Summer 2007
The Official Magazine of California Wing Civil Air Patrol
The Height of Heritage Digging Aviation Archaeology
Tip of the Wing’s Sword “Saber” Training in NorCal Top Five Finds It’s ESsy Time Again
Plus: • Taking Courage from Col. Fred Pitcher • Legally Deploying Cadets • Watching the Skies with Lt. Kevin Lowther EAGLE EYE Mission 05M--21552155––1212 NovNov 0505 –– NearNear twentytwenty--ninenine Palms,Palms, cAcA 2 2nd Annual
ESsy Awards FoR PReLiMiNARy USe oNLy 12 Nov 05 84 rADEs/oLAD ES Squadron of the Year 5
Eagle Call is an authorized publication serving the ES101 7 interests of the California Wing of the United States The Cutting Edge of Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol. A private firm that Ground Team Training is not connected with the Department of the Air Force or with the Civil Air Patrol Corporation publishes it. The appearance of advertisements in this publication, including supplements and inserts, does not constitute CAPTAIN’S LOG 16 an endorsement by the U.S. Air Force or CAP of the Redcap in Review products and services advertised herein.
Eagle Call encourages contributions from all CAP members, military personnel, and related agencies. ATTITUDE 21 Material must be original, free of copyright constraint, Raise Funds, unpublished, and submitted only to Eagle Call, which reserves the right to approve, reject, edit, abridge or Not Eyebrows expand any submission. Features must be discussed in advance with the Editor, Capt. Greg Solman, at 909- 338-5789. COLUMN 27
Submission guidelines: As a thrice-yearly publication, Bird’s Eye View the magazine is not suitable for dated material on rou- tine Squadron or Wing activities. PAOs and other cor- respondents should generally avoid first-person voice CADET COSMOS 28 and subjects typical of newsletters. Use the Associated Feet on the Ground, Eyes 2 Press Stylebook or read the latest magazine for style on the Skies 1 4 points. Never imbed photographs within documents 3 unless jpgs are also submitted separately. Always 6 Drilled to Perfection 31 5 8 include contact information at the top of copy. Articles should include .jpg-extension photos of a minimum 7 10 500K. Email editorial to [email protected]. 9 12 Other material should be sent California Wing Civil FIELD MANUAL 33 11 14 Air Patrol, P.O. Box 7688, Van Nuys, CA 91409. For Aviation Archaeology 13 16 information on advertising rates and space availability, Unearthed 15 18 please call 800-635-6036. 17 20 19 Lt. Col. Jesus Muniz 22 21 Acting Wing Commander WING WATCH 37 24 23 26 Capt. Frank Geraty Passing Along Inspiration 25 28 Director of Public Affairs, Publisher 27 30 29 32 Capt. Gregory Solman, Editor RE:CAP 41 31 34 A California Wing Fly-By 33 Capt. Chris Storey 36 35 Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Associate Editor 38 37 40 39 Maj. Sam Seneviratne ON THE COVER: The Air Force Heritage 42 Technical & Scientific Editor 41 44 Flight, Naval Air Station, Point Mugu. Photo by 2nd Lt. Kevin Lowther. 43 46 45 48 47 50 49 52 1 51 54 53 56 55
EAGLE EYE
Five Missions That Tested Manpower and Mettle sy Awards ESBy Capt. Gregory Solman, Eagle Call Editor Eagle Call’s 2nd Annual ESsy Awards for Excellence in Emergency Services Recognize the Historic Mission of the Civil Air Patrol in California Wing’s Best Teams
ANTA MONICA— A Lancair that left Gillespie Field Virg.—as it does so often for the moody October day in 2005 near San Diego for Scottsdale, routine necessity of silencing Smust have seemed good Ariz., never returned. emergency locator transmitters enough for firing up a private plane The Air Force Rescue (ELTs)—called upon the most to fly to a public air show. But the Coordination Center in Langley, Continued on page 9 . . .
MissionMission 05M05M--21552155––1212 NovNov 0505 –– NearNear twentytwenty--ninenine Palms,Palms, cAcA 2 4 1 6 5 8 7 10 9 12 11 14 13 16 15 18 17 20 19 22 21 24 23 26 25 28 27 30 29 32 31 34 33 36 35 38 37 40 39 42 41 44 43 46 RESTING IN GREEN PASTURES: An ELT mission that became a fatal Mooney crash (L) near 45 48 Pinnacles. CAWG ICs sometimes use radar tracking (above) to trace Last-Known Positions. 47 50 49 52 51 54 FoR PReLiMiNARy USe oNLy 12 Nov 05 84 rADEs/oLAD 53 56 3 55 ES SQUADRON OF THE YEAR: Saddleback Composite Squadron 68, Costa Mesa
rafting on the contrail of the aircrew team of 1st Lts. Tolga DTarhan and Rick Woods (above, R-L), as well as the ground team and urban direction find- ing work of 1st Lt. Keith Jackson (with radio), Saddleback Composite Squadron 68, Costa Mesa, is ES Squadron of the Year. Capt. Bob Keilholtz, who acted as Director of Emergency Services during
2 4 1 6 3 8 7 10 the ES year, cited Lts. Woods and Tarhan’s expeditious and profession- 9 12 11 14 al prosecution of missions, but also their willingness to fly at a moment’s 13 16 15 18 notice, even if it meant traveling to nearby squadrons when no aircraft 17 20 19 22 was available locally. Jackson credits 1st Lt. Rich Lovick of Group 21 24 23 26 7 for partnering with him on mis- sions and mentoring his work. 25 28 27 30 29 32 31 34 5 33 36 35 38 37 40 39 42 41 44 43 46 45 48 47 50 49 52 51 54 53 56 55 eS101 The Cutting Edge of Ground Team Training
ON THE MARCH: The Saber program trains cadets as well as senior members.
By Lt. Col. William H. Correll and Maj. Arthur D. King Designed by Veterans to Rise Above CAP’s ES Curriculum, A NorCal Squadron’s ‘Saber’ School Elevates Training Standards
ATHROP—For members of to all squadron calls that work their expectations, would quickly Sierra Composite Squadron or school allows. That’s the com- fade because of the irregularity of L72, the word “saber” does mitment necessary to be “SQ72 CAP mission duties. They knew not evoke the sword of mounted Saber”-qualified. the program needed to be chal- cavalry but more than a year of hard Saber was initiated in 1998 by lenging, exciting, and fun for work mastering the skills of “Saber” two CAP officers, both military senior members and cadets, and (Search Airborne Emergency veterans, discussing their past needed to continue apace through Rescue) required to be an elite volun- training experiences. They had, each program year. teer Emergency services professional since their discharges, continued The concept evolved into pro- for the Civil Air Patrol. to train beyond CAP’s minimal gram with a core course of four And as tough as it is to pass set of skills in order to maintain classroom training periods and the program, the work doesn’t an edge. They considered how to two weekend search-and-rescue end at the completion of training: adapt ES training to suit CAP’s exercises. The program would be To maintain Saber qualifications particular needs, both because progressively challenging each members must continue the high they considered the ES training year. First-year candidates would tempo by repeating the training lacking, and because they sensed complete all the skill sets required each and every year and answer that any expertise, however below Continued on page 52 . . .
7 EAGLE EYE
ESsy Awards Continued from page 3. . .
active branch of its Air Force to follow—one of which turned A sheriff reported sight- Auxiliary, the California Wing of out to be a bad trail to Yuma ing a plane off Interstate 8. He the Civil Air Patrol. (see graphics)—he knew a lot of was wrong. “We had a credible The workhorse Incident ground could be covered quickly. sighting along with an accurately Commander who undertook the “The Lancair is like an SR22 represented radar site,” Keilholtz AFRCC Mission 05M2001, Capt. on steroids,” Keilholtz said. “It’s recalled. “So we went in the direc- Bob Keilholtz would by the end got a turbo-charged engine and tion where we could have gone.” of the emergency services year cruises at 300 miles per hour. It’s A ground team started out near (October 1-September 30) perform an impressive, sleek, and probably the Colorado River at night to be that duty on nearly a quarter of the unforgiving aircraft.” closer to potential survivors who Wing’s missions. Keilholtz had all night to might be lighting signal fires. The pilot, traveling with two develop the radar tracks and coor- Keilholtz launched seven air- other people and a dog, filed no dinate with the San Diego County craft that flew more than a day flight plan. The aircraft’s ELT Sheriff’s department, which combined, plus a ground team—33 emitted a distress signal too weak offered a helicopter. But prosecut- CAP personnel in all. They flew an to be picked up by satellite. Even ing the mission would be tricky. expanding-circle search to cover though Keilholtz had radar tracks The weather was “really crappy.” ground. At morning light a fourth
2 1 4 3 6 5 8 7 10 9 12 11 14 13 16 15 18 17 20 19 22 21 24 23 26 25 28 27 30 29 32 31 34 33 36 35 38 37 40 39 42 41 44 43 46 45 48 47 50 49 52 51 54 53 56 55 ZEROING IN: A graphic example of Intelligence gathering and development prior to launching resources.
9 EAGLE EYE
OFF THE TRAIL: A credible lead dispatched a ground team to the Arizona border. Fortunately, CAWG’s ICs did not place all their eggs in one basket.
2 1 4 3 6 5 8 7 10 9 12 11 14 13 16 15 18 17 20 19 22 21 24 23 26 25 28 27 30 29 32 31 34 33 36 35 38 37 40 39 42 41 44 43 46 45 48 47 50 49 11 52 51 54 53 56 55 EAGLE EYE
ESsy Awards Continued . . . radar track narrowed the search area to move quickly and efficiently.” ed the unauthorized departure to to a seven-and-a-half mile square As Keilholtz sees it, radar the FAA, which passed it to the grid in the Anza-Borrego desert, tracking assists, rather than AFRCC, which called California not far from the Borrego Springs. supplants, CAP’s ES mission. Wing’s Wing Mission Alerting Keilholtz tasked one of his most “Sometimes we have to go back to Officer on duty, who called called-upon crew to launch out of the basics.” Keilholtz. From there the page Palm Springs Composite Squadron For example, a good old-fash- went out to two of most experi- 11. They found the wreckage—and ioned pseudo-“Save” in February, enced SAR men in the area, Cols. no survivors—only an hour after 2006, involving the colorful tale of Joe Orchard and Bill Hartmann, wheels up. the Big Bear boys and the Missing who start every search at altitude, “Luckily, we didn’t put our Mooney. A 14-year-old would-be 6,750 feet in the mountains above eggs in the same basket,” Keilholtz pilot grabbed a buddy and stole San Bernardino. surmised. “They reworked another his dad’s plane for a joy ride, a With, naturally, no flight plan radar track at our request, but it’s great way of sticking it to the old or radar tracking, Orchard and important to emphasize that we man…provided at least one of Hartmann quickly reverted to the can’t sit back and wait for radar them knows how to fly. old ways: trigonometry and intel- track. Whether we have them According to Keilholtz, the ligence. Expecting the worst (pre- or not—and they’re not always Incident Commander, the father dicting a crash) the men quickly right—there’s an absolute necessity had seen them take off and report- figured out the greatest distance
2 1 4 3 6 5 8 7 10 9 12 11 14 13 16 15 18 17 20 19 22 21 24 23 26 25 28 27 30 29 32 31 34 33 36 35 38 37 40 39 42 41 44 43 46 45 48 47 50 49 52 51 54 53 56 55 COOPERATION: The 84th Radar Evaluation Squadron often helps CAP prosecute its missions, as in this important search for a missing glider (see photo, page 15) on 9,399 foot Mount Baden-Powell in the San Gabriel Mountains.
13 EAGLE EYE
on a flight from Watsonville, to Plainview, Tex., one person aboard, is overdue. And, just for fun, here’s a third ELT northeast of the Salinas VOR. Capt. Robert Grehan and Maj. Laurence Steffan in Capflight 424 launch and pick up one ELT signal, pegging it at 7 miles northeast of the Pinnacles, in the middle of nowhere. “Because of the remote location and terrain, ESsy Awards they remained on station to pro- Continued . . . vide support to the ground teams,” said Asche. the Mooney could fly-to-dry on And sometimes missions end The ground team is in so deep, a quarter tank, pulled out their with no survivors, despite the deter- it decides to hunker down until first protractors, circled the still vast mination, depth, and resourceful light. Maj. Jon Wordsworth said it potential area around the Last- of CAP search-and-rescue teams. 2 was one of the most grueling mis- Known Position, then scouted Lt. Col. Steve Asche came on as 1 4 sions he’d ever been on. A second the most obvious places inexpe- Incident Commander when mul- 3 6 flight, manned by Capt. Mark rienced pilots might try to make tiple ELTs turned into a missing- 5 8 Walters and 1st Lt. Michael Allen, an emergency landing. They told aircraft mission in March, 2006. 7 10 flies in to support the ground team, the National Park Police exactly “What sticks in my mind the most 9 12 spotting the wreckage then guid- where to go, and the two boys were about this mission is how it started 11 14 ing San Bonito County Sheriff found injured but alive where they out as ‘just another ELT mission,’ 13 16 and California Highway Patrol tried and failed to make an emer- the second one that day for me,” 15 18 resources to the site. gency landing, ten miles north of recalled Capt. Jim Anthony, Diablo 17 20 “We used many different fac- the Cottonwood Pass entrance to Composite Squadron 44, Concord, 19 22 ets of crew training that don’t often Joshua Tree National Monument. an early IC. “And how it escalated 21 24 get exercised,” recalled Anthony, That Orchard and Hartmann quickly to pulling resources from 23 26 adding tasks for which CAP SAR were not on the scene of the Save Groups 2, 4, 5, and 6. We used 25 28 teams are not typically trained, (and thus, ironically, could not aircrews, [urban] direction find- 27 30 such as helping the CHP recover even be offered a token Find) ing teams, ground teams, and 29 32 the victim and wrapping and is almost irrelevant, Keilholtz radio operators.” 31 34 hoisting the victim’s remains into argues, because they’d provided Col. Asche wrote that the 33 36 the helicopter. all the necessary intelligence to ELTs began in the area of Tracy 35 38 According to the NTSB inves- make it possible. or Salinas, prompting the launch 37 40 tigation, the pilot had logged 4,583 “This is back to the searching of UDF teams and aircraft and 39 42 hours, and though he was con- we used to do with the old E6B, airport checks in Tracy, Monterey, 41 44 vinced to stay overnight to avoid take a line and make a circle, Salinas and Hollister. Suddenly, 43 46 bad weather, he twice refused a determine all the micro-climates,” silence. “A ground team had been 45 48 checkout in what was, for him, a said Keilholtz, then the Wing’s launched to the Pinnacles National 47 50 brand new Mooney. He headed Director of Emergency Services. Monument,” said Asche. “They 49 52 toward Lancaster to avoid a storm. “It’s not about our getting credit, also were not hearing or receiving 51 54 By the time he’d arrived, accord- but the need to put people into the a signal.” 53 56 ing to local ranchers, the visibility hot areas as soon as possible. And That’s when the call came was under a mile. 55 the boys did survive.” in from the AFRCC: An aircraft Continued on page 23 . . .
15 CAPTAIN’S LOG
ANTA MONICA—Two The FAA received airborne T h r e e d a y s b e f o r e 2 of the first six months of ELT reports. An aircrew from Christmas, tragedy struck 1 4 the Emergency Services Bakersfield Composite 121 a pilot flying a Piper PA- 3 6 S 5 year yielded a rare respite: launched to investigate, along 28 from Yerington, Nev., to 8 zero missing-aircraft missions. with a ground teams from Inyo, heading eventually to 7 10 But the Governor’s Office of 121 and San Luis Obispo Santa Monica. Capts. Pat De 9 12 Emergency Services tasked Composite Squadron 103. Wees, Vic Wright and 1st Lt. 11 14 California Wing with two Before the signal could be tri- Mike Hyde of Merced County 13 15 18 counterbalancing missing-per- angulated the missing aircraft Composite Squadron 147 sons search-and-rescue mis- was found on the ground safe found the downed aircraft and 17 20 19 22 sions, both of which (unlike at Apple Valley. no survivor. To make matters most missing-A/C stories) had But that left another ELT worse, the pilot turned out to 21 24 23 happy endings. everyone was hearing, found be a member of CAP’s Nevada 26 25 N o n e t h e l e s s , t h e r e by Maj. Bob Miller, Chino Wing. Incident Commander Lt. 28 27 was enough of the ordi - Cadet Squadron 20, 1st Lts. Col. Ron Butts said the joint 30 29 nary work of the Wing to Tolga Tarhan, Rick Woods and mission with Nevada, despite 32 31 go around. In November, Senior Member Keith Jackson the result, was well prosecuted, 34 33 Incident Commander Maj. 36 of Saddleback Composite with the Last Known Position 35 38 Jon Wordsworth reported a Squadron 68, along with Senior calculated precisely with the 37 t h 40 Beechcraft BE-58 on a flight Member Michelle Streeter, in help of 84 R A DES Rada r 39 42 from San Jose to Bermuda a dismantled helicopter in a Evaluation Squadron (see 41 44 Dunes dropped off radar ten trucking yard, as far off track photo). “We had a lot of infor- 43 46 miles north of Lost Hills. as the Port of Long Beach. mation and it all panned out 45 48 47 50 49 16 52 51 54 53 56 55 correctly,” recalled Col. Butts. craft mission in February “The CAPFlight launched at that originated with a pilot’s first light and found the plane wife reporting him overdue within minutes.” on flight from Montgomery In January the U.S. Coast Field in San Diego to Borrego Guard requested CAP’s assis- Springs. A CAP ground team tance in clearing a 121.5 ELT triangulated the airplane’s somewhere in San Diego ELT to an area east of the Harbor that was interfering Julian VOR that Col. Asche with an ongoing search mission called “mountainous and inac- for a missing military helicop- cessible.” Capts. Keilholtz and ter and crew. Capts. Keilholtz Charpentier worked their rela- and Charpentier tracked the tionships with the San Diego signal to the U.S.S. Peleliu County Sheriff’s Dept., which (see photo) and cleared the provided a helicopter to find emergency band so the search- the crash site. The pilot did not FROM TURF TO SURF: A UDF team and-rescue could continue. survive. found an excuse to board the U.S.S. Lt. Cols. Steve Asche and In March Capts. Robin A. Peleliu. Photo, courtesy Peleliu Public Ron Butts ran a missing-air- Easton and Sue K. Willey, Affairs. San Jose Squadron 2 80, and the UDF Childers, Cable Composite 4 t e a m of C a p t . Squadron 25, to a location 1 6 Carl Gabrielson southeast of Lancaster that 3 8 a n d 2 n d L t . was “requested confidential” 5 10 Raymond Woo, by the NTSB upon arrival. As 7 12 Jon E . K ra mer if to insure compliance, one of 9 14 C o m p o s i t e the ground team members also 11 16 S q u a d r o n 1 0 , dispatched to the site was none 13 18 chased a n ELT other than Capt. Patrick Jones 15 20 to a Mooney near of Squadron 25—an NTSB 19 22 Palo Alto airport investigator in the salaried 21 24 that apparently world. 23 26 was a casualty of Big Ones that Got Away: 25 28 unusual accident Wing members got a dream 27 30 the night before, assignment that proved all too 29 32 when an aircraft evanescent. Lt. Col. Woody 31 34 s t r u c k t h r e e McCauley, Maj. Brian Stover, 33 36 others. Capt. Mike Lauer, Capt. Ted 35 38 D I G R E S S Ripp, all of San Fernando 37 40 F I N D S : A r e a Squadron 35, and Lt. Tarhan 39 42 52? An ELT in of Squadron 68, were ready 41 44 D e c e m b e r l e d and waiting to provide aerial 43 46 a i r c r e w M a j . reconnaissance for the return of 45 48 J o h n F i n d l e y the Space Shuttle Discovery in 47 50 and 2nd Lt. Al late December. But Discovery 49 52 51 54 53 The Air Force’s 84th Radar Evaluation 56 EARS TO THE GROUND: 55 Squadron assisted CAP on a pre-Christmas mission. Photo, courtesy U.S.A.F.
17 captain’s log
decided to land in Florida. of 2006 led aircrews to John Fernandez, Hawker Squadron Likewise, in February, Wayne International Airport 128, Van Nuys, followed a 406 Incident Commander Burt in Irvine then to Carlsbad, MHz EPIRB from Woodland Kingsbury was set to release then finally to the Inland Hills in the middle of the Maj. Diana Ward and 1st Lt. Empire, where new satellite Valley to a boat that had sunk John Watt, Shasta Composite merges were plotting near off the coast at the Los Angeles Squadron 146, to find a woman San Bernardino International and Ventura County line. missing in the mountains south- Airport (the old Norton AFB) According to the IC’s report east of Sierraville. But other then Ranch Santa Fe. In the the boat’s crew had abandoned ground teams found the miss- end Capt. Jon Stokes, San the ship and made land safely. ing woman prior to launch. Bernardino Squadron 5, and Meanwhile, the EPIRB floated Since no one-stars were 1st Lt. Misti Pitts, Group 3, topside, drifted all night, and a va ila b le: I n Febr u a r y El found the target in a garage was located and secured with Monte Airport was hearing an in Loma Linda. Capt. Bob the aid of the Coast Guard five ELT signal and the high-rank- Keilholtz, California Wing, miles at sea. ing Urban Direction Finding and Lts. Woods found an More swabo stories: I n team of Lt. Col. Valerie offending EPIRB two miles January Capt. Keilholtz, Hanley, Group 1 Commander, east of Carlsbad Airport in a Lt. Terpstra, and Capt. Tom and her husband (and Group 1 dumpster. In March, a signal Charpentier tracked a 406 officer in charge of Homeland detected near Fullerton Airport MHz EPIRB to North Island 2 Security), Capt. Paul Hanley, was located and silenced by Lt. Naval Air Station. The base 1 4 El Monte Composite Squadron Col. Pat Robinson, California searched itself with ground 3 6 21, found it in a Bellanca. Wing, and SM Streeter, Long electronics to no avail then 5 8 Since we take ourselves to Beach Squadron 150. Location: called in CAP. “The beacon 7 10 task: In February, 1st Lts. Don An airliner escape-slide recon- was located in a warehouse 9 12 Theriault and Jerry Stafford, ditioning facility in Anaheim. on a pallet stacked high on a 11 14 San Diego Squadron 57, chased (Good to know: heretofore one shelf,” reports Capt. Keilholtz. 13 16 ELTs through south and east could only imagine how many “The defective beacon was in 15 18 San Diego County until they airliner escape slides were the process of being returned 17 20 wound up at Brown Field and used to the point of needing for repairs with Post-It notes 19 22 found the target in a Border reconditioning.) placed on the beacon read- 21 24 Patrol helicopter. In February, These odd final resting i ng N E V E R T U R N O N!!!” 23 26 Lts. Woods and Tarhan were places seem almost normal. In Of cou rse, t he beacon had 25 28 about to launch for and ELT January, Capt. Keilholtz and been left in the “on” position. 27 30 plotting near an airstrip near 1st Lt. Shane Terpstra tracked Maybe a fourth exclamation 29 32 Bicycle Lake and Fort Irwin an EPIRB through West Los point would have done the 31 34 when it was secured in an Angeles and Santa Monica, trick. 33 36 Army MEDEVAC helicopter. to a thrift store near the 405 Source: Closing traffic. 35 38 In March Capt. Joe Burkhead, freeway. No word on the ask- Classified mission sorties not 37 40 Lt. Gregory Danielewicz and ing price. The two men also included, per OPSEC.—Capt. 39 42 Maj. Robert Thomas, Beale found a Magnum EPIRB at Greg Solman 41 44 (AFB) Composite Squadron Coast Waste Management in 43 46 19, and Capt. Louis Davies, Oceanside—no doubt discard- 45 48 Shasta Composite Squadron ed in shame by someone who 47 50 126, Redding, found another had to reluctantly admit he 49 52 ELT in an Army chopper on a couldn’t really use a Magnum. 51 54 ramp near Chico. CAP Adventures at Sea: 53 56 More fun places to hide In February, Capt. Mark 55 ELTs: One of the last missions McKibben and 1st Lt. Juan
19 CAWG’S OUTSTANDING CADETS: They make us proud—and could make us money. Photo by 2nd Lt. Kevin Lowther. Raise Funds, Not Eyebrows By Lt. Col. J. J. Gianquinto, California Wing Director of Legal Affairs
Putting CAWG’s Cadets on the Front Lines of Fundraising 2 Is Legal—and Profitable 1 4 3 6 A N N U Y S — M a n y other activities? How do we keep fundraising. But educate whom? 5 8 requests for authorization our cadets (or seniors, for that Public exposure to space missions 7 10 to conduct fundraising matter) interested in CAP when and rocketry in the era of NASA 9 12 V activities have been reviewed for the acronym comes to stand for TV and Hubblesite.org stands at 11 14 compliance with Civil Air Patrol “come and pay” rather than “come an all-time high. Californians 13 16 regulations and denied, typically and play?” even have the privilege of seeing 15 18 because the proposals fall outside Members who have been in rocket launches from Vandenberg 17 20 our mission. the program long enough may and shuttle descents at Edwards 19 22 Regulation CAPR 173-4 realize that the best advertisement from time to time, and so they’ve 21 24 establishes the parameters within for CAP is not its search-and-res- grown largely nonchalant. That’s 23 26 which units must operate to gen- cue missions, as dramatic as they not a promising platform for 25 28 erate funds. In those instances are. Only a small portion of the fundraising. 27 30 where units must be refused, country knows of these efforts, Charitable organizations have 29 32 Legal Affairs usually recom- and only a fraction of that (thank- their bake sales and car wash- 31 34 mends an awkward alternative: fully) has experienced the direct es—in fact, too many of them. 33 36 Conduct the activities as private benefit of SAR. Members can take The sight of volunteers showing 35 38 citizens, not as a distinguishable all the credit they wish for CAP’s up at the door to sell light bulbs, 37 40 part of CAP—including even any post-Katrina relief, or its duties in popcorn, candy bars has become 39 42 reference to CAP—then donate the wake of September 11th, or so commonplace that our friends 41 44 the net proceeds to the unit. Such following natural disasters that and neighbors hide whenever they 43 46 attempts may not succeed at gen- have befallen the nation. But, see us approaching with tickets in 45 48 erating the needed funds. again, only those who have been our pockets. Cadets can experi- 47 50 Without question, fundraising served by CAP can truly appreci- ence the same level of rejection on 49 52 restrictions can cause units to ate the value of what it provides. the road. 51 54 fall upon hard times. But what So what about another of our Still there’s hope. Major 53 56 is a unit to do when faced with primary missions? Aerospace corporations donate funds to 55 shortfalls for cadet training and Education can be a legal basis for Continued on page 25 . . .
21 EAGLE EYE
ESsy Awards Continued from page 15 . . . This year an ESsy goes to a improves.” in stretching the Wing’s depth cutting-edge Non-Distress Find Finally, call it the Modern Ides charts as routine in their execution. that utilized historically cultivated of March: Little did Keilholtz know But the sheer numbers—three relationships to solve a problem what he was in for when he accept- days, three aircraft, 23 personnel, sure to arise more often in the ed Incident Commander duty on 37 man-days, 20 UDF teams— future. In January, 2006, CAP March 16, 2006. An ELT showed raise a question more than ever helped the Newport Beach Police in Fillmore. Then it disappeared. It pertinent, considering the political Department locate an unregistered re-emerged in Pearblossom, send- sturm and drang of the day: What “Personal Locator Beacon” in a ing Capt. Patrick Jones to Compton would the U.S. Air Force do with- boat moored in the harbor. That Airport, where a Cessna 172 that out its Auxiliary? made it a Coast Guard mission crashed the week previous had initially, recalled Keilholtz, one of been moved into storage. Then it AFRCC Mission: 05M2001 two Incident Commanders (with popped up and Needles and Baker. Search days: 18-19 Oct 05. Col. Ron Butts). But when the Then stopped. The Air Force got Distress Find: Lancair N285JB, 3 signal landed, the police took over, another hit in San Diego, and that fatalities, no survivors. using a helicopter to get within one moved off to Tijuana, out of Location: 33° 23.6´ N x 116° 36. 6´ a half mile of the PLB. Having CAP territory. Another hit moved W, near Borrego Springs no DF-equipped ground teams, from Newport into the ocean. Now Mission supporting players: Col. they turned the mission over there’s one in Fullerton. Lt. Col. Ron Butts, Lt. Col. Steve Huss, to the Orange County Sheriff’s Pat Robinson silences it in a Super Lt. Shane Terpstra, Maj. Brian Department, who promptly called Drifter at Corona Airport. Stover, Lt. Tolga Tarhan, Maj. Joe the AFRCC and the Office of That must have been the cul- DiMento. Emergency Services and requested prit, right? Wrong. Now there’s And the ESsy goes to: Capt. Frank Civil Air Patrol. an ELT in Acton. Okay, maybe Tullo, Maj. Roy Hofheinz, and Lt. Col. Pat Robinson and 1st not. But the one in Los Angeles? Maj. Bruce Marble, Palm Springs Lt. Shane Terpstra, both attached That’s real. Col. Robinson, Capt. Squadron 11, Group 3. to California Wing, made the last Jones, Maj. Denise Edwards, Lt. mile possible. Juan Fernandez, and Capt. Mark AFRCC Mission: 06M0295 “It is a routine find in some McKibben end up in Long Beach Search day: 26 Feb 06 respect, but a true test of our Harbor where a Hughes 500 chop- Save: Not awarded to CAP, two relationship with the police and per is in a shipping container injured survivors, badly damaged sheriffs,” said Keilholtz, who headed for Guam. Mooney N6588U added that California Wing may That ought to do the trick… Location: Joshua Tree National have silenced the first PLB case until an ELT sounds in Palmdale, Monument in the country, a mission in Death then as mysteriously shuts off. Mission supporting players: Valley, more than three years ago. Then no sooner does the Long Capt. Bob Keilholtz “They’ve come to realize that Beach team depart, one starts up And the ESsy goes to: Lt. Col. we’re the experts and they’re not in Los Angeles again, and this Bill Hartmann and Lt. Col. Joe equipped. And it wouldn’t surprise time 1st Lts. Tolga Tarhan and Orchard, Big Bear Valley Com- me to see more of these in the Rick Woods head to Long Beach, posite Squadron 6750, Group 3. future.” only to find a DEA helicopter. “The cooperation between Mission 06M0400 isn’t over AFRCC Mission: 06M0454 CAP and law is continuing to yet. Torrance: On and off. Fresno: Search days: 25-26 Mar 06 grow and in some cases getting Ceased prior to locating. Mojave: Distress Find: Mooney M-10, better,” said Lt. Col. Ron Butts. Dead upon arrival. “One ELT may N9533V, one fatality, no survivors “Our ability to react has shown an have caused many of the spinoffs,” Location: 36° 35.2´ N x 121° 07.1´ increase, and our time to prosecute said Keilholtz, since it had been in W, 20 miles east of Salinas, 2,400 a mission has shown a decrease as transit in a shipping container.” feet altitude our training and ability to detect The missions were as unusual Mission supporting players:
23 EAGLE EYE / ATTITUDE
Raise Funds, Not Eyebrows Continued from page 21 . . . Capt. Jim Anthony, Maj. Jan Ostrat (ICs), Lt. Col. Bill Correll, community activities and orga- introduce a senior-member fund- Capt. Arthur King, 1st Lt. Candice nizations such as CAP. Service raising pitch. Having uniformed Tuttle, Hank Pielage clubs such as Rotary, Kiwanis, cadets present the colors can set And the ESsy goes to: Aircrews Lions, also fund projects they the stage for a presentation on Capt. Robert Grehan and Maj. deem worthy. Many of them the cadets and how they mature Laurence Steffan, 1st Lt. Michael require grant applications, and into senior members or citizens Allen, Marin Search and Rescue grant writing has become a spe- who otherwise protect or serve Composite Squadron 23, Novato; cial skill. And unless the unit our nation. The group might then Capt. Mark Walters, Redwood is fortunate enough to have a be more receptive to the hearing Empire Composite Squadron 157, grant-committee member within of the local unit’s value to the Santa Rosa; and Ground Teams it, the cold word on the page will community. Maj. Jon Wordsworth, Central likely be the only contact it has Even so, units should go Coast Group 4; Lt. Col. Beth Reis- with committees. The recent beyond the usual statistics Wordsworth, California Wing; National Board meeting in Reno, regarding the money CAP’s vol- 1st Lt. Keith Beard, Monterey Nevada, included seminars to unteerism saves the county, or Bay Cadet Squadron 60; 1st Lt. educate members on how to find California, or the community. Eugene Carlson, Merced County and apply for grants. But one Intersperse PowerPoint presenta- Composite Squadron 147; Maj. could argue that it’s not a game tions or slides. Show cadets at Rodger Coale, Maj. Jim Breedlove, for amateurs. encampment, along with photos 1st Lt. Scott Reckefus, 1st Lt. Senior members can make a of their participation in actual William Lefebvre, San Luis Obispo pitch to those organizations and missions along with senior mem- Composite Squadron 103. present a professional image of bers. (The Public Affairs section CAP—and nonetheless come off of the California Wing Web site AFRCC Mission: 06M0110 a bunch of people who only want has materials.) Tell the audience Search Day: 21 Jan 06 to support their expensive flying just how much CAP does—and Non-Distress Find: PLB in habits. How well will that sit? how little recognition it gets. Let Newport Beach Harbor Our most valuable asset has prospective donors know that Mission supporting players: usually been left at home: our their contribution will be used Newport Beach Police, Orange cadets. Their mere presence wisely, and for good purpose. County Sheriff’s is our best advertising—and The presentation should be And the ESsy goes to: Lt. Col. Pat the best tool for opening the short. Organizations that meet Robinson, 1st Lt. Shane Terpstra purses of those organizations. at lunch need short programs so Most people are unaccustomed the members can return to their AFRCC Mission: 06M0400 to being greeted as “Sir” or businesses. Short presentations Search days: 16-19 March, 2006 Ma’am”—to the respect that our at dinner meetings keep partici- Non-Distress Finds: Compton, cadets give as a matter of course. pants awake. Brevity is the key Corona, Long Beach Harbor and They don’t expect to encounter to success. Airport young people bolt-straight in Fundraising might well reap Mission supporting players: Iron their posture, pin-neat in their a recruiting bonus. Members of IC Capt. Bob Keilholtz, Lt. Col. appearance, the best youth our service organizations are typi- Ron Butts, Maj. Dave Rudawitz country has to offer. Most mem- cally already community mind- (Oregon Wing) bers of service organizations and ed, and may well be looking And the ESsy goes to: 20 UDF corporations have no opportu- for other ways to be of service. teams in California Wing. nity to become acquainted with The greatest donation the unit See summation page 56 . . . the cream of the teen crop. receives might be enthusiastic Cadets can also effectively new members.
25 BIRD’S EYE VIEW
afety First... By Lt. Col. Mike Prusak, USAF, S California Wing Liaison Officer or Maybe Not! Time to Reconsider Mission Risk Management
ome again? Time to carry out a safety survey: one week. This goes against everything you’ve ever been taught 2 C in the Civil Air Patrol. We always put safety first, don’t we? 1 The first step in managing your mission risk is to make sure 4 The surprising answer is: No! 3 your risk-assessment tools ask the right questions. One excel- 6 5 lent checklist used by USAF and CAP aircrews (and hope- 8 To be completely safe from harm we would have to keep our 7 fully ground teams) is “I’M SAFE,” the acronym for Illness, 10 airplanes tied down on the ramps. After all, look at what we 9 Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue and Emotion. Those 12 do: We fly small single engine planes in the mountains and 11 critical mission-safety reducers should be closely monitored. 14 in some of the most congested airspaces in the world. What’s 13 Individually, each of the safety factors is serious; a combina- 16 “safe” about that? 15 tion of more than one is a disaster waiting to happen. 18 17 Safety is not your mission. Your mission is to support the 20 19 United States Air Force and other agencies in areas of search 22 Time to conduct safety training: one day. 21 and rescue and homeland security. 24 23 26 Here are a couple of bromides to swallow while we’re on the Time to hold a safety briefing: one hour. 25 28 subject: 27 30 Time to read a safety poster: one minute. 29 32 Time to become a safe aircrew: one lifetime. 31 34 In short, although safety isn’t strictly first, it is a primary 33 36 35 Time to receive an annual Safety Award: one consideration in all our operations. We need to think about 38 safety throughout all of our operations. We need to think 37 year. 40 about safety throughout the mission planning and execution, 39 42 41 What we are really trying to do is get the mission done and continuously asking the right questions and answering them. 44 Then we must assess what the information is telling us and 43 46 eliminate as much of the risk as possible. We are all asked to manage the risk that our day-to-day jobs impose upon us. look for ways to make the mission’s risk acceptable. Then we 45 48 The missions CAP takes on are typically more dangerous than can continue to do what we really do well, which is getting 47 50 our day jobs. There’s a perception that we are not taking risk the mission done safely. 49 52 management seriously during CAP missions. 51 54 Finally, the time it takes to destroy all of the above 53 56 Time to implement a unit safety program: one through a safety-related accident: one second! 55 month.
27 Money for Leadership College: Lessons $180,000.00 from CAP:
Priceless. CHECKING IN: Cadet Redweik holds the down payment for his future in military aviation. Feet on the Ground, Eyes on the Skies By Cadet Capt. Eric Redweik, March Field Composite Squadron 45
ARCH ARB—As long Base near Moreno Valley for the last In January, I was selected for the as I can remember, I’ve five years, Civil Air Patrol pointed Air Force ROTC Type 2 scholarship, Mlooked to the skies and me in the direction of the military which pays up to $15,000 for college seen a goal. But it was not until and I set my sights on military tuition for three years. I knew at this October of 1998, when as a 4th aviation. In high school I entered point, my years of service to CAP grader I watched Astronaut John the Naval Junior Reserve Officers and Naval Junior ROTC were pay- Glenn become the oldest man to Training Corps program, which ing off in ways I’d never imagined. orbit the earth, I’d made up my furthered my military interest and A month later, I got an even better mind that I was going to fly and was allowed me to see another branch of offer: I’d been awarded a $180,000 willing to do anything in my power the military and the opportunities it Navy ROTC scholarship to study at to get there. As a cadet officer in held. Both programs prepared me to University of Arizona. The award Squadron 45 at March Air Reserve walk on the path now before me. covers tuition, books, and even a
28 CADET COSMOS
world. You want to be a leader in the Armed Forces. When one goes into the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, or Coast Guard, and one chooses to fly or captain a ship, or fulfill any other duty in the military, that’s your secondary job. Your primary job is to be an officer. I recommend applying to all the service academies and for ROTC scholarships. Even if you favor one MORE FRUIT SALAD, CADET?: Redweik dines with (now) Cadet 2nd Lt. Conor Doyle. over the others, keep your options open. The application processes take monthly allowance, as well as three pile. This will show that you really a long time and you may change month long training sessions over want to get in. your mind in the interim. If you’re my summer breaks. A Senior Chief Petty Officer set on a service academy, apply to I’m convinced of CAP’s con- of the Navy who interviewed me go to their summer seminar. It is a tribution to my good fortune and for the Naval ROTC scholarship great opportunity to really see what bright future. Having risen to Cadet offered me good advice. He said Academy life is like, and it will help Captain and earned the Earhart that when asked, “Why do you your application in the long run. Award made my application stand deserve an ROTC scholarship, or Good luck to all you cadets 2 1 out; I’m certain it influenced the an appointment into a service acad- looking to serve your country. I can 4 3 scholarship committees. CAP gave emy?” the typical answer involves now pursue a degree in aerospace 6 5 me the leadership lessons that I flying or traveling the world. That engineering without worrying about 8 7 needed to build a strong resume. It may be true but it’s not enough. If student loans or needing to work 10 9 also prepared me to succeed in the you really want to earn the title of through college. And, better yet, 12 11 NJROTC, where I rose to Cadet officer in the U.S. military, then I have a guaranteed job after col- 14 13 Commander and Cadet Company you must also want to help defend lege: To protect the freedoms of 16 15 Executive Officer. I’m grateful to our country. You want to be a part the citizens of the United States of 18 17 CAP for the training I received and of the most advanced team in the America. 20 19 22 the opportunities it offered. I advise all those applying for 21 24 23 26 such scholarships and to the service academies to excel in a leadership 25 28 27 30 program such as CAP or Junior ROTC on top of outstanding grades. 29 32 31 34 Academic achievement is important but the officers reviewing your 33 36 35 38 application also want to see that you’ve challenged yourself mentally 37 40 39 42 and physically and developed moral character. And get your applications 41 44 43 46 in early. To show that you have the drive necessary to become a 45 48 47 50 military officer, start with putting your application near the top of the 49 52 51 54 53 56 55 ON DUTY: Redweik in the uniform of a Naval Junior ROTC Cadet. CADET COSMOS Drilled to Perfection
From Fantasy to the Finals: CAWG’s Drill Team Comes Out of Nowhere to Take Second Place in the Pacific Region Competition O S T A M E S A — by only 3 points, and the innova- Commander, to the team com- California Wing’s first tive drill by only 5 points. The posed of cadets from four differ- Cdrill team in about ten cadets also fell short on standard ent squadrons in the Group. years took second place in the drill, the volleyball game, and the “We’re not done working this Pacific Region Cadet Competition mile run. year either,” said 2nd Lt. Kevin E. in May. In contrast to CAWG’s new That six-to-one event score Lowther, who with 1st Lt. Keith team, the victorious Washington did not discourage a cadet team Jackson instructed and sponsored 2 Wing team boasted 11 veterans that started with the modest goals the team. “We are going to keep up 1 4 among its 13 teammates. of forming up, gaining experi- our skills in preparation for any call 3 6 Even so, California’s team ence, and making a competitive for the drill team to perform—at 5 8 won the aerospace panel quiz, showing. parades, exhibitions—and just for 7 10 and battled to close calls in sev- “You make Civil Air Patrol the sake of furthering the learning 9 12 eral other events. It lost the written the greatest leadership training of everyone involved.”—2nd Lt. 11 14 exam by an average of about one program in the country,” said Kevin E. Lowther and 1st Lt. 13 16 question per cadet, the inspection Maj. Randy McClure, Group 7 Keith Jackson 15 18 17 20 19 22 21 24 23 26 25 28 27 30 29 32 31 34 33 36 35 38 37 40 39 42 41 44 43 46 45 48 47 50 49 52 51 54 53 56 55 FIELD MANUAL
Aviation Archaeology U nearthed BROKEN WING: A B-17 shot down by a Me-262 over Crantenburg, Germany. Lt. Franken said that nearly half as many war casualties came in training accidents over U.S. soil. Photo, courtesy U.S. Air Force.
A Ground Team Member from Iowa Wing Explains 2 1 4 the Delicate Field Work of Examining World War 3 6 II-Era Crash Sites to a California Squadron 5 8 7 10 By Capt. Dennis Ammann, San Diego Cadet Squadron 144 9 12 11 14 13 16 AN DIEGO—The short ize the site of an aircraft crash, Cadet Squadron 144 here last definition of aviation according to 1st Lt. Henry year on the art and science of 15 18 17 archaeology is to docu- Franken, a member of Iowa Wing the subject. 20 S 19 ment, locate, record and final- Civil Air Patrol who lectured Franken, a member of 22 21 24 the Des Moines Composite 23 26 Squadron and a semi-retired 25 28 co-director of Vatterott 27 30 College, said his early inter- 29 32 est in aircraft archaeology 31 34 had been activated by work- 33 36 ing grid patterns and finding 35 38 emergency locator transmit- 37 40 ters (ELTs) as part of CAP 39 42 search-and-rescue teams. 41 44 Growing up in Madison, 43 46 Wis., Lt. Franken had as a 45 48 47 50 49 52 VISITING SCHOLAR: 1st Lt. Henry 51 54 Franken, from CAP’s Iowa Wing, here 53 56 with Maj. Daryl Newton, addressing 55 San Diego Cadet Squadron 144. Photo by Capt. Dennis Ammann.
33 FIELD MANUAL
child seen World War II-era as how weather on a particular 17 level at 7,000 feet snapped B-17s in hangars waiting to be day may have affected the out- off the wings and flipped the flown to bone yards in Arizona. come. In surveying a crash site fuselage end over end, leading As a high school student in the participants take care to to the fatal crash on the prai- Montana, he’d heard about a not alter the original appear- rie below. However tragic, an B-17 crash site somewhere east ance of the field. accident of this nature was all of Big Sandy. But it would be The accident had gone too commonplace, Lt. Franken many years before he’d be able largely unexplored since World observed: 35,000 U.S. airmen to satisfy his curiosity about it. War II. The official record died in combat during World Aviation archaeology, Lt. states the probable cause as War II; another 15,000 were Franken explained to cadets, “pilot judgment error; lack killed in training accidents. starts with research—in this of care in flight; momentary Though eyewitnesses are case, requesting documents lapse of mental efficiency” crucial to reconstructing acci- from the U.S. Air Force under leading to structural failure. dents, Lt. Franken explained, the Freedom of Information The squadron’s maintenance in this case they were scarce. Act. His target: A Boeing B-17F records indicate no mechani- Only one pilot, a bomb-group Flying Fortress from the 401st cal defects. The investigation Observer high above the forma- Bombardment Group (Heavy), further stated that the limita- tion, witnessed the final flight. 612th Squadron, stationed at tions and flight characteristics The research team found an Great Falls, Montana, that of the B-17 should be empha- elderly lady—in grade school at crashed on October 1, 1943, sized during training—again the time of the accident—who two miles east of Big Sandy, suggesting pilot error and had heard the engines, looked while practicing bombing runs inexperience. up, and saw a puff of smoke in formation. The 401st Bomber In order to better under- on the horizon. Eventually the Group was to depart in two stand what might have hap- crash site was located by com- weeks for Station 128, RAF pened in the cockpit, Lt. paring landmarks in 63-year Deenethorpe, England. 2nd Franken interviewed a B-17 old investigation photographs Lt. John W. McIlwain, U.S. pilot about the flying charac- with the terrain. The team Army Air Force, was the pilot teristics and structural stress used aerial photographs, from in command; 2nd Lt. George limits of this large four-engine the old satellite “TerraServer,” W. Heaps was the co-pilot. bomber. He was told that B- that the U.S. Government There were five other mem- 17 pilots needed to keep the obtained from Russia. Those bers of the crew. All perished noses of their aircrafts up dur- satellite photos revealed faint in the crash. ing turns and that they could traces of the “splash” area, Determining the cause of lose control in a dive by drop- including the details of topo- an old crash requires the skills ping the nose only slightly. graphical discrepancies such of a detective and reverence Investigators had speculated as disturbed soil from vehicles for the past of an anthropolo- that Lt. McIlwain had finished used to retrieve aircraft wreck- gist, Lt. Franken explained. his bombing run at an altitude age, and make-shift roads that The typical procedure requires of 20,000 feet, then turned into had been used to haul out the the investigator to work with a half roll, and the effect of the B-17 debris six decades ago. numerous agencies and the four engines racing and grav- After the splash area had city, state, local county and ity made it increasing difficult been determined, the investi- Federal levels, as well as with to pull up. At about 475 miles gators could start in to the grid. private landowners. The avia- per hour, the maneuver would So Lt. Franken led a group of tion archaeologist has to take have exceeded the stress limits aviation archaeologists to Big in consideration such factors of the airframe. Pulling the B- Continued on page 54. . .
35 WING WATCH Passing Along Inspiration Lt. Col. Fred Pitcher Broke the Color Barrier and Became a CAWG Legacy with the All the Right Stuff By Capt. Frank Geraty, CAWG Director of Public Affairs
AN NUYS—A historical Maryland Wing Civil Air Patrol marker at the Columbia Air cadet in 1950 he soloed in a 1946 VCenter along the Patuxent Aeronca Champ 7AC after only six River at Croom, Maryland, testifies hours and thirty minutes of flight to the pioneering efforts of one John training at the historic “Cloud W. Greene, Jr.—mechanic, pilot, Club” located at that historic air- CAP squadron commander, high port. Influenced by the men of dis- school teacher, aviation instructor, tinction of his youth, Pitcher always and founder of the Columbia Air showed promise: In high school he Center back in 1941. was voted Most Likely to Succeed In 1933, Greene became only by his classmates, elected president the second black man in American of his high school honor society, history to qualify for a commercial BOUNDLESS ENERGY: Col. Pitcher and appointed business manager pilot’s license. And his Columbia today, after more than 60 years of for his high school yearbook. Air Center was the first black- piloting aircraft. Lt. Col. Pitcher’s love for tech- owned and operated airport in Director of Aerospace Education, nology and electronics preceded Prince George’s County. Lt. Col. Fred Pitcher. His personal the arrival of computers. Still in Though the airport was offi- legacy is now also enshrined there high school, he founded the first cially closed in 1956 (today the as being the only pilot ever taught of the more than 25 businesses he grounds are owned by the Maryland at Columbia field to have risen to would own or manage an electron- National Capital Park and Planning be a commercial airline captain. ic-appliance repair service. It was Commission) Greene’s achieve- Pitcher’s story is strikingly similar also during those formative years, ment inspired the boyhood dreams to that of his inspiration, John W. that Fred discovered he had a pas- of the future California Wing Greene. sion for teaching. He was asked to P i t c h e r — substitute-teach a physics class in retired Western which he himself was enrolled. and Delta airline Pitcher joined the U. S. Naval captain, lecturer, Air Reserve and earned an appoint- teacher, mentor, ment to Annapolis, though he businessman, civic opted for Howard University and leader, manager— the University of Pennsylvania. joined Civil Air Then he became a self-proclaimed Patrol as a cadet in “professional student” at Northrop 1948 and remains University and UCLA over the actively engaged next several decades. to this day. He was Though he was constantly on awarded his CAP the move throughout his early adult 50-year member life, Pitcher remained dedicated to award at a recent the CAP. He joined the Honolulu Wing Conference. Hickam Composite Squadron Flying airplanes in 1959, serving as the Deputy WHERE INSPIRATION TOOK FLIGHT: Col. Pitcher came naturally to Commander of Cadets and earned learned to fly in Croom. Col. Pitcher. As a a masters rating in Operations a
37 WING WATCH
well as his OCS CAP commission of 2nd Lieutenant. Later, while liv- ing in Alaska, he served as a flight instructor, SAR pilot and cadet orientation pilot with the Civil Air Patrol Elmendorf Squadron in Anchorage. Pitcher’s professional career included work associated with the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission at the U.S. Navy Model Basin, as an Engineering Aid; and a high-tech tour with the Burroughs NOSTALGIA BOUND: An example of the low, slow taildragging Aeronca Champ in Corporation working with the (then) which Pitcher first soloed, after almost seven hours of instruction, in 1946. revolutionary UNIVAC Computer and other “unnamed” smaller Master Pilot Award for 50 Years 2002 when he was named Pacific devices. He also taught computer of Dedicated Service in Aviation Region Senior Member of the science to other technicians at the Safety, and received the NAFI Year for his community service Burroughs Corporation, traveling Professional Flight Instructor work. He earned the Gil Robb to some 30 countries and several Award for his 42 years as a FAA- Wilson Award for professional continents. Certificated Flight Instructor. development and was the Group 1 Pitcher moved to the Los These days, Pitcher runs Public Affairs Officer before being Angeles area in 1964 and enrolled Training Associates, Inc. in appointed CAWG’s AE director. at Northrop University and earned Hawthorne. The working branch He is an active flight and ground his aircraft mechanic, flight engi- trains youths and adults alike on school instructor, as well as an neer, and Air Transport Pilot cer- subjects such as ‘How to fly’ and aerobatic pilot. He’s taught flying tificates prior to joining Western ‘How to enter Corporate America.’ all over the world including in Air Lines. He first worked as an A certified teacher in California, Japan, Germany, and Philippines. aircraft mechanic then, six months Pitcher has been a resource to A man of apparently bound- later, advanced to full pilot, break- the Los Angeles Unified School less energy, Pitcher’s hobbies are ing the employment color barrier District since 1971. In response to as exhilarating as his professional at Western Airlines in 1965. He’s the civil rights tumult in the 60s, pursuits. He is an automobile rac- worked hard to help other minori- as part of a “youth motivation ing class winner; international ties into the aviation profession task force,” he became one of the downhill and slalom snow ski class ever since. Pitcher mentored at founders of what are now called winner; and ski instructor. Pitcher least twelve new pilots to become “Career Days.” is even an experimental aircraft professionals. “I’ve been very That’s not all. Pitcher is a Los builder and trophy winner: He fortunate to be able to establish Angeles-based Young Eagles flight built a midget racing airplane and my own career, through my own leader and has been donating air- a single-seat helicopter to encour- efforts, and I try to let my students craft time to fly young boys and age students to be creative. Even know that if you want to do some- girls regularly in the ‘Kids Fly at play, Pitcher uses his hobbies thing, you can do it,” he said. “It’s Free Day’ program. He is affili- to focus students on what can be. just a matter of motivation and ated with the FAA’s ACE program His life and his passion is to let his being prepared.” Three of his latest to educate inner city children as students of all ages know that “the student ATP pilots were women. young as seven years old on the mind can accomplish anything that In past years, Pitcher has opportunities and wonder of avia- it is dedicated to do.” held leadership positions with the tion subjects. Tuskegee Airmen. He recently was CAP recognized Pitcher’s con- awarded the FAA Wright Brothers tributions to the greater good in
39 RE:CAP CAP Turnout Generates Airshow Electricity
RIVERSIDE—The airshow season began in earnest when 155 members of the Civil Air Patrol—nearly triple the typical turnout—worked the 15th annu- was too far from any hangar to previous to the show. al Riverside Airshow in April. run an extension cord. Capt. John Cadet 2nd Lt. Kevyn Meredith CAP resources, providing more Binder, Chino Cadet Squadron 20, of Squadron 59 acted as Cadet than one third of the volunteer went to base camp and returned Commander; Cadet 1st Lt. work force, combined with eight with a portable generator, allow- Nathaniel McMurray, Pancho- members of the Southland Young ing the crew chief to give the Barnes Composite Squadron 49, Marines for crowd-control and Hog a clean bill of health and fly was his Executive Officer. Cadet flight-line guarding duty. A member the afternoon show. “Leave it to Master Sgt. Matthew Harp, Big of the show’s committee estimated Captain Binder to have what we Bear Valley Composite Squadron 80,000 spectators attended, forming needed” stated Crew Chief Clark. 6750 and Cadet Maj. Felicia Voegele one of the largest crowds in years. “I have worked previous airshows assisted as project officers. 2 CAP’s participation in the with him and he has never failed Numerous senior members 1 4 weekend events exceeded expec- to let us down.” participated as Tactical Officers 3 6 tations in more ways than one. Making its Riverside debut, along side. California Wing’s 5 8 After a morning demonstration on a C-17 Globemaster from nearby Safety Officer Maj. Murray Craig 7 10 the first day of the show, an A-10 March Air Reserve Base’s 452nd and recruiting officer Lt. Col. 9 12 Thunderbolt (Warthog) flashed Air Mobility Wing was on static Charles Wiest were also on hand. 11 14 an “engine stall” warning light. display and gave two demonstra- “We had very little to worry 13 16 Although the pilot experienced no tions. Lt. Col. Jeff Pennington, about with so many seniors on 15 18 other indication of an actual stall, 452nd Air Mobility Wing hand,” said Capt. Binder. “It is great 17 20 the event nonetheless forced an Operations Group Commander, to have the adult involvement.” 19 22 early landing. Crew Chief Jason and Brig. Gen. James L. Melin, Lt. Col. Mark Williams, 21 24 Clark had a laptop computer to the new Commander of the 452nd, Commander of Beach Cities Cadet 23 26 run diagnostics but his computer accompanied the C-17 to the show. Squadron 107, said “Our new 25 28 had a dead battery and the aircraft Gen. Melin expressed his appre- cadets really enjoyed themselves 27 30 ciation to Capt. Binder for his ser- and look forward to the Chino 29 32 vice to activities on March ARB Airshow in May.” 31 34 and said he looked forward to a The show marks the first col- 33 36 continued working relationship. laboration between the Young 35 38 During take off, the C-17 Marines and CAP cadets. “I’d like 37 40 kicked up a small dust storm. to see them back, for they worked 39 42 CAWG cadets were prepared, well with our cadets,” stated Lt. 41 44 having been issued safety gog- Col. Fred Mahadocon, Pacific 43 46 gles provided by Cal Olympic Region Public Affairs. “Service 45 48 Safety, Corona, which has sup- is our business and the service 47 50 ported numerous CAP activi- we provided for the Riverside 49 52 ties for eight years now. 2nd Lt. Airshow was outstanding and 51 54 David Peabody of Hemet-Ryan professionally executed with 53 56 TEXAN TECH: Cadet Tech. Sgt. Alex 55 Ramos, San Diego Cadet Squadron Composite Squadron 59 had noted pride.”—Capt. Andrea Binder, 144, poses with an AT-6. the dust problem during the setup Chino Cadet Squadron 20
41 RE:CAP March Field Hosts New and Improved BCS MARCH ARB—Seventy-two cadet students, 23 cadet staffers and 24 senior members converged from as far south as Chula Vista and as far north as San Luis Obispo for a Civil Air Patrol Basic Cadet School/ Airman Training School here in late January. “This is bigger than some Wing encampments,” stated Capt. Martin Zschoche, project officer for the combined schools. In all, 24 Units from five Groups in California Wing were represented. MARCHING AT MARCH: Col. Black says the military atmosphere at March Air Reserve Base adds to the experience. All photos courtesy 2nd Lt. Kevin E. Maj. Jason Markiewitz, com- Lowther. mander of the joint school, stated the purpose. “Basic Cadet School is ten years old, Maj. Markiewitz said. “What makes this [school] spe- an essential first step to orient new ATS is even more recent, at about cial is that all cadets are in the right cadets to CAP,” he said. “The school five years old. Both schools are position for their skill sets,” stated provides a strong foundation for the part of CAWG’s modern Integrated Maj. Markiewitz. cadets from the very beginning as Leadership Program (ILP). After Lt. Col. Jessica Black, Deputy they work through Phase I of their passing through BCS and ATS, Commander for Group 3 and Deputy cadet careers.” Markiewitz said that cadets progress to Non-Commisioned Commander for the joint school, said Cadets receive quality, standard- Officer School (NCOS), Senior Non- the BCS/ATS requires “a lot of long ized training in techniques such as Commisioned Officer Academy range planning. You have to have at marching and how to properly wear and, finally, the Cadet Officer Basic least four to five very serious senior a uniform as well as introductions Course. Although individual squad- members who are ready to put in a to the history of CAP. Aerospace rons can instruct cadets in all facets lot of extra hours to come together Education, customs and courtesies, of the ILP curriculum, the format and do the initial brainstorming.” and CAP’s core values are key com- ensures a uniform Wing standard and Col. Black said that planning dates ponents of the school as well. builds strong relationships between back to the Wing conference last The formal structure of BCS both cadets and senior members October. as we know it today is only about across the Wing. Col. Black said that March
CLASS ACT: Maj. Markiewitz says that the BCS program is “essential.” Staff Sgt. Kira Swerdfeger (R) credits the BCS for inspiring teamwork building. RE:CAP
March Field BCS Tuggle Shows Rank Continued . . . ARB is an ideal campus because Determination the reserve base has ample facilities VANDENBERG AFB— entire career with Squadron 101, and provides the right atmosphere. Members and guests of based here and in nearby Santa “We feel that it’s always best to put Vanderberg Composite Squadron Maria. the cadets in a military environ- 101 witnessed the promotion of Lt. Col. Tuggle started as a ment whenever possible. I think unit commander Lisa Tuggle to Senior Member working wherever it enhances the overall sense that the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in she was needed. But she was also you’re in a military training activity January. Maj. Rodney Bronson, focused on advancing her CAP when you’re on a military base. It Commander, California Wing career and completed the Level V also raises awareness with the Air Group 4, led the ceremony and requirements within eight years. Force.” afterward commended the newest During that period she served as 1st Lts. Tomm and Connie Lieutenant Colonel in the Wing squadron’s Deputy Commander Olson, March Field Composite for her dedication toward the for six years before being appoint- Squadron 45, created a new check-in organization. ed its Commander in 2005. system for the school. “Putting the Maj. Bronson said Lt. Col. Reflecting upon her 11-years admin, including the check in, into Tuggle’s story should be an inspi- in CAP career, Lt. Col. Tuggle a database grew out of seeing the ration. After working as a civil marvels at how well the organiza- overwhelming amount of paperwork service employee for many years, tion enhanced her self-confidence that was generated by having such Lt. Col. Tuggle sensed a need to and awareness of world events. a large attendance,” said Lt. Tomm serve the community by mold- She identifies her success in CAP 2 Olson. “The database is a prototype ing the lives of young men and to both Cadet and senior members 1 4 endeavor to prove the concept and women. So in 1996 she joined serving cohesively under her. 3 6 to find ways that the system can the Civil Air Patrol and spent her 5 8 improve, speed up and streamline 7 10 the entire administration structure.” 9 12 Networking check-in across three 11 14 laptop computers kept the line mov- 13 16 ing and made billeting and duty 15 18 assignments more efficient. 17 20 “One of the most important 19 22 things I learned at ATS was how 21 24 teamwork could be developed 23 26 amongst strangers with a common 25 28 goal,” said Cadet Staff Sgt. Kira 27 30 Swerdfeger, Saddleback Composite 29 32 Squadron 68, Costa Mesa. “I found 31 34 it amazing that the nine cadets in 33 36 my flight, who did not know each 35 38 other before coming to ATS, were 37 40 able to work as a team, complete 39 42 objectives, and drill together by the 41 44 end of one intense weekend. This 43 46 important experience inspired me to 45 48 focus on building teamwork in my 47 50 own squadron.”—2nd Lt. Kevin E. 49 52 Lowther, Assistant PAO 51 54 53 56 55 SUDDENLY OUTRANKED: Group 4 Commander Maj. Bronson commends Lt. Col. Tuggle.
45 RE:CAP AFROTC Flights: More Than Free Rides
FALLBROOK—Following a off, landing, traffic patterns, to demonstrate the routing of request by USAF liaison Lt. Col low-level flying (defined as below inspections, showing the Cadet Mike Prusak in Eagle Call (see an altitude of 1,000 feet above what is inspected, what to look Bird’s Eye View, Spring 2006), ground level) and other critical for, and why. pilots all over the Wing have phases of flight, the AFROTC Before Takeoff: Use the stepped up Flight Orientation cadets can actually manipulate checklist to show Cadets how Program (FOP) rides for the flight controls while in the routine cockpit checks are made California’s Air Force Reserve air. (Credit for taking the ori- prior to takeoff. Point out pro- Officers Training Corps cadets. entation flight is not contingent cedure for starting the engine Among other Units in the upon that, however.) and the safety precautions to Wing, Lt. Col. Gerald Rohles, At the conclusion of FOPs, be observed. Describe the use Maj. James Redmon, and Maj. both pilots and students fill out of controls while taxiing and Tom Buscemi, all of Group 7’s the AFROTC Unit Orientation the safety precautions to be Fallbrook Composite Squadron Flight Log as evidence of the observed. Explain the selection 87 here, have regularly taught completed task. Safety rules of runway and engine run-up. students from Detachment 075 the program: Pilots conducting In Flight: Point out the posi- of San Diego State University FOPs must be even better quali- tion and attitude of the aircraft AFROTC. In Group 1, Capt. Ben fied than those performing CAP in normal flight with various Schick of Clover Field Composite cadet Orientation Rides—300 throttle and control settings. Squadron 51, Santa Monica, has hours of pilot-in-command, a Point out landmarks, ground 2 oriented future military officers commercial aviation license and features, and the position of the 1 4 from both Loyola Marymount a Class II medical required. airport with respect to the com- 3 6 University and University of ROTC FOPs aim to provide munity. Describe the approach 5 8 California at Los Angeles. Capt. students with a complete and to the traffic pattern and explain 7 10 Paul Krause of South Bay Senior well-rounded education in all the reasons for contact with the 9 12 Squadron 129, Torrance, has been aspects of military service. As a control tower or transmissions 11 14 flying University of Southern side benefit, FOPs expose cadets on common air traffic frequency 13 16 California students. Capt. to flying and flight activities at uncontrolled fields. Point out 15 18 Gary Cinnamon, Sacramento with pilots serving in their role the correct procedure for enter- 17 20 Composite Squadron 14, and as the USAF Auxiliary. ing the traffic pattern, glide 19 22 Capt. Keith Stason, Jon E. The AFROTC Orientation angle, normal landing, taxiing 21 24 Kramer Composite Squadron 10, Flight Syllabus emphasizes the aircraft to parking area, and 23 26 Palo Alto, are among those fly- following points: engine shutdown. 25 28 ing northern California cadets. Preflight: Discuss the basics Post Flight: Answer ques- 27 30 FOPs provide more than of light aircraft aerodynam- tions about the flight, stressing 29 32 free-ride fun. Except for take- ics. Use the aircraft checklist safety. 31 34 According to SDSU Cadet 33 36 Barroga, an average of about 24 35 38 cadets participate in the Flight 37 40 Orientation Program at SDSU 39 42 every three months and many go 41 44 on to be active in Flight Officer 43 46 p r o g r a m s . — C a p t . J a m e s 45 48 Pedersen, PAO 47 50 49 52 51 54 OFF WE GO: Lt. Col. Rohles (R) 53 56 with San Diego State University 55 AFROTC Cadets Barroga, Gordon, and Kilian.
47 RE:CAP CAWG Cadet’s Mitchell Honored at State Capitol SACRAMENTO— C a d e t Lieutenant Mitchell L. Hursh of Sacramento Composite Squadron 14 received the General Billy Mitchell Award by Assemblyman Bill Maze in his offices and on the Assembly floor of the State Capitol in January. A CAPITOL DAY: On the Assembly floor (L-R), Lt. Col. John Aylesworth, Ms. Hilda A s s e m b l y m a n M a z e Zamora, Assemblyman Bill Maze, Cadet Lt. Mitchell L. Hursh, Ronald Hursh and (Republican, 34th District, Cory Hursh. Visalia), also a Civil Air Patrol Major and Vice Commander of Cadet Hursh has enlisted in the tion testing leadership theory and California Wing’s Legislative U.S. Air Force and will begin aerospace topics. Since the incep- Squadron, congratulated Cadet basic training in September fol- tion of the Mitchell Award over Hursh on receiving this prestigious lowing his graduation this June 30 years ago, about 42,000 cadets award in a ceremony attended from Da Vinci High School in have earned this honor. by his parents, Hilda Zamora Davis, California. As it represents an important and Ronald Hursh; his brother, The Mitchell Award signifies milestone, the Mitchell Award Cory Hursh; and his Squadron the passage of a cadet to cadet is normally presented by a CAP Commander, Lt. Colonel John officer. It was established in 1964 Group Commander or higher, the Aylesworth. in honor of the late U.S. Air Force Wing Director of Cadet Programs, Cadet Hursh joined Squadron Brigadier General Billy Mitchell, or a state or federal government 14, headquartered at Sacramento the celebrated aviation hero, official. Cadet recipients of the Executive Airport, three and a pioneer, advocate, and staunch Mitchell Award, who later enter half years ago. In the last year supporter of an independent Air the Civil Air Patrol’s Senior he served with distinction as the Force for America. Cadets earn Member program, are eligible for Cadet Commander of some 30 their Mitchell only after complet- immediate promotion to CAP 2nd fellow cadets. ing the first eight achievements of Lieutenant at age 21. Continuing in the spirit of the cadet program and passing an Mitchell recipients are also excellence and volunteerism, arduous 100-question examina- eligible for advanced promotion to the rank of Airman First Class should they choose to enlist in the U.S. Air Force, or for advanced credit in the Air Force ROTC pro- gram. Mitchell Award cadets may also apply for a variety of scholar- ships and Civil Air Patrol special activities.—2nd Lt. Arthur J. Bettati
OFFICERS CALL: C a d e t 2 n d Lt. Mitchell L. Hursh meets with Assemblyman Bill Maze, and Lt. Col. John Aylesworth. Photo: Courtesy Ms. Valory Mitchell.
49 RE:CAP
USHERING IN THE AIRSHOW SEASON: A photo essay by 2nd Lt. Kevin Lowther at the CAWG-supported airshow at NAS Point Mugu at the end of March shows F-16C Thunderbirds in surrealistically perfect formation, Navy Seals, and an F-22A Raptor of the 1st Fighter Wing doing its thing. ES101
Ground Team Training Continued from page 7 . . . How Saber Training Hones for Urban Direction Finding (UDF) team certification; sec- the Non-Combat Edge ond-year candidates would earn Ground Team Member (GTM) Phase I - First Aid, CPR and blood-borne pathogen training qualification. A third year would and certification earn Ground Team Leader (GTL). All skill sets would correlate with Phase II - Basic and/or Advanced Communications User those outlined in CAPR 60-3 Training training and certification Emergency Services Training Sarex I - Field-training exercise for UDF/GTM operations and Operational Missions regula- equipment, and hot loads in air ambulance, and those tions, except those related mis- wanting to become GTL would receive that instruction sions seldom if ever encountered California Wing members (water Phase III - Advanced land navigation and team skills rescue, high mountain rippling or including direction-finding equipment use snow rescue, for example). Even so, the training would include Phase IV - Field training of individuals and teams in survival skills for high-mountain equipment and survival skills altitudes and cold weather. Lt. Saber - Skills evaluation in four sorties, all done in a stress- Col. Bill Correll, then Squadron filled environment 72 commander, tasked Maj. Steve England, then deputy commander for seniors, and Cadet Commander
DEPLOYED: A California Air National Guard helicopter drops Saber participants at altitude and collects them after their training. Erin England to develop the cur- riculum into a fully operational training activity. Here’s how the Saber program works. Instructors teach basic skills in a normal classroom set- ting, along with field training for practicing direction finding and radio use. The first SAREX includes a briefing from a local air ambulance firm on hot-load pro- tocols. Fieldwork includes UDF/ GTM practice under both day and night conditions. The final SAREX is far more challenging and stressful, to simulate actual emergencies, and leads to a sign off for those demonstrating all UDF or GTM skills (see How Saber Training Hones the Non-Combat Edge). The program utilizes a local civilian air ambulance company and a California Army National 2 Guard aviation unit. The ANG 1 4 assists by inserting and extract- 3 6 ing two teams into a remote site 5 8 at 8,000 feet in California’s high 7 10 Sierra Mountain Range. The ANG 9 12 unit uses the same procedures it 11 14 would to insert two fully equipped Standard curriculum 13 16 THE RIGHT DIRECTION: Army teams at this location, and includes utilization of direction-finding equipment. 15 18 then extracts them the follow- 17 20 ing day. The exercise trains stu- test to teach all ES skills. The the Direction Finding category 19 22 dents for being taken to a remote, squadron has its own American and do not tax the team members 21 24 unknown site and having to orient Red Cross-certified instructors total skill set. Saber ensures mis- 23 26 themselves and organize quickly for First Aid, CPR and Blood- sion readiness for those 5 percent 25 28 into a functioning team—skills Borne Pathogen training; both of actual missions requiring all 27 30 they might need for hurricane or registered nurses and medical the skill sets of a GTM. 29 32 earthquake relief efforts, and many doctors cover those items specific Those completing this 31 34 other emergency and Homeland to their expertise. The squadron advanced training rewards stu- 33 36 Security missions. also has qualified members for dents with the confidence that 35 38 In the event that members teaching Basic and Advanced they’ve been well trained and 37 40 fail to complete all the training Communications User Training stand ready to undertake any CAP 39 42 within a program year, then they (BCUT and ACUT). mission imaginable (along with 41 44 can either join the cycle in the The advantage of Saber is an attractive, numbered Saber 43 46 next program year or elect to its revolving cycle, which allows certificate!). 45 48 discontinue the program, failing members to maintain their edge; in The proof is in the pudding: 47 50 to certify. contrast standard CAP ES training Saber training has been conducted 49 52 Instructors are typically is too reliant upon weekend skills each year since 1998 and produced 51 54 members who are Ground Team training and then a SAREX or many highly qualified, mission ready 53 56 Leaders and have completed the actual mission sometime during a ES personnel for California Wing. 55 SET (Skills Evaluation Trainer) year. Most actual missions fall into
53 FIELD MANUAL Dedicated to the Heroes of the Past Just prior to October 1, 2006, I report when we were done and left took a fast, short trip to Big Sandy, assuming it was the end. Montana, to dedicate a memorial But in the interim, a few mem- on that on that day, surprised that I’d bers of the small town took it upon been got the called to speak at the themselves to build a memorial to occasion. I thought it might be too those killed in the crash. They’d far to travel for such a brief occa- experienced inches of successes sion, but not after I got there. and miles of frustrations—permits, Two years previous I’d led property rights, government par- a group to the town to perform ticipation and grant writing. I didn’t historical research on an aviation know all of this when I was asked crash near the town. I’d given the to participate in the dedication. I 1st Lt. Henry Franken, Iowa Wing, local historical society a courtesy frankly expected to see a simple CAP. plaque on a bolder in the middle of Montana. What I saw left me deeply impressed: A flower garden in front of a polished granite memorial, lighted flag poles, U.S. Air Force dignitaries awaiting a missing- 2 man formation flyover, a marching 1 4 band, an honor guard with fir- 3 6 ing squad—and an entire town’s 5 8 presence. I was humbled to think 7 10 how I’d underestimated the event. 9 12 These are the words I shared 11 14 with that gathering: 13 16 “Sixty-three years ago, nine 15 18 ONE THAT NEVER CRASHED: The B-17F “Memphis Belle” in restoration men began the last moments of 17 20 at the National Museum of the U.S. their lives in the sky above where we 19 22 Air Force, Dayton, Ohio. U.S. Air 21 24 Force photo by Ben Strasser. 23 26 25 28 27 30 Aviation Archaeology 29 32 Continued from page 35 . . . 31 34 33 36 Sandy. He was assisted by the 35 38 University of Iowa School of 37 40 Journalism and Broadcasting, 39 42 which assigned a student film 41 44 crew to document the expe- 43 46 dition. (In fact, Lt. Franken 45 48 found himself in San Diego 47 50 to edit the documentary in his 49 52 daughter’s TV studio.) The 51 54 crash site was chosen because 53 56 of its isolation. It was sur- 55 rounded by mostly farmland ON TOUR: The Memphis Belle at Patterson Field, Ohio. The B-17F has been revered since its arrival. Photo, courtesy U.S. Air Force. 54 now stand. During WWII, 35, 000 airmen were casualties...15,000 of them were fatalities in training accidents. Nine of that number belong forever in the vivid memo- ries here today, honored by all... marked now on the placid plains of Montana at a place called Big Sandy. Their freely given commit- ment to freedom and their need to serve has contributed to allowing of us to fly our flag over this land, and cost them their lives. What happened in that cockpit at 27,000 feet that October morn- “IDIOT’S DELIGHT”: An example from the 94th Bomb Group, 332nd Bomb ing, at this hour, all those years Squadron. Photo, courtesy U.S. Air Force. ago, is still a matter of debate and conjecture and investigation. What we do know is that because of and flat prairie and had been included a doctor in the event 2 largely undisturbed over the of an accident, used metal 1 4 their sacrifice we are privileged to years. In fact, the area remains detectors to locate objects on 3 6 dedicate this marker today in a free littered with alkaline cans and the ground and marked the 5 8 land for all to see and to know that 7 10 inert practice bombs dropped position of debris with red those nine young men will not have by bombers during training flags in three-foot grids. Using 9 12 gone to the other side forgotten. 11 14 flights, during which bomb this methodology, the splash The nature of this land, this groups had used Great Falls area was precisely documented 13 16 15 Montana and its people, is one of as an Initial Point, ascended to and each object noted. 18 17 20 quiet dignity. It is in that temper we 20,000 feet, dropped practice Finally, Lt. Franken can now bring to close this special 19 22 bombs on the range, broken emphasized the value of sav- 21 24 chapter in the book of freedom.” formation, and returned to ing aircraft artifacts for future 23 26 On the drive home, I spent their respective airbases. research and historical record. 25 28 20 hours thinking a lot about that Lt. Franken’s goal was to Many residents of Big Sandy 27 30 day and what it’s like everyday in report the team’s finding to had collected parts from this 29 32 Civil Air Patrol. Just like the quiet the surviving family members, particular crash (the engine 31 34 dignity of the people of that little who were found by following cowling, the propeller, the 33 36 town, CAP has a vision, mission, the trail of death certificates, generator, for example) and 35 38 and dream-pursuers at work. We and document the investiga- were unwilling to surrender 37 40 get tired. Sometimes we may even tion for the National Historical them. Lt. Franken feared that 39 42 want to quit. We won’t likely get an Preservation Society. That those precious artifacts might 41 44 meant obtaining permission mean little to future genera- 43 honor guard or a flyby, but we’re 46 from the landowners and tions and simply be tossed 45 like the people in a little town in 48 informing all interested parties away—along with the memory 47 50 Montana with a picture of success, about the expedition’s inten- of the ultimate sacrifice those 49 52 a feeling for a mission that just will tions, assuring those for whom brave airmen made for our 51 54 not go away. I’m proud to be a part the accident was personal that country so many years ago. 53 56 of it.—1st Lt. Henry Franken all ethical guidelines would 55 be followed. The team, which
55 EAGLE EYE
DOUBLE-DIGIT MISSION MEN: WHO'S PULLING THE IC LOAD
Capt. Keilholtz's 78 Missions Represent 24% of Wing's Missions in the ES year
Capt. Bob Keilholtz Lt. Shane Terpstra Capt. Frank Duarte Capt. Jim Anthony Lt. Rich Lovick Capt. Burt Kingsbury Maj. Jon Wordsworth All Others
THE ICe-MAN COMETH: As an Incident Commander, Capt. Bob Keilholtz’s 78 missions, several involving multiple tasks within a single mission number, outpaced 1st Lt. Shane Terpstra’s 58 (18%), Capt. Frank Duarte’s 46 (14%), Capt. Jim Anthony’s 25 (8%) and 1st Lt. Rich Lovick, Capt. Burt Kingsbury, and Maj. Jon Wordsworth, all of whom ran about 5 percent of the Wing’s missions.
EMERGENCY SERVICES IN SUM: OCT 2005-SEP 2006
40
35 MISSIONS ACCOMPLISHED: California Wing performed 321 30 mission for the ES year, 22 of which involved missing aircraft 25 searches.
20 ELT/EPIRBs MISSING A/C MISSIONS
15
A total of 1,735 members 10 participated in ES, with the bulk (944) dedicated to ground and 5 urban direction finding teams. CAP aircraft flew over 400 hours on the year. Stats courtesy Lt. 0 OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP Col. Beth Ries-Wordsworth.
56