“Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond”

North Central Region News

Volume 2008 October

Colonel Steve Kuddes

Commander, North Central Region

I am pleased to announce a new member of the North

Central Region staff or more appropriately, announce the
return of Rex Glasgow to the Civil Air Patrol. His
membership became official 1 October 2008.

Rex has served as a squadron commander in Iowa Wing,

as the Iowa Wing commander, North Central Region
commander and the National Vice commander. He brings
a wealth of information and expertise back to us in the
North Central Region and to Civil Air Patrol.

As soon as he completes all of the requirements such as

the CAP Foundations Course, Cadet Protection Training
and OPSEC, Rex will be working with Captain Sue Grant
at the region headquarters. His official duty assignment
will be announced later.

Also, due to some changes at the Red Cross building in Cedar Rapids, our offices will be moving so
there will be some disruption for a short time while phone and fax lines plus Internet service is being
moved. That will be occurring sometime this month so requests for awards, promotions etc will be
delayed for a short time as the office is packed up in preparation for the move.

Please join me in welcoming Rex back to Civil Air Patrol and the North Central Region as we continue
to move forward as the best region in the Civil Air Patrol.

In this Issue
• Kansas cadet receives Spaatz Award
• Leaders complete National SAR Management Training
• North Dakota Wing impresses local officials
NCR•News
And MUCH MORE!!!!! October 2008 Page 1
 Commander’s Column
Col Steve Kuddes
Commander, North Central Region

The North Central Region, along with the rest of CAP, has just concluded the
fiscal year. That means new money is available for training and Cadet
Orientation rides but for us, it means a new way to do business.

The NCR staff has been actively working on their plans and activities for the
next 12 months. Our goal is to provide the best possible professional support
to all 7 Wings of the North Central Region and to our members.

All of us at NCR believe it is our mission to provide the support required by our Wings to make their missions a
success.

• Whether it is helping with SLS, CLC or conducting the Region Staff College or Chaplain’s Region Staff
College, we need to provide the Professional Development Programs to help shape the leaders of CAP
for tomorrow and beyond.

• We need to train our Public Affairs Officers so they can tell our story resulting in new members who can
share the opportunities we have or letting America know we are here ready, willing and able to help at
any time.

• Our Cadet Program gives our young adults life experiences that are unique to CAP and helps prepare
them for an incredibly successful future.

• And in Emergency Services, we must make sure we are ready to serve professionally by training and
being prepared to provide the best possible service to our communities, states and country in time of
need.

Since my space here is limited, I have mentioned only a few of our staff areas. But rest assured we are all
excited at the plans we have for the next 12 months and beyond. Colonel Tom Weston, Colonel Dale Hoium
and I are very proud and blessed to have a region staff of very professional people with many years of service
and experience in CAP.

In a few months, we will be ready to close out 2008 and start a new calendar year. With that comes the time
when our Wing commanders will be welcoming nominations from our members for numerous annual awards.

A list of those awards and when they are due at Wing, Region and NHQ will be posted on the NCR website. I
encourage every member to nominate a member through your chain of command so we can recognize and
honor the service they provide.

In October 2009, we will meet again at the North Central Region Conference in Des Moines, IA to learn and
celebrate another successful year in the North Central Region and CAP.

North Central Region News is published monthly by the North Central Region, Civil Air Patrol
Col. Steve Kuddes, Region Commander Maj. Al Pabon, Director of Public Affairs

Please send submissions by the 10th of each month to: pao@ncr.cap.gov

NCR News October 2008 Page 2

Kansas Wing’s Scalia receives top cadet recognition
Lt. Col. Ronald Behm
Public Affairs Officer, New Century Composite Squadron
Cadet Col. Nathan Scalia's father, Michael Scalia, pins on his son's
new rank as U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore presents him with the Gen. Carl
A. Spaatz Award. Photo by 1st Lt. Paul Carney
2007, which took him to Hong Kong.
He served as Missouri Wing Encampment cadet commander this year and has served as the New Century
squadron's cadet commander.
A graduate of Olathe North High School, he is attending Johnson County Community College and plans to
pursue a medical degree.
NCR News October 2008
Cadet Col. Nathan F. Scalia of the New Century
Composite Squadron has been recognized with Civil
Air Patrol's highest cadet honor, the Gen. General
Carl A. Spaatz Award, presented by U.S. Rep.
Dennis Moore during a ceremony at the Olathe
Kansas Army National Guard Armory.
Also participating in the presentation were Col.
Regina Aye, Kansas Wing commander; Lt. Cols.
Dominick Italliano, New Century squadron
commander and former deputy commander of
cadets, John Marek; and Maj. Roger Eaton of the
Missouri Wing's Cass County Composite Squadron.
Scalia has been active in CAP since October 2002.
He has trained in ground team search and rescue
and has participated in a variety of National Cadet
Special Activities during summer breaks, including
National Blue Beret in 2004, Cadet Officer School in
2005 and the International Air Cadet Exchange in
TOPEKA, KANSAS -- Cadets from
across the Kansas Wing along with a
few senior members flew on a KC-
135R "Stratotanker" from the 190th Air
Refueling Wing, Kansas Air National
Guard. During the flight, cadets got to
experience an actual mid-air refueling
while the Boeing-built tanker refueled
a Northrop-Grumman B-2 "Spirit"
Bomber high above Missouri on Sept
23rd.
Page 3
NCR Officers attend Inland Search and Rescue Planning Course
Capt Chris Havran
Health Services Officer, North Central Region

Members of the North Central Region joined fellow search and rescue professionals in advancing their search
and rescue capabilities by attending the Inland Search and Rescue Planning Course, taught by staff from the Air
Force Element of the National Search and Rescue School.

The National Search and Rescue School is a joint training agency, established in 1966, between the U.S. Air
Force and the U.S. Coast Guard. The Air Force Element is part of the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center
and is tasked with Inland Search and Rescue training. The Coast Guard Element is tasked with Maritime Search
and Rescue training.

Lt Col Eric Steward, the director of the Air Force Element of the National SAR School – and MSgt Jen Lyons,
the NCOIC of the Air Force Element – taught the course at Camp Grafton, North Dakota, from 22 – 26
September 2008.

“Teaching this course reminds me of what is good about America”, said Lt Col Steward in his closing comments,
“it’s people like you, who put yourself in harm’s way and give of your time and talents, embracing the motto:
‘these things we do, that others may live.’ It is quite a humbling experience to meet and talk with such fine
citizens of this great country.” said Steward.

The students represented many different

agencies - including members of the North
Dakota State Patrol Emergency Response
Team and Aviation Wing, North Dakota
Parks and Recreation, Three Affiliated
Tribes Game and Fish, Cavalier County
(ND) Search and Rescue, Bottineau County
(ND) Emergency Management and Drayton
(ND) Fire and Rescue. The NCR members
in attendance were Col Walter Vollmers
(NDWG HQ), Lt Col Kevin Iverson (Bismarck
Composite SQDN, NDWG), Maj Bill
Goldammer (NDWG HQ), Maj William Kay
(NDWG HQ), Maj Darrel Pittman (NDWG
HQ), Maj Michael Provencher (NDWG HQ),
Lt Col Steward giving a briefing during the Inland SAR Planning Course at Maj Deryl Miles (Lewis and Clark Composite
Camp Grafton (Devil’s Lake), ND. Photo courtesy of MSgt Jen Lyons, USAF. SQDN, SDWG) and Capt Chris Havran
(NCR HQ).

Graduates of the Inland Search and Rescue Planning Course are awarded a certificate and are authorized to
wear the National Search and Rescue School patch and pin.

U.S. National Search and Rescue School Patch

NCR News October 2008 Page 4

Squadron's first SAREX
Capt Eric Dean
Commander, Laclede County Composite Squadron, Missouri Wing

Lebanon, MO - Just as we celebrate our first complete year as a unit, we find ourselves getting busy with ES.
We decided to do our first unit SAREX, and having attended many in the past, we laid out an extremely
aggressive training schedule.

Since we have built up such a large contingent of pilots, one of our primary goals for this exercise was ground to
air coordination, and at the same time getting pilots oriented with ground team procedures. The results were
fantastic. The first morning started off with a little confusion, as we struggled to get sign-ins and proper forms
out, the tent set up, and teams picked for the days adventures. We did quickly sort out everything and things got
smoother and smoother as the day wore on. We chose fairly basic areas for the first day ELT locations, and
made those locations extremely challenging for day two. We had the aircraft locating ELT's and guiding ground
teams in before proceeding to a second location. We even had scanners locating smoke, mirror signals, and
ground signals all while performing the ELT missions. All personnel performed admirably, especially considering
that many of them had never been out on a CAP ground team before.

With the new qualifications and experiences, and the first SAREX out of the way, we now have a more
energized group about ground operations, and all are much more comfortable with ground/air operations after
having experienced the "other side".

We are now looking forward to more difficult training and our next SAREX.

Inspiring Colors Presentation

Capt Eric Dean
Commander, Laclede County Composite Squadron, Missouri Wing

Lebanon, MO - One of the greatest feelings in the world is to feel useful right? As a functioning Color Guard one
of those fuzzy feelings is getting requested to post Colors for something admirable. Seems like lately our Color
Guard has been extremely busy doing just that, and the requests keep coming.

On Monday, 29 SEP, our Color Guard had the honor to be requested to post the colors for the MSDA, Missouri
Deputy Sheriffs Association, annual conference and banquet.

Our cadets showed up early on Monday morning, and the Sheriffs had kindly reserved us a parking spot right up
front. As the cadets geared up, they talked about being a little intimidated by the fact that these were officers of
the law, and there were so many of them! However, as we stood at the back of the room with the flags, all lined
up and ready to go, many of those officers passed us and commented on how sharp the cadets looked, and
how they appreciated them being there. The cadets lost some of their trepidation, and once again, performed an
awesome presentation in a room they had not previously got to see.

As their commander, I would like them all to know, and anyone else who reads this, how proud I am of their
achievements and efforts. And to the Deputy Sheriffs who requested us, thank you for the honor of presenting
the Colors for you.

Fore more news from Missouri Wing Please go to

NCR News October 2008 Page 5

Special Ground Team Search and Rescue Training
2d Lt George Supan
Public Affairs Officer, Anoka County Composite Squadron, Minnesota Wing
CAP conducted classroom instructions on ground
team search and rescue, air search and public
affairs. After the classroom presentations Police
and Fire Department members went to a large open
area for field training on September 20, 2008 at
Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds Fire Station #3 in
Blaine, MN.
Blaine Mayor, Tom Ryan (pictured above) and
Police Capt. Kenny Fenner joined pilot, 1st Lt Shelly
Supan in the CAP airplane. They flow over the
training area to view the training from the air. “You
could see a cat on the ground in the parking lot”,
said Mayor Ryan.
“In the tall grass your couldn’t identify people that
did not have an orange or yellow vest”, said Capt
Fenner. “We did see Rescue Annie lying on the
ground”, he said.
The Police and Fire Departments were trained on
line search and looking for clues of a lost person.
When a searcher found a personal article such as a
cap, jacket or t-shirt the search line would stop and
NCR News
evaluate what they found the direction the lost
person might be going.
After some time searching, the lost person, Rescue
Annie (the first aid CPR training mannequin) was
found.
The CAP class room presentations were by Capt
Andy Bosshart, Anoka Composite Squadron
Commander; 1st Lt Jay Spreitzer, Emergency
Services Trainer; 1st Lt Shelly Supan, Deputy
Commander and pilot; 2nd Lt George Supan, Public
Affairs Officer; Senior Member Don Raleigh,
Emergency Services Officer. Also assisting in the
field exercise were Capt David Mansheffer and
C/A1C Charles Atchison. .
Two search dogs and there trainers, CAP
members, 2nd Lt Monika Oldenburg and Senior
Member Denise Kvale demonstrated the dogs skills
in finding a person in the tall grass and in the
woods.
A second training search was conducted in the
woods and again Rescue Anne was found.
Fire Capt, Harlan Lundstrom was in the CAP
airplane during the second search. He said, “The
view from the air could aid in a grass fire looking for
hot spots”. “We could have used the airplane three
time the last couple of weeks”, he said.
Mayor Ryan along with Police and Fire Department
members all said they learned a lot with the training
and want do more with CAP in the future.
October 2008 Page 6
Photo by Capt. Lynette Boese and pilot Major Tim Boese, Grand Forks Composite Squadron

North Dakota Members Impress Emergency Management Officials.

Major Troy Krabbenhoft
Public Affairs Officer, North Dakota Wing

It was another mission to show the local, state and federal officials that the Civil Air Patrol is a precise, proficient
and professional organization. Members across the state of North Dakota took part in a Roads Acting as Dams
(RAAD) exercise.

Civil Air Patrol members took over 200 photos of aerial footage for a much needed bird’s eye view of various
possible weak spots on the ground.

Devils Lake has brought havoc to local citizens in recent years with the massive acreage it has consumed due
to flooding. With heavy rains in 1993 the lake rose 5 feet in 6 months and hasn’t stopped since. It has risen 24
feet in the last 15 years consuming over 81,000 acres of houses, trees, farmland etc. The lake is currently
120,000 acres with no stop in site. It is forecasted to rise and consume up 300,000 acres in the years to come.

This has been an ongoing battle for the engineers of the community and state. Major Bill Kay is the North
Dakota Director of Operations and was the incident commander of this mission he states “this was the first
opportunity to work with Ramsey County and the department of emergency management to help protect the
Devils Lake basin”.

Kay also said that “This was a very successful exercise with over 200 photos provided to the local, state, and
federal agencies”

They were pleasantly surprised by the support of an all volunteer organization and enjoyed working with the
CAP. It was great for the members to hone in their skills on an exercise so when they are on a mission they will
be that much better.

During the exercise there was also a mock search and rescue of a civilian boat that was also a success. This
exercise was put together by the Emergency Management office to see how Ramsey County could react to any
breaches in the roads that are currently acting as dams.

Civil Air Patrol assists with airport re-dedication

NCR News October 2008 Page 7
Capt Jim Harris
Tri County Senior Squadron, Minnesota Wing

On Sunday, September 14th, Minnesota Congressman James Oberstar was the guest speaker when the City of
Walker rededicated the city airport.

The congressman has represented the 8th Congressional District of Minnesota for 34 years and he is the
chairman of the House Transportation Committee where he is a strong advocate of general aviation. When
federal and state funding was needed to improve the Walker city airport, the congressman’s assistance was
instrumental in moving the project forward.

The City had requested support from Civil Air Patrol for the airport rededication ceremony. The Tri-County
Senior Squadron (based at the Walker airport) hosted a pancake breakfast reception and the Northland
Composite Squadron (based at the Bemidji airport) provided a cadet honor guard.

Civil Air Patrol leaders who attended the event included the North Central Region Vice Commander Colonel
Tom Weston, Minnesota Wing commander, Colonel Tom Theis, Vice Commander Major Jerry Rosendahl and
Group One Commander Lt. Col. Dave Odette.

When the congressman arrived (pictured

left), the cadet honor guard came to
attention and saluted, and in return, a
salute of respect was given back to the
honor guard by the Congressman. This
highly visible moment of mutual respect
was observed by the public.

The city airport commission presented

the congressman with a plague. The
congressman then addressed the public.
When the congressman spoke he
acknowledged the contributions Civil Air
Patrol has made to the nation. He
commented that the youth of day
needed to be trained to be the leaders in
aviation in the future.

North Central Region creates on-line forum for Health Services Officers
Capt Chris Havran, the region’s Health Services Officer (HSO) recently created a special forum for HSO’s on
Yahoo! Groups. This forum is for current Health Services / Medical / Nurse Officers - and their assistants -
throughout the region to communicate and exchange ideas with one another.

Membership in Civil Air Patrol and appointment as a Health Services / Medical / Nurse Officer (or assistant
Health Services Officer) within the North Central Region is required for group membership.

To join, please send an e-mail with your name, CAPID, unit and duty assignment - from the home page
( http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NCR_HSOs/ )

NCR News October 2008 Page 8

Dining Out banquet: Best praises CAP system
Brad Swenson Bemidji Pioneer
Published Sunday, October 12, 2008 (reprinted with permission)
Capt. Terrence Best, squadron commander of the
Northland Composite Squadron of the Civil Air
Patrol based in Bemidji tells of the need for a
system in place to succeed, and CAP provides that
system, during his keynote remarks Saturday night
at the squadron’s Dining Out banquet at Bemidji
State University. Pioneer Photo/Brad Swenson
Best (pictured above) said he believes “the Civil Air
Patrol has a system of learning, and the cadets we
have here today show that they have a system.
They’re orderly, they’re respectful, and they’re kind.
They learned that through Civil Air Patrol.”
CAP, an U.S. Air Force auxiliary, offers its Cadet
Program for youth ages 12 to 21 in developing
leadership, community service and in emergency
services, such as aiding search and rescue
missions.
Cadets can move onto the Officer Program for
adults. That program offers training in emergency
services, First Aid, search and rescue, ground team
training, scanner and observer training, leadership
development and homeland security.
“Civil Air Patrol has a military system, but that can
be spun off from when we’re not performing a
function,” said Best, who is an anesthesiologist at
North Country Regional Hospital.
CAP has three missions, he said: Aerospace,
emergency services and cadet programs.
Cadets are taught model rocketry, aerodynamics
and the principles of flight. Qualifying cadets learn
to fly a Cessna 172 at age 16. Cadets participate in
search and rescue exercises locally and statewide,
NCR News October 2008
go through a winter encampment “boot camp,” and
learn survival techniques.
“They’re taught discipline, they have a plan,” Best
said. “They go to leadership labs. Service before
self, respect for themselves and others …
mentoring.”
Dining Out is a formal banquet held to maintain and
build espirit de corps and camaraderie among the
squadron members and to introduce invited
community members to the history, customs and
traditions of the Civil Air Patrol. It receives no state
or federal funds, and must rely on donations. The
Air Force does contribute government surplus
equipment and uniforms.
Best said the local squadron nearly folded about
two years ago when it had only eight cadets.
Through hard work and recruiting, the Northland
Composite Squadron now stands at nearly 60
members. It is one of 23 squadrons in Minnesota,
and the fifth largest.
From left are Betty Dunbar, widow of Bob Dunbar; Bernadette
Jorstad, widow of Bob Jorstad; and, Capt. Terrence Best,
squadron commander.
Widows of the squadron’s early founders were
honored guests and given bouquets and special
recognition. They include Bernadette Jorstad,
widow of Bob Jorstad, and Betty Dunbar, widow of
Bob Dunbar. Unable to attend was Sally Steffen,
widow of Woodrow Steffen.
“To our honored guests, Mrs. Dunbar and Mrs.
Jorstad, your husbands had a dream and a mission
— it’s in good hands,” Best said. “I want to thank
you for helping us keep the dream alive and
perform our mission.”
Page 9
Dining Out, continued from page 9
Just since June, Bemidji CAP senior volunteer
hours have totaled more than 3,500 hours and
cadets have performed more than two community
service projects a month, such as Beltrami County
Fair parking assistance and wheelchair brigade,
United Way events and helping the Paul Bunyan
Fish Fry.
The squadron also participated in 21 Wing activities
in the last 12 months, with local members serving
as staff for 18 of those activities.
Several community members also praised the local
CAP for reinvigorating itself and in providing
community service.
State Rep. Larry Howes, R-Walker, said one of the
reasons he sought public office was to learn more
about community efforts that work, such as CAP
and to honor them.
Howes has carried legislation for the Minnesota
Conservation Corps, another youth organization,
and was able to take it out of state government and
create it as a private entity. “They are thrilled to
death, an d they are succeeding as a private entity.”
He called the CAP as part “of a giant wheel” of
private sector entities that volunteer thousands of
volunteer hours for the betterment of their
community. “They don’t get any taxpayer dollars —
they do this all on their own and they do an
outstanding job.”
Bemidji Mayor Richard Lehmann said he wanted to
“stand before you and say thank your for the
service that you provide for our community. I know
that our young Civil Air Patrol cadets are at so
many of our functions, whether it’s something going
on down at the waterfront or Beltrami County Fair or
any of a multitude of events that are happening
here.”
NCR News October 2008
CAP discipline is shown through their actions and
efforts to their work, Lehmann said. “We need them
to be the leaders, and they are forming themselves
into our leaders of the future.”
The United Way of Bemidji Area has been
supporting the Civil Air Patrol for the last three
years, said Executive Director Ashli Bowen.
“If you’ve ever had a moment to see the youth and
adults in action, it’s truly privilege,” Bowen said.
“Just to see that this community taking pride is
showing you that have great morals and great
values, that they have respect for other people and
most important that they have respect for
themselves as well in our community.”
CAP volunteers in the community and expects
nothing in return, she said. “You’re out there, you’re
in the community, you care about the community,
and that’s really important.”
A number of awards were given, including a special
award to Capt. Kenneth Hartwig who is retiring as
the squadron’s communications officer.
Cadet awards included:
• Service Before Self — Kristin Schrader.
• High Speed Low Drag for self motivation —
Beau Braun.
• VFW Non-Commissioned Officer Award —
Master Sgt. Doug Coutlee.
• VFW Officer Award — 2nd Lt. Ethan
Sundquist.
• Air Force Association Sergeant’s Award —
Staff Sgt. Eric Heinonen.
• Hartwig Cadet of the Year Runner Up —
Kristin Schrader
• Hartwig Cadet of the Year Award —
Rebekah Schrader.
• Billy Mitchell Award — C/2nd Lt. Ethan
Sundquist.
Also, the squadron, in “re-investing back into the
community,” presented a $250 check to Beltrami
County Sheriff Phil Hodapp and Emergency
Services Director Beryl Wernberg for the Beltrami
County Community Guard.
Page 10
St. Cloud officer graduates from
Blue Beret Academy
Capt Richard Sprouse
Public Affairs Officer, Group 2, Minnesota Wing
A record turnout of Civil Air Patrol Cadets and
Senior Officers representing 38 Wings from
around the world participated in the National
Blue Beret Academy 2008 in Oshkosh,
Wisconsin playing a key role in the success of
the world’s largest air show, The Experimental
Aircraft Association (EAS) AirVenture
Oshkosh.
"National Blue Beret
is truly an amazing
experience" said
Captain Shawn
Warneke (left), CAP
Officer and pilot
from Minnesota
Wing’s St. Cloud
Composite
Squadron.
Warneke said that
all of the attendees,
Cadets (those ages
12 to19) as well as
the Senior members were very motivated,
disciplined and a very dedicated group.
This year’s EAA event known as the "World’s
Greatest Aviation Celebration” attracted
aviation enthusiasts from over 75 countries
and drew record crowds despite high gas
prices and a struggling economy.
To be considered for the Blue Beret members
over the age of 16 must apply and then are
very carefully screened before being officially
invited to attend. Attendees generally are
responsible for paying their own expenses.
Those attending Blue Beret are able to see all
three of Civil Air Patrol’s missions - aerospace
education, emergency services and cadet
programs - in action.
"What begins as an encampment-like
atmosphere with intense training soon
NCR News
transitions into a mission in which leaders are
chosen and ‘flights’ or teams are formed,"
Warneke said. Specific duties are then
assigned to each flight.
Duties included kitchen duty, facility access
control, aircraft marshalling, and emergency
services including first aid and search and
rescue duties.
Captain Warneke, having a background in
aircraft marshalling was placed in command of
a flight of CAP Cadets and Seniors charged
with the marshalling and safety of all arriving
and departing flights. During the 2 weeks on
duty Warneke’s flight team marshaled over
10,000 aircraft safely in and out of the
Oshkosh Airport.
In addition, the personnel were credited with
locating 33 overdue flights and 14 ELT
locations of missing aircraft.
Two special details this year involved cadets
serving as escorts for Harrison
Ford and John Travolta, both of whom are
aviation enthusiasts.
Graduates of the Blue Beret program received
a special commendation and a thank you from
the Warbirds, and the Air Force Office of
Special Investigations adding that they were so
impressed that they wish to return and work
more with the CAP cadets and their programs.
As a graduate of the Blue Beret program
Warneke was presented with his personal Blue
Beret, which becomes an official part of the
CAP uniform and worn only by graduates of
the academy.
Also, Warneke's flight team was awarded
"Honor Flight" status for its performance and
achievement throughout the Blue Beret
program.
October 2008 Page 11
Viking Squadron Aerial Imaging
Training
By 2d Lt. Erik Lindquist
Public Affairs Officer
Viking Squadron, Minnesota Wing
Viking Squadron has put a high emphasis on
training its flight crews to be proficient in the use of
Aerial Imaging (AI) equipment during flights.
As with all electronic equipment, there is a learning
curve to work out all the little bugs in order to form a
workable understanding of the process. Aerial
imaging offers so much potential support for
federal, state, and local government.
st
Squadron Emergency Officer 1 Lt Mario Fabrizio reviews aerial
imaging equipment with flight crewmembers.
There are great advantages of taking aerial
photographs and being able to download them from
the airplane to a ground center for review. It is an
effective way to communicate with ground teams,
firefighters, law enforcement, and government
officials what challenges they might face on the
ground.
Having trained aircrews increases the effectiveness
of this air to ground communication. Whether it is
to view damage to structures, floodwaters, forest
fires, grass fires, building fires, animal populations,
plane crashes, vehicle crashes, and missing
persons, the scenarios seem endless.
Being able to take clear photographs, record them,
and transmit them to the ground while you are
bouncing around in the back seat of the airplane
can be a challenging task.
Viking squadron emergency services officers have
set a goal to effectively train and qualify all flight
crewmembers in AI training using a variety of
methods on the ground as well as in the air.
NCR News
The squadron continues to improve itself in order to
effectively serve the community when called upon.
Viking Squadron Cadets
Participate with O-Flights
By 2d Lt. Erik Lindquist
Public Affairs Officer
Viking Squadron, Minnesota Wing
(L-R) C/SSgt Lydia Wiff, Major Brent Halweg, and C/AMN Drake
Willis just after an Orientation Flight.
Viking squadron cadets continue to enjoy taking
advantage of their great opportunity to participate in
orientation flights.
Also known as O-flights, these flights are offered to
cadet members of the US Air Force Auxiliary Civil
Air Patrol. The program is voluntary and primarily
motivational and it should stimulate an interest in
general aviation and aerospace activities. The
program is offered to cadets between the ages of
12 – 18 years of age.
The goal of the cadet orientation flight program is to
introduce youth to flying through hands-on
orientation flights in single engine aircraft and
gliders. Each cadet is offered (free of charge to
them) five single engine aircraft flights and five
glider flights.
These flights are intended to stimulate the cadet’s
interest in aviation, and many cadets find
themselves going on to attending wing flight
academies where cadets can learn to fly. For many
cadets the program is a stepping-stone to a career
or private participation in aviation.
Many of their fondest and earliest memories of
aviation will be formed with this great program.
October 2008 Page 12
NCR News October 2008 Page 13