getting back to the
squadron in St. Cloud and doing just that.
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The annual Lock-in and Volleyball tour-nament hosted March 6-7 by the St. Cloud
Composite Squadron and Minnesota Wing has
become a mainstay for Minnesota members of
the Civil Air Patrol wanting a break from the long
winter and an opportunity to have some fun with
other families and friends from across the state.
The event held at St. Cloud State University
drew nearly 250 people this year.
It was also an opportunity for Major Pat Cruze,
St. Cloud Squadron commander, and one of the
organizers of the highly popular event, to get outsome valuable information to potential members
of CAP, as well as thank all wing members for
their efforts throughout the year.
Wing members invite friends and family along
so its a great time to share a lot of good informa-
tion about the opportunities CAP provides and do
MinnesotaWing Enjoys
AnotherWinter Blast
Major Richard Sprouse
Public Affairs Ofcer, Group II
a little recruiting, as well as give them a taste of
some of the fun events that occur during the year,
Cruze said. Its also a great event to keep current
cadet and senior members from across the state
connected to what is going on in their squadrons.
The event centers around the volleyball tourna-
ment earlier in the day, but there are lots of other
fun activities during the overnight lock-in such as
swimming, movies, board games, dodge ball and
basketball. The state of the art flight simulatorsprovided by the universitys nationally recognized
aviation department put cadets behind the controls
of various aircraft.
The rock climb is always a popular event during the
Minnesota Wing Lock-In/Volleyball Tournament held
annually at St. Cloud State University. (Photo courtesy Major
Richard Sprouse, Group II PIO, Minnesota Wing)
Continued on page 23 . . .
A cadet prepares to serve during the 2010 Minnesota Wing
Lock-In/Volleyball Tournament held annually at St. Cloud
State University. (Photo courtesy Major Richard Sprouse,
Group II PIO, Minnesota Wing)
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22 22
Members of the Minnesota
Wing of the Civil Air Patrol
underwent a U. S. Air Force
e v a l u a t i o n A p r i l 7 a n d
r e c e i v e d S u c c e s s f u l ,
Excellent and Outstanding
r a t i n g s , r e s p e c t i v e l y .
We are pleased to report that
Minnesota Wing has success-
fully completed its two-year
operations evaluation by the Air
Force and is mission ready, saidMaj. Paul Pieper, Minnesota
Wings emergency services
director and incident commander
of the USAF evaluation.
Nearly 20 CAP members
and 2 aircraft participated in
the evaluation, which assessed
areas cri t ical or important
Team Minnesota is Mission ReadyMajor Richard Sprouse
Public Affairs Ofcer, Group II
to assure the health and per-formance of Civil Air Patrol
Wings everywhere.
I congratulate you on the
successful completion of this, as
well. For all those who received
Excellent or Outstanding
ratings, Im extremely proud
of you, said Col. Tom Theis,
Minnesota Wing Commander.
While the overall rating was
Successful, Pieper and Theis
acknowledged theres always
work to do. However, both
agreed with the Air Force evalu-
ators that Minnesota Wing is
ready to serve when called.
Successful means that we are
ready. We stand on our readi-
ness, we do what we need to do
A cadet performs ight line marshalling during the USAF evaluation held in
Mankato, Minn., on April 17, 2010. Nearly 120 CAP members and 12 aircraft
participated in the event. (Photo courtesy Maj. Richard Sprouse, Group II PIO,
Minnesota Wing)
Lt. Col. Thomas Hollenhorst is interviewed by KEYC-TV during the USAF
evaluation held in Mankato, Minn., on April 17, 2010. (Photo courtesy Maj. Richard
Sprouse, Group II PIO, Minnesota Wing)
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23 23
to be ready at a moments notice
to deploy our air and ground
resources wherever they are
needed and whenever they are
needed, Pieper said. We meetthe standards set forth by the Air
Force, but I say with condence
that as Minnesotans we not only
want to meet but exceed stan-
dards and we will continue to
work to that end.
Every moment of the day
-- 24 hours a day, seven days
a week Minnesota Wing
stands ready to serve locally,
regionally, and nationally,Col. Theis said.
2nd Lt. Greg Erickson readies an aircraft for a mission during the USAF evaluation
held at in Mankato, Minn., on April 17, 2010. (Photo courtesy Maj. Richard
Sprouse, Group II PIO, Minnesota Wing)
While many people were havingfun playing volleyball or the many
other activities, some were climbing
the walls.
The rock climbing wall is a very
popular event. Most people head
straight for the wall as soon as they
get here, Cruze said, but we hear it
every year, its all a blast.
There was also plenty of pizza,
sloppy joes, hotdogs, chips, bever-
ages, and other assorted foods and
treats thanks to the generous dona-
tions of numerous vendors in the St.
Cloud area.
All in all, it was a great time and
good, clean family fun for every-
one who attended with many of the
attendees already looking forward to
next years event.
Winter Blast Continued from page 21
Minnesota Wing Commander Col. Tom Theis (far right) joins members of
the North Hennepin Squadron, winners of the volleyball competition. (Photo
courtesy Major Richard Sprouse, Group II PIO, Minnesota Wing)
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25 25
Its go time.With that, 75 members of the Minnesota Wing
of the Civil Air Patrol are on the ground in the
Fargo/Moorhead area lling sandbags and building
dikes in areas threatened by the rising Red River.
Weve been checking and packing our gear,
and nalizing our call-down list for the past week
in anticipation of getting the call, said First
Lieutenant Steven Parker, St. Cloud Squadrons
Emergency Services ofcer. Parker, a former CAP
cadet, is a full-time student at St. Cloud State
University who will be commissioned as a Marine
Corps second lieutenant in May.
Twelve cadets and two senior ofcers departed
St. Cloud Airport at 9:00 p.m. Tuesday for the
three-hour trip to the Fargo/Moorhead area.
The St. Cloud Squadron was working
Wednesday south of Moorhead, Minn., with
CAP members from Anoka and North Hennepin
Flood Flight is on again inNorth Dakota and Minnesota
Major Richard Sprouse
Public Information Ofcer
2010 Flood Operations-Minnesota
Minnesota Wing
squadrons laying sandbags in ood prone areas.
A man in his 70s greeted the CAP vans as they
rolled up.
He was awfully glad to see us, Parker said.
This is a situation where a community is in
need of our support, were here to help in any
way we can.
The ride to the site and a quick reconnaissance
of the area told CAP members all they needed to
know about what theyre facing.
Waterways running high and the saturatedground have created ideal conditions for ooding,
Parker said. Were going to be busy.
Hutchinson, Red Wing, St. Croix, Mankato and
St. Paul Squadrons have similar missions at other
locations. Other Minnesota Squadrons are in route.
Several senior ofcers and cadets are working at
the mission base in Fargo Airport.
Weather conditions brought both relief and
Members of the Minnesota Wing of the Civil Air Patrol
sandbagging south of Moorhead, Minn. (Photo courtesy of
1st Lt. Steven Parker, St. Cloud Squadron, Minnesota Wing)
(Standing with shovel) C/Capt Lydia Stone and C/2nd Lt Ben
Leaf (holding sandbag), both of St. Cloud (Minn.) Squadron
sandbagging south of Moorhead, Minn. (Photo courtesy of
1st Lt. Steven Parker, St. Cloud Squadron, Minnesota Wing)
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26 2626
concern to Parker.
The weather is ideal for
working outside, sunny and in
the upper 40s, a far cry from theblizzard conditions we experi-
enced during last years record
ood, Parker said.
Ice jams on the Red River
north of Fargo have slowed the
rushing waters, but the warmer
temperatures and sunshine will
hasten their melt.
That concerns everyone
here, Parker said. Were
watching. Its all we can do.The Red River in eastern
North Dakota and western
Minnesota is expected to crest
about 20 feet above ood stage
and three feet below last years record crest by
March 20.
Major Paul Pieper, Minnesota Wings
Emergency Services director, said Minnesota air
crews are standing by to assist. We just nished
up a series of training missions in anticipation
of supporting disaster relief efforts in the RedRiver Valley, as well as other areas of Minnesota
threatened with ooding.
The ood ght is on again in North Dakota
and Minnesota. Its go time.
The Minnesota Wing consists of 23 squadrons
located in every area of the state, with more than
,300 members and 7 light aircraft.
Minnesota Wing routinely flies thousandsof hours per year of operational flights, and
contributes some 0,000 + hours to search and
rescue, counter drug, disaster preparedness,
Homeland Security and other humanitarian mis-
sion ying. For more information on Minnesota
CAP go to: www.mncap.org
Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the
U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with
58,000 members nationwide. CAP, in its Air Force
auxiliary role, performs 90 percent of continental
U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked bythe Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and was
credited by the AFRCC with saving 72 lives in s-
cal year 2009. Its volunteers play a leading role in
aerospace education and serve as mentors to more
than 23,000 young people currently participating
in CAP cadet programs. CAP has been performing
missions for America for nearly 70 years.Members of the Minnesota Wing of the Civil Air Patrolsandbagging south of Moorhead, Minn. (Photo courtesy of
1st Lt. Steven Parker, St. Cloud Squadron, Minnesota Wing)
(Foreground) 1st Lieutenant Jeff Dvorak, St. Cloud Squadron, recently returned from
a deployment to Iraq with the Marine Corps, sandbags south of Moorhead, Minn.
(Photo courtesy of 1st Lt. Steven Parker, St. Cloud Squadron, Minnesota Wing)
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27 27
FARGO, N.D.Civil Air Patrol aircraft and per-
sonnel from seven Midwest states have returned
home after providing nearly 360 hours of flight
time supporting disaster relief efforts in North
Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota.
Our mission is complete, said Illinois
Wing Maj. Eric Templeton, who directed CAPs
ARCHER flights over the Red River Valley as
well as other parts of North Dakota from the orga-
nizations ood response mission base at Fargos
Hector International Airport. Id like to express
my personal thanks to everyone who directly and
indirectly supported our activities, especially those
CAP Aircrews Wrap SuccessfulFlooding Response
Flights document Midwest states critical
infrastructure concerns
Major Richard Sprouse
Public Information Ofcer
2010 Flood Operations-Minnesota
Minnesota Wing
who covered for us back home.
Acting as an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force,
CAP sent aircrews from Illinois, Minnesota,
Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and
Wisconsin to the Fargo mission base. The aircrews
ew 160 still photography and ARCHER ights,
delivering ,00 images and ,270 gigabytes of
ARCHER information to the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, the North Dakota Emergency
Operations Center, U.S. Geological Service,
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the
Minnesota Department of Transportation.
The Airborne Real-time Cueing Hyperspectral
CAP Gippsland GA-8 Airvans equipped with the ARCHER hyperspectral imaging system set on the tarmac at Fargos Hector
International Airport. The Airvans were used to y sorties in support of federal and state emergency management agencies
involved in the recent ood response in the Red River Valley. In all, CAP aircrews from seven Midwest states made 160
ARCHER and still photography ights in support of the mission. (Photo by Lt. Col. John Barsness, Minnesota Wing)
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Enhanced Reconnaissance, or ARCHER, is own
aboard CAPs Australian-built Gippsland GA-8
aircraft. Developed a few years ago specifically
for Civil Air Patrol to aid in search and rescue,
homeland security and disaster relief, ARCHER
is one of the most sophisticated non-classified
airborne imaging systems in the world. It provides
hyperspectral imaging capabilities through a high-resolution camera onboard each CAP Airvan.
Federal and state emergency management
officials used ARCHER images taken in North
Dakota and Minnesota to determine the extent of
the ood inundation along the Red River as well
as other rivers and tributaries as they crested and to
help analyze the integrity of several earthen dams.
The images also helped ofcials improve the snow
melt models used to predict water levels for the
river and its tributaries.
This provided more than just situational aware-
ness, said Capt. Nash Pherson, a Minnesota Wing
volunteer who helped coordinate the ARCHER
flights. We were able to rapidly provide high-
resolution imagery that could be pulled into the
mapping systems used by emergency response
decision-makers.
More than 30 CAP members utilizing four
GA-8 Airvans and 2 other aircraft supported
ARCHER. Each agency was very happy with
the speed and quality of the data it received from
ARCHER, said Templeton, adding, North
Dakota officials are interested in some longer-
term tasking activities to support other needs of
the state.
While ARCHER was out collecting data,
other aircrews often used the 2 support planesat the Fargo mission base to provide ice jam
patrols all over the state as well as still images
of rivers and tributaries, said Lt. Col. Bill Kay,
the incident commander for North Dakota Wing.
Our crews worked the Missouri, Knife, Heart
and Cannonball rivers in central North Dakota,
while others flew the James, Sheyenne, North
Red, Forest and Park rivers on the eastern side
of the state from the North Dakota-South Dakota
border to Canada. We are still doing that even
today, albeit at a lesser degree.
Similar activities were repeated in South
Dakota, on the rivers and tributaries in the Mount
Rushmore State. Capt. John Seten, South Dakota
Wings incident commander, said aircrews pro-
vided overights of ooded areas of the state and
took geographically tagged aerial photographs of
ice jams and ood damage for the states Ofce of
Emergency Management.
Three ARCHER-equipped Gippsland GA-8 Airvans are prepped for ight at Fargos Hector International Airport, the mission
base for Civil Air Patrols recent ood response in the Red River Valley. The hyperspectral imaging system aboard four CAP
Airvans was used to assist federal and state emergency management ofcials responding to the ooding in the upper Midwest.In all, CAP aircrews from seven Midwest states made 160 ARCHER and still photography ights in support of the mission.
(Photo by Lt. Col. Troy C. Krabbenhoft, North Dakota Wing)