Civil Air Patrol Magazine, Alaska Wing, October 2022

Civil Air Patrol

Col Kevin McClure Wing Commander

Lt Col Brian Porter Vice Commander

TSgt Robert Shephard Command NCO

TSgt Ray Lukic Wing NCO Advisor

Mr. Nate Healy CAP USAF Liaison USAFR Coordinators

Lt Col Gene Moyer Inspector General

Capt C Stearns Gov Relations Advisor

Lt Col MacPherson Dir. Of Operations Lt Col Bryan Emerson Dir. Of Communications

Lt Col MacPherson Dir. Of Aerospace Ed. Lt Col Al Senese Dir. Of Prof Development

Capt Karen Padgett Dir. Of Cadet Programs 2nd Lt Clint Justus Dir. Of Logistics

Lt Col Al Senese Director of Personnel Lt Elizabeth Justus Director of Recruiting VACANT Dir. of Development

Lt Col Bryan Emerson Public Affairs Officer

Capt Terrance Aldridge Director of Finance Maj Caleb Newville Director of IT

Maj Kevin Bottjen Wing Chaplain VACANT Wing Historian Lt Col Robert Thomas Health Services Officer

1st Lt Mary Stella Administrative Officer

Lt Col Thomas Palmer Dir. of Maintenance

2nd Lt Elizabeth Justus Diversity Rec/Ret

Special Staff VACANT Chief of Staff

Capt DJ Burand II Director of Safety Lt Col Stuart Goering Legal Officer

SM Joshua Jones Cyber Security Officer

VIRTUAL SEMINAR

Interested in Learning More About CAP’s BOG?

Have you ever considered applying for a position on the Civil Air Patrol’s Board of Governors one day? Ever wonder what a BOG member ’s role and responsibilities are? Wish you had an opportunity to learn more? If the answer to any of these questions is “YES”, then you should consider attending this one day seminar!

The purpose of this seminar is to provide information to those members of the Civil Air Patrol who are interested in applying to be a member of the Civil Air Patrol’s Board of Governors.

Those who attend the seminar will hear from experienced current and former BOG Members, National Commanders, and National Staff, on a broad array of topics. The day will conclude with a panel discussion comprised of current and former BOG members and National Command staff, who will discuss the day's topics and answer any questions

Registration Information

Registration will be taking place through October.

To register, visit the following site: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/preparing-for-a-seat-on-the-bogvirtual-seminar-tickets-426098982527

Alaska Wing Conference and Banquet Highlights

There were 12 unique seminars but in total 23 were held throughout the day. In parallel to the seminars, cadets werw in the auditorium leading their own planning for future events such as encampment and cadet competition preparation.

Below are the major Awards presented during the Conference and the Banquet

2022 Of the Year Awards

Capt. Eric Wiseman Chaplain of the year

1Lt Mary Stella SM of the year 1Lt Edward Stickel Meritorious C/Lt Col Annika Ziesmer Cadet of the year C/2Lt Michael J Krol Cadet Junior Officer of the year

Capt. Wendy Sanders Cadet Programs Officer OTY

Major James Davis AE Officer OTY C/CMSgt Dylan Pittsenbargar AFSA Cadet NCO of the Year

PCR & National Awards

Alaska Wing PCR 2022 Homeland Security Award Capt. Karen Padgett Character Development Instructor OTY Lt Col John Western Aircrew Member

OTY

Lt Col Bryan Emerson PAO Balsem Award 2022 Quality Cadet Unit Awards

AK-015 Polaris Composite Squadron

AK-017 Arcturus Composite Squadron

AK-027 Delta Force Cadet Squadron AK-076 Birchwood Composite Squadron

AK-087 Kodiak Composite Squadron AK-093 Lake Hood Cadet Squadron

2022 AKWG Frank G. Brewer Award selections

Major Ben Padgett (Senior) C/Lt Col Annika Ziesmer (Cadet)

Numerous other Commander Commendations and Achievement Awards were distributed to Squadron Com manders for presentation at their respective units. Many thanks to Lt Col Al Senese for compiling all of these.

Photo by Lt Col Jim McCarthy: A trio of dapper wing staff membersLieutenants Clint and Elizabeth Justus in their mess dress uniforms, while Dr. Pat Patterson proudly displayed his McClaren clan heritage.

Alaska Wing Conference and Banquet

Conference Cadets

Director of Diversity 2nd L. Elizabeth Justus, Jonathan Biggerstaf, Larisa Myers

Meritorious Service Award

Ed Stickel

Cadet Programs

by Capt Karen L Padgett, AKWG Director of Cadet Programs (DCP), Capts Kristina Schmidt & Ed Stickel, AKWG Asst DCPs

As always, a lot is happening in the Alaska Wing Cadet Program!

First off, a heartfelt congratulations to Alaska Wing’s 2022 Cadet of the Year, C/Lt Col Annika Ziesmer! See below for other cadet awards!!

Right: C/Lt Col Annika Ziesmer receives the 2022 AKWG Cadet of the Year Award from Col Jason Bailey (left) with Col Kevin McClure.

here: https://www.gocivilairpatrol. com/programs/cadets/cadetinvest

CadetInvest AKWG Contest started 10/1/22: ALL Alaska cadets are urged to take 10 minutes and apply for CadetINVE$T. Vanguard Gift Certificates are being awarded to randomly-selected cadets who register for Cadet Invest in October. Registration closes 12/31/22. In 2021, only 30 Alaska cadets applied. Our goal this year is for 200 cadets to apply. Many cadets unexpectedly ended up attending activities but had missed the CadetInvest deadline. CadetInvest closes 12/31/22, long before cadets know their summer plans. So hedge your bets and apply early. Go here for Alaska-specific information & updates on CadetINVEST: https://akwg.cap.gov/programs/cp/ scholarships/cadetinvest

More info on CadetInvest can be found

Wing Conference 10/1/22: 25 cadets from 6 squadrons participated in the 2022 Alaska Wing Conference cadet and Senior Member sessions. Sessions specifically for cadets and Cadet Pro grams Officers included Encampment Prep, National Cadet Special Activities (NCSAs), Cadet Advisory Council (CAC), CadetInvest (free money for cadets!), and Cadet Competition. A session called “Cadet Programs Technicianin-a-Day” was a lot of work and a lot of fun for all involved. Cadets staffed various stations that Senior Members rotated through to interview new & long-standing cadets, score drill tests, observe feedback meetings, and re view QCUA reports as skills required for SMs to become Cadet Programs Technicians. We think this can be duplicated at any wing activity and in individual squadrons! The packet of info for “CP Tech-in-a-Day” is available here: https://akwg.cap.gov/programs/ cp/cpos

Thanks to the 2022 CAC’s great ideas, videos of some of the presentations are being uploaded here on the Alaska Wing YouTube Channel here: https:// www.youtube.com/channel/UCWQEaqzFq366LKVcdOfnV3w

Slides from some of the presentations are (or soon will be) posted here:

Cadet Programs, continued

• Encampment Preparation: https://akwg.cap.gov/encamp ment

• NCSAs: https://akwg.cap.gov/programs/cp/activities/ncsas

• Cadet Competition: https://akwg. cap.gov/programs/cp/activities/22cc

• Cadet Advisory Council: https:// akwg.cap.gov/programs/cp/cac

Awards Banquet: The Wing Conference culminated in the Alaska Wing Awards Banquet. A very special congratulations to C/Lt Col Annika Ziesmer, Alaska Wing’s 2022 CADET OF THE YEAR!! Alaska Wing’s AFSA Cadet NCO of the Year is C/CMSgt Dylan Pittsenbargar. Both cadets will go on to compete at the Region (and hopefully National) levels. C/Lt Ziesmer was also separately chosen to repre sent AKWG as the Brewer Cadet of the Year. Alaska Wing also chooses a Cadet Junior Officer (Cadet 2d Lt, 1st Lt, or Capt) of the Year and an AFA AE Cadet of the year each year. This year’s AKWG Cadet Junior Officer of the Year is C/2d Lt Michael Krol. Our Alaska Wing AFA AE Cadet of the Year is C/SMSgt Lydia Schwartz.

Officer of the Year Award.

Opposite bottom: An AKWG record-number 6 squadrons received 2022 Quality Cadet Unit Awards. Accepting the awards are C/Lt Annika Ziesmer of Lake Hood, C/2d Lt Hunter Simeonoff of Kodiak, Capt Kristina Schmidt of Delta, SM Dennis Eby of Birchwood, Lt Col James McCarthy of Arcturus, and Col Brian “Irish” Porter of Polaris.

Oregon Winter Encampment: At least 20 Alaskan Senior Member and Cadets plan to participate in the Oregon Winter Encampment 12/28/22-1/3/23 (Staff/cadre report a day earlier). Registration is now open until 11/10/22. Registration link: https://orwgcap. regfox.com/winter-raptor-2022-en campment , Encampment memo here: https://akwg.cap.gov/encampment/ orwg22 Contact your DCC to coordinate travel with other AKWG mem bers. The registration requires you to notify your DCP (karen.padgett@ akwg.cap.gov) when you apply.

Opposite photo top left: C/CMSgt Dylan Pittsenbargar receives the 2022 AKWG AFSA Cadet NCO Of the Year Award. Opposite top right: C/2d Lt Michael Krol receives the 2022 AKWG Cadet Junior

$$ for Winter Encampments: We encourage all families who can use encampment financial assistance with tuition and/or uniforms to apply for CEAP (Cadet Encampment Assistance Program). To apply, log into eServices & apply here starting 11/1/22: https:// www.capnhq.gov/CAP.Events.Web/ Modules/CEAP.aspx Register for encampment now. Then register for CEAP starting 11/1/22.

Cadet Programs, continued

Cadet Advisory Council (CAC): Find out who the CAC representative & alternate are in your squadron! If there isn’t one, consider serving as the voice of your squadron! The new CAC year began 10/1/22, and cadets can still be appointed as reps. We are happy to announce that the Alaska Wing Chair for FY23 is C/2d Lt Michael Krol. Wing Recorder is C/2d Lt Thomas Clifton. Pacific Region Rep is C/Capt Michael Porter. FY22 CAC information here: https://akwg.cap.gov/programs/cp/cac Cadet officers interested in serving as Vice Chair and Region Alternate can contact SM Advisors Maj John Bittle (208341@akwg.Cap.gov) and SM Colin Pawletzki (594266@akwg.cap.gov). To represent your squadron, talk to your Deputy Commander for Cadets (DCC).

Save the Dates:

• 10/1/22-12/31/22: Registration for CadetINVEST

• Thu 12/1/22: Registration for Summer NCSAs opens—click on each link on this website to learn more NOW before these NCSAs are removed to make room for next year’s similar NCSAs: https:// www.gocivilairpatrol.com/programs/cadets/activities/nation al-cadet-special-activities Many NCSAs have their own Facebook pages and websites. See the table at the bottom of this web page: https://akwg.cap.gov/pro-

grams/cp/activities/ncsas

• Sat 12/3/22: Virtual & in-person Alaska Wing Cadet Competition

(Activity Director: Capt Ed Stickel) Details including a briefing are available here as plans develop: https://akwg.cap.gov/programs/ cp/activities/22cc

• Sun 12/4/22: Alaska Wing Cadet Programs Conference. Details here as plans develop: https:// akwg.cap.gov/programs/cp/activities/22cpc

•

Feb-April 2023 AKWG CAP Ground School

• 3/1/23-5/15/23: Alaska Wing Distributed Powered Flight Academy (Activity Director Maj Ben Padgett). Applications will be available soon! To give yourself the best chances for selection, REMEMBER: (1) IACRA, (2) MedExpress, (3) Ground School.

• 5/26/23-6/4/23: Alaska Wing Glider Flight Academy (Activity Director Col Tom “Polo” Palmer) Applications will be available soon!

• June 18-24, 2023: Alaska Wing Encampment (Encampment Commander Col Brian “Irish” Porter) Cadet Cadre/Staff start Thur 6/15/23

• June-August 2023: NCSAs at various US locations

• August 17-20, 2023: CAP National Conference in Bellevue, WA

Resources:

Photos from the 2022 Alaska Wing Conference (aka Smugmug): https:// photos.cap.gov/Pacific-Region/Alaska-Wing/2022-Alaska-Wing-Conference/

Alaska Wing YouTube Channel (we can choose a shorter name when we have 100 subscribers): https://www. youtube.com/channel/UCWQEaqzFq366LKVcdOfnV3w

Alaska Wing Cadet Programs Webpages: https://akwg.cap.gov/programs/cp

To prepare to apply for flight academies:

(1) IACRA: Apply for your IACRA number: https://iacra.faa.gov/IACRA/SelectRoles.aspx

(2) MedXpress: Get your Class 3 (or better) Medical. Start with MedX Press: https://medxpress.faa.gov/ medxpress/

(3) Take Ground School (AKWG planning to offer in-person/virtual classes starting Feb 2023)

Colorguard practice in the Valley - Colorguard

Commander C SMSgt. Justus, C 2dLT. Goodman, C SrA. Redford, C Amn. Foster, C 2dLT. Martin.

Leadership Reflection

When I first joined CAP, I was focused on being successful for my own purposes. I was focused on only myself and how I would get to my next promotion or when my next orientation flight would happen. Over the years I have realized that it is not just about one single person, it is about motivating and helping those around you to succeed as

well. It all comes down to teamwork; a good team with a good leader will almost always go farther than any one man.

At first when I started out in CAP, I needed a lot of direction and advice to complete tasks and reach my goals. Over time, I have been able to grow enough that I can now successfully complete tasks with minimal guidance.

I am also now in a position to give direction and advice to others. I am certainly not perfect yet, but I hope to always keep a mindset of growing and learning. -By a Birchwood Cadet

On Saturday, September 24th, 15 Birchwood cadets hiked to Blueberry Knoll in Hatchers Pass. The goals were to have fun, enjoy fellowship, and practice with 24 hour packs. It was a gorgeous day

after enduring so many days of rain!

Birchwood welcomes our newest cadets: Reese Noble, Caleb Noble, Aurora McAtee, and Justin Long. They are off to a great start - the Nobles already reached Achievement 1, and McAtee and Long are soon to follow!

By 1st Lt Rena Anderson, Deputy Com mander for Cadets.

Tok by Richard Dennis Alaskan Survival Kit Regulations

Alaska State Law (AS 02.35.110. Emergency Rations and Equipment) was modified a while back to reduce the equipment required to be carried. The current regulations require that no airman may make a flight inside the state with an aircraft unless emergency equipment is carried as follows:

1. The minimum equipment to be carried during summer months is as fol lows: (for all single engine and for multiengine aircraft licensed to carry 15 passengers or less)

(A) rations for each occupant sufficient to sustain life for one week;

(B) one axe or hatchet;

(C) one first aid kit;

(D) an assortment of tackle such as hooks, flies, lines, and sinkers;

(E) one knife;

(F) fire starter;

(G) one mosquito head-net for each occupant;

(H) two small signaling devices such as colored smoke bombs, railroad fuses, or Very pistol shells, in sealed metal containers.

ment from October 15 to April 1 of each year:

(A) one pair of snowshoes

(B) one sleeping bag

(C) one wool blanket for each occupant over four

As you can see, the Alaskan regulations are minimal and do not address much in the way of specifics or quality. The old regulations were similarly minimal, but required double the food, a gill net and a firearm and specified matches instead of a generic “fire-starter.”

A SURVIVAL VEST ?

Consider that some aviation accidents leave the survivors with only what they have on their backs. With a fire or water ditching, even a well-stocked surviv al kit might be lost.

On 21 Dec 1943, a B-24 crashed in the Alaskan Wilderness leaving one survivor, Leon Crane. His survival story is recorded in the book entitled, 81 Days Below Zero. He survived with only what he had on his back.

A survival vest would allow one to carry more critical items. And so with a vest, what should that be? This is a personal decision, but consider;

2. In addition to the above, the following must be carried as minimum equip-

A. SIGNALING (COMMUNICATIONS)

old daughter lived for 2 months hoping and praying for the rescue that never came. Their diary notes that they had heard aircraft flying overhead. Their remains were found by hunters in October, six months later. Letters, a Will and a diary were found. So… What Signaling Equipment is in your Survival Kit?

CONSIDER YOUR SIGNALING EQUIP MENT

In March 1967 a Cessna 195 crashed in the Trinity Alps of Northern California. The wife of the pilot and her 16 year

CONSIDER YOUR SHELTERING EQUIP MENT

On 4 February 1963, a single engine aircraft crashed in the Yukon. The two passengers survived with injuries for seven weeks. Temps dropped as low as 42 below zero in the region. And So… What Sheltering Equipment do you have in your Survival Kit?

Polaris/Lake Hood

by C/TSgt Teddy Neroda

September was a busy month for the joint cadet operations of the Polaris/ Lake Hood squadron.

The September 6th Emergency Services meeting went well with a knot class led by C/MSgt Bennett. During that class, cadets learned a few knots, including the square knot, and practiced them until they could tie them correctly. When the class ended, the cadets went inside, and C/Lt Col Ziesmer taught the cadets how to make ranger beads to help them manage their pace counts. While cadets made their ranger beads, there was also a class on knife safety.

During the September 13th aerospace meeting, C/Amn Owens gave an extremely informative presentation on UCAVs with videos and pictures. After the presentation, the cadets went to the hangar and made paper airplanes and then tested them by throwing them to see how far they went. They compared the distances of the modifications they made.

On September 17th, the Polaris/Lake Hood Squadron held a Great Start to welcome new cadets. Chief Sabo ran a GREAT Great Start. Chief Sabo got almost all the cadets through their

first promotion. They seemed to enjoy getting to know each other and about CAP.

At the September 20th, PT meeting, the flights did stretches and warmups to prepare for the tests. The test started with the PACER test, and then cadets did pushups. After the pushups, cadets went outside and did their sit ups. When everybody finished their PT test, they split up into teams and started playing football. It was an exciting matchup, and the cadets enjoyed playing the game.

The September 27th Character Development meeting went well. After the cadets arrived, they did the opening

formation and split up into flights. Then, the flights did drills and prepared for inspection. After they were done, the cadets had an inspection, which went well. When the inspection was over, Chaplain Wiesman lead a Volun teer Service discussion. After the character development presentation, two speeches were given by C/Lt Col Annika Ziesmer C/CMSgt Adam McAr thur.

C/MSgt Lydia Ori delivered an impromptu speech about Oreosi. There were alot of promotions at this meeting, including C/Amn Asher Engeberg, C/Amn Ezra Engeberg,

C/Amn Aiden Gonka,

C/Amn Orion Jensen, C/Amn Caeden Thibault, C/Amn Liam Wood

C/A1C Thomas Owens

C/SrA Hagen Matthews

C/SrA Lars Mellerstig

C/Tsgt Theodore Neroda, C/MSgt Lydia Ori

C/MSgt Grania Wegemer

C/CMSgt Dominic Brunelle

C/CMSgt Kai Halliburton

A special meeting was held on September 29th so that CAP National Executive Officer Col R. Jason Bailey could meet alot of AKWG cadets in a setting less formal than the Wing Conference. 32 cadets from four of Southcentral Alaska squadrons (Arcturus, Birchwood, Lake Hood & Polaris) met at the Birchwood hangar. Cadets did drill and TLPs, mixing and mingling cadets of all 4 squadrons. When everybody was done with the TLPs, Col Bailey, a great supporter of the CAP Cadet Program, delivered an inspiring message. He strongly encouraged cadets to be very welcoming to prospective cadets when ever they visit CAP meetings and to work toward their Spaatz (Cadet Colonel) milestone.

Photo: Col R Jason Bailey, CAP National Executive Officer attends a meeting with 32 cadets from Anchorage and the MatSu Valley.

Fairbanks

Marcy Ward has been a 3rd grade teacher for more than 36 years in Fairbanks and participated in the CAP TOP flight program at the 9th Fairbanks Composite Squadron this fall. She is very active in the science teacher community and involves students in STEM, space exploration and aviation learning. Partnering with local teachers supports CAP’s mission, recruitment, and visibility in the community. Photo courtesy of Maj Ute Kaden.

Having excellent and well trained scanners and observers available for CAP missions is the key for success. Skills include communications with RCC, working the radios, getting weather information, taking photos, guiding the pilot during flight toward search areas, and scanning the search areas.

Photos by Maj. Ute Kaden: SM Sarah Catalano Gennusa (top, 9th Fairbanks Composite Squadron) and 1st Lt Marissa Kaufmann (71st Eielson Composite Squadron) worked with Maj Ute Kaden during the training. Lt Marissa Kaufmann prepares for her F5. She finished her scanner qualifications and will be our newest CAP VFR pilot!

Aerospace Education

FEATURED STEM KIT - OUTDOOR QUADCOPTER: Use the Outdoor Quadcopter to teach beginners the joy of flying. While cadets and students are learning to navigate the skies, they will also become skilled in teamwork activities, eyehand coordination, motor skills and a variety of disciplines in and out of the classroom. Cadets and students can even experiment with simple modifications of the quadcopter to allow for drone racing and obstacle course flying. Included with the quadcopter will be a remote-control transmitter, an extra battery and a battery charger. For further applications and activities of the kit, download the CAP Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Activity Booklet that is available in the AE Downloads and Resources section of the CAP member portal, eServices.

This kit is an extension of the Model and Remote-Control STEM Kit; therefore, applicants are encouraged to contact and work with local Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) clubs for additional guidance with the kit. The kit is recommended for ages 12 and older. (Photo at Birchwood; from September 2022 AE Monthly Newsletter. See more here.) Hat tip to Lt Col Derk MacPherson, Wing Director of Aerospace Education.

Arcturus

Promotion Night at Arcturus with C SSgt. Zuber and Lt Col McCarthy, Squadron Commander

Kenai

Every Monday 6:30 to 8:30 Kenai Cadets and Seniors make Aerospace, Leadership, Safety and Character Development Presentations. We welcomed new members: Cadet Zion Henderson and Cadet Remington Jackson. We are lucky to have them. C/2dLt Wyatt Cole made an excellent presentation on Leadership. He covered Customs and Courtesies. He described the proper use of the uniform. He spoke of Flag Etiquette. How do you get respect he asked? A good discussion occurred.

Cadet Cole described the Types of Respect. He presented slides as a back ground for his talk. Using titles, the salute/Brace, the opportunity to hold the door for someone, were all covered. Concerning the American flag, don’t drop it. Do not let it touch the floor. The flag is burned if it is damaged. Color Guard was discussed. It is all about Respect. A good discussion occurred

among the cadets.

TLP Team Leadership Program was pre sented by C/SMSgt Matthew Schwartz and C/MSgt Joseph Schwartz. They explained the concept to new cadets. “Trust Your Teammates!” Cadets then proceeded to accomplish a physical task which only could be successful using other cadets. It was necessary for cadets to work as a team to accomplish the task. It was a very energetic activ ity. They learned to trust their teammates, Mission accomplished!

Orientation flights will occur in good weather.

Cadets continue to work on their achievements.

All cadets are working hard, setting a good example in our community and supporting each other in practicing the Core Values.

Southeast

This month Southeast Composite Squadron has been settling back into the regular school year routine. Everyone has returned from summer travels and now has more time to focus on promotions.

In Juneau the cadets have been work ing hard at getting promoted, taking char acter development classes, and working on drill. They have also been practicing two min ute speeches and participating in aerospace activities. Five prospective cadets have been attending recent meetings, and two have of ficially joined and are now cadets. They also had a game night for the fifth Thursday of September.

In Sitka, the cadets have had an exciting month. They started the month with PT and an introduction to model rocketry. The following week cadets prepared the rockets and launched them. Each cadet got to complete the process with two rockets. They had a movie night and watched Second Hand Lions. To end the summer the cadets went on a hike. They worked together to find fire start ing materials and start a fire. They all learned many important fire starting skills. After they had the fire started, they celebrated with hot dogs and cookies before hiking back. This month three new cadets have joined in Sitka and C/1st Lt Clifton received his promotion.

In Hoonah cadets focused on drill, PT, and community service opportunities. It is harvest time in Southeast Alaska. The cadets have been helping members of the community to dig, wash, sort, crate, and carry pota toes! Although often tiring, helping others to prepare for winter brings satisfaction and

thankfulness in being ready for winter.

With Winter Raptor Applications open, the squadron has one senior member and eight cadets registered for Winter Raptor in Oregon.

By C/1st Lt Thomas R. Clifton.

Education and Training

Help Your Squadron Advance! Become a VolU Instructor!

National’s vision for this new E&T (Education & Training) program is that each squadron have at least one VolU (Volunteer University) instructor. VolU instructors can teach, in person or virtually, Levels they themselves have completed. If you are interested in joining the team and helping to take CAP education and training into the future, please complete these three steps.

Step 1: Complete the Volunteer University Instructor Application

Step 2: Once your application is approved by region and wing command, you will be enrolled in the VOLU Instructor Course in AXIS for which there are 6 brief modules to work through. For more information or assistance, contact NHQ VolU instructors at instruCtor@Cap.gov

Step 3: After completing the online portion of the Instructor Course, you must par ticipate in a one-hour virtual training session to be fully qualified as a Volunteer University assistant instructor

or instructor and to learn how to enter completed modules in eServices. Sign up for this step using the Education and Training Calendar searching for offerings titled “Instructor Course Vir tual Session”.

Once you have completed the virtual training session, you will receive your eServices permissions as an instructor or assistant instructor. Questions? Contact us at instruCtor@Cap.gov

Facebook groups that can support you as a VolU instructor:

CAP VolU Instructors group: https://www.faCebook.Com/ groups/378324606770504

ET- Civil Air Patrol Education & Training Group: https://www.faCebook.Com/ groups/635312233678572

Civil Air Patrol - Virtual Training Notification Group: https://www.faCebook.Com/ groups/2973181479391506

https://www.goCivilairpatrol. Com/members/ed training/volu main)

By Capt Karen Padgett

CAP New Communication Equipment

By Laura Emerson

Nationally, CAP is upgrading all of its high frequency communication radios from analog Motorola MICOMs to dig ital Codan Sentry stations. The US Air Force is paying for the new equipment. The initial roll out, over the past two months, was to a dozen or so Net Con trollers who actively participate in the daily National Net. The second set of radios is being distributed to two operators in each Wing who are capable of setting up Message Center Stations.

Col Kristin Freeman (DCS RMR, IDWG). Her PowerPoint is available upon re quest.

The new radios are capable of working in digital voice mode. The advantages of digital voice is that it reduces noise heard by the operators, and it can get a signal through under conditions where analog voice couldn’t. (The dis advantages are that digital voice has a noticeable lag time, and because the signal is sent in short bursts, the sending operator has to pause to allow for that.) Alaska was one of the first states in the country to receive these. They were given to Pete Pritchard, Senior Member of the Arcturus squadron, and Lt. Col. Bryan Emerson, the Wing Director of Communications. Initial op erator training was conducted at the recent Alaska Wing Conference by Lt

Because the radios are equipped for data operation, they have many advantages over the prior equipment:

1. Pritchard`s radio will remain on 24/7, 365 days a year, and capable of receiving and storing messages even if no one is present at that moment;

2. The data transmissions are digital.

The Alaska Wing anticipates additional radios, probably in the summer of 2023. The goal is one per squadron. The first recipients will be those mem bers who regularly participate in the

weekly nets on Saturdays. Subsequent radios will be disseminated, one per squadron, to someone who has passed the ICUT qualifications for radio operations.

If you are interested in participating in the Wing’s weekly (or National daily) net, or have questions about ICUT qual ifications or installation of these radios for your squadron, contact Bryan Emerson at bryan.emerson@akwg.cap.gov.

Note: In addition to replacing the HF radios, National will also replace our VHF radios with Motorola APX hardware in future years. Stay tuned.

Tail

In the News:

- wrangell st. elias national park and preserve enCourages aviation safety after reCent Crashes

What a great annual wing conference! Thanks to all who par ticipated. Please note on your calendars the 2023 annual Wing Conference for October 6 - 8.

This online publication is designed to attract, inform and motivate readers through pho tos, text and stories. We see and feel the four core values in the faces and body language of the cadets and senior members portrayed herein.

If you would like to propose any content by the 15th of each month or provide feedback then please contact me.

Volunteers serving America’s communities, saving lives, and shaping futures.

Col Bryan Emerson, CAP Publisher and Editor

Wing PAO, DC