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June 27, 2009
CAP at "The Taste" a huge success
This year marks Illinois Wing's first time participating in Chicago's premier summer event, Taste of Chicago. According to the Wing's project officer, Lt. Col. Connie Kelly, it is a smashing success.
Kelly said, "In our first day alone we helped kids of all ages make over 500 model rocket kits and 150 soda straw ring wings. I ran out of material and had to stop after today's exhibit to buy additional supplies for tomorrow and next weekend." She further stated that the CAP tent was packed with children, and parents, from the event's opening at 11:00 am to closing at 7:00 pm.
The CAP tent is located in the Family Village located at the corner of Jackson Drive and Michigan Avenue, just south of the Art Institute. A map of the venue is available at: http://tasteofchicago09.cloudapp.net/Map.aspx CAP will exhibit during the following times:
SUN 28 JUN 1100 -- 1900 CDT
SAT 04 JUL 1530 -- 1900 CDT
SUN 05 JUL 1100 -- 1800 CDT
In addition to the completed aerospace projects, each child received a CAP brochure.
Many, including parents, expressed an interest in joining CAP.
Kelly handled all of today's crowds with the help of only three cadets. More people are needed for the remaining events. Several squadrons have pledged their aid, but more cadets and seniors might be needed. Members interested in helping out should contact Lt. Col. Kelly at 312-919-1062 (cellular) or constance.kelly@comcast.net.
Plans are in place to invite local media to make a special visit to the CAP display during next weekend's hours of operation.
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June 24, 2009
2009 SAR/DR Eval Mission Results
Col Gordon Larson, IL Wing Commander, is pleased to release the results of the 2009 SAR/DR Eval mission held in May 2009. He wants to once again congratulate all those who were involved in the mission that resulted in an overall Excellent rating for the wing.
SAR/DR EVAL REPORT
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June 23, 2009
Illinois Wing Joins Missing Person Search
Cobden, Ill -- Illinois Wing Operations section has been activated to participate in a search for 92-year-old Raymond Baggott. Cobden is located in Union County Illinois in extreme Southwest Illinois. Officials report that he is legally blind and suffering from Alzheimer's.
Search crews have been briefed that Baggott was last seen at his home at 3500 Wing Hill Road and was reported missing on Tuesday at 6:00 am CDT. He was reported to be 5'6" tall, weighing 135 pounds with gray hair. He was wearing a red and black cap, white button up shirt, Khaki pants and black tennis shoes.
The mission Incident Commander, Lt Col Rick Oeth, is enroute to the search location. Wing Emergency Services Officer, Maj Bob Taylor, is coordinating preliminary call ins from air and ground crews until the IC reaches the search site.
Maj Taylor stated that as of this report, one aircraft, with mission crew, is enroute along with an 11 member ground team. Additional resources may be requested from nearby Missouri and Kentucky Wings. Further information will be released via e-letters and the PAO Website at http://ilwg.cap.gov/pao.
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June 1, 2009
Source: AVwebFlash 6/1/2009
NTSB WIDENS PUBLIC ACCESS TO CRASH INVESTIGATION INFO
Starting June 1, 2009, the NTSB will begin to release on its public Web site all public dockets regarding to accident investigation. The program helps align the board with the NTSB Freedom of Information Act Improvement Plan and follows closely on the much publicized contortions the FAA went through in considering the withholding of and then providing access to bird-strike data. It also moves the board into compliance with multiple mandates of the legislative and executive branches that are meant to better leverage electronic media to create more transparency in government. Acting NTSB Chairman, Mark V. Rosenker, put the board behind the move saying, "I am proud that the NTSB is taking this enormous step forward by making all accident investigation documents contained in our public dockets available to NTSB Web site visitors." The public dockets will be available in the FOIA electronic reading room.
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June 1, 2009
Google News Alert for: civil air patrol
Missing plane, body of pilot found in Southwest Virginia
Kingsport Times News - Kingsport, TN, USA
By Steve Igo
Civil Air Patrol's Charlie Glass prepares to search for a downed aircraft Sunday. Glass spotted the wreckage of a private plane missing since ...
See all stories on this topic
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May 23, 2009
Civil Air Patrol processor adapted for Tactical Satellite-3
by Michael Kleiman
377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
4/22/2009 - KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- What do Civil Air Patrol planes have in common with Tactical Satellite-3?
Both utilize the same onboard processing.
Adapted for functionality in the cosmos for the upcoming TacSat-3 mission by Space Computer Corp., Los Angeles, Calif., and the Air Force Research Laboratory's Space Vehicles Directorate here and Sensors Directorate, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, the Airborne Real-time Cueing Hyperspectral Enhanced Reconnaissance system has been employed by the Civil Air Patrol for search and rescue, homeland security and disaster impact appraisal and aid operations.
On the satellite, the ARCHER processing will serve as the "brains" behind the main payload, the Advanced Responsive Tactically-Effective Military Imaging Spectrometer, which will demonstrate data transmission to the warfighter on the ground within 10 minutes, following a single-pass collection opportunity on the target of interest.
(more) ...
May 23, 2009
New IG Pamphlet Available
Illinois Wing Inspector General, Col. Jay R. Burrell, announced that NHQ has released a new version of CAPP 203 IG Specialty Track Study Guide dated May 11, 2009. He suggests that all Group and Squadron IGs review the pamphlet regardless of their IG specialty rating.
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May 22, 2009
Leaders issue Memorial Day message
SAN ANTONIO (AFNS) -- The Air Force's top leaders remember those who have
been killed, wounded or permanently disabled in a Memorial Day message today.
Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen.
Norton Schwartz issued the following message:
"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so
few." These famous words were uttered by British Prime Minister Winston
Churchill on Aug. 20, 1940, to the House of Commons during the height of the
Battle of Britain. He was referring to the daring British airmen whose
courageous actions against overwhelming odds dealt the seemingly invincible
Nazi war machine its first defeat.
"Americans owe a similar debt of gratitude to the over one million Soldiers,
Sailors, Coast Guardsmen, Marines and Airmen who have made the ultimate
sacrifice in defense of freedom since this nation's inception. The Air Force
and its joint teammates have been continuously deployed for over 18 years,
and many of us have gone in harm's way. Some of our courageous comrades were
killed, others wounded and some permanently disabled. They and their
families deserve our continued heartfelt thanks and unqualified support.
"As a nation and as a service, we must never forget the sacrifice of our
fallen and wounded. Today, let us renew our pledge to take care of the
husbands, wives, sons and daughters who struggle on, reaching out in the
solidarity and kinship of military service.
"This Memorial Day, please join us in pausing to remember our fellow
warriors who gave of themselves to secure the blessings of liberty for all.
So much is indeed owed by so many to so few."
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May 22, 2009
CAP national commander shares Memorial Day message
Dear CAP Volunteer:
Join me May 25 in observance of one of the most important days of the year – Memorial Day. It is on this day – the last Monday of May – that we pause to honor the hundreds of thousands of courageous men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who have died in defense of America, in wars and other military service. Their ultimate sacrifice must not go unnoticed. Because of them, we enjoy many freedoms today. They paid for those freedoms with their lives.
I encourage you to take time during this holiday weekend to honor America’s fallen heroes. Many of you, especially our combat veterans, know the importance of such a remembrance. You have fought and served courageously alongside these men and women, both at home and abroad. We salute you on this day as well.
Some of the American heroes that we remember today served their country in World War II as members of the Coastal Patrol, which later became the Civil Air Patrol. They were volunteer aviators who, inspired by the highest sense of patriotism and pride in their mission, valiantly defended their homeland by acting as sub-chasers along America’s shores. Fifty-nine members of these brave aircrews died; 26 were lost at sea. Their legacy of selfless service to country led to Public Law 557, which made CAP the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force soon after the war ended.
We are proud of this legacy of volunteer service, and equally proud of our partnership with the U.S. Air Force. Whatever the need and whenever the call, you are always vigilant in your service to America. It is a commitment that now spans seven decades and one that we celebrate this Memorial Day, as we pause to remember all who gave so much.
Always vigilant!
Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter
CAP National Commander
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May 21, 2009
Illinois Wing rated Outstanding in Survey Audit
Illinois Wing Commander, Col. Gordon A. Larson, extends his congratulations to the Logistics and Communications sections of Wing Staff for having achieved a rating of Outstanding on the 2009 Survey Audit conducted by CAP-USAF Great Lakes Liaison Region. The audit took place at Wing Headquarters on May 16 and the official report was released yesterday.
In an email message, CAP-USAF State Director, Mr. Geoffrey B. Biedermann, said, "Wing Staff members 1st. Lt. Kevin L. Stebbins (LG), Maj. David C. Picek (DC) and Lt. Col. James P. Weiland (DCL) [especially] deserve kudos along with all of the group and squadron commanders who really helped by getting their paperwork in on time."
In one of the several Commendable comments, the report stated, "All assets were stored by make, model and then serial number. This created a streamline effect and allowed inspection of 394 assets in less than two hours. Maj. David Picek and Lt. Col. James Weiland were very knowledgeable and helpful."
Eight field units were specifically reviewed in the audit including: Lake County Composite Squadron; Palwaukee Composite Squadron; Williamson County Composite Squadron; Civic Memorial Composite Squadron; Scott Composite Squadron; Group 22 Headquarters; 286th Composite Squadron, and Jefferson County Composite Squadron. All units passed with flying colors and a rating of Successful.
Several Wing aircraft and vehicles were inspected and passed with, "No major discrepancies noted," according to the report
2009 Survey Audit Report
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May 13, 2009
NEWS: House passes bill to expand CAP homeland security role
WASHINGTON — A bill by U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.) requiring an assessment of how Civil Air Patrol can support homeland security missions was approved May 12 by the House of Representatives.
Dent is a member of both the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Homeland Security Committee.
The bill, H.R. 1178, directs the U.S. Government Accountability Office to study the ways CAP may assist state, local and tribal governments and the Department of Homeland Security by:
Providing aerial reconnaissance or communication capabilities for border security.
Providing assistance in a collective response effort, including damage assessment, search and rescue, and evacuations.
Assisting in departmental training exercises.
GAO’s report to Congress must assess the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of utilizing CAP assets and the ability of federal and state agencies to request CAP support.
Upon completion, DHS must review and analyze the report and, within 90 days, submit recommendations to the Congress for further action.
Dent has long advocated the use of CAP pilots and aircraft for homeland security missions. He conceived this legislation in 2007 after a visit to the border town of Laredo, Texas, to address concerns U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers had raised to him, saying they lacked sufficient aviation assets and resources for their important mission.
“Continuing a proud tradition, a CAP force of 57,000 volunteers and over 500 aircraft across the country stand ready to support the nation’s homeland security mission,” Dent said. “I believe this study will find that using CAP resources to bolster our border security and assist in disaster response is a sensible and cost-effective measure.”
Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter, CAP national commander, said, “The passage of Congressman Dent's Civil Air Patrol Homeland Security bill in the House today marks a major step forward in ensuring that Civil Air Patrol's emergency capabilities are fully utilized by all federal agencies.
“With 550 aircraft, thousands of trained and experienced aircrews and a nationwide communications system, CAP can be a valuable component of our national defense.”
By CAP National Headquarters Public Affairs
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