Civil Air Patrol
Alaska Wing Communications Exercise
28 September 2024
As required by CAPR 100-1, Alaska Wing will hold an annual communications exercise on 28 September 2024.
The goals of this year’s exercise are as follows:
1. Give Alaska Wing personnel an introduction to use of HF radio.
2. Test HF paths between Alaska Wing units and stations outside of Alaska.
3. Allow Alaska Wing personnel to earn qualifications.
To achieve these goals, Alaska Wing will have an HF radio contest. Civil Air Patrol HF station operators will be invited to compete by contacting the Alaska Wing stations. Points will be awarded to both the Alaska Wing station and the contacting station. The high point station in Alaska and the high point station outside of Alaska will be the contest winners, and will receive prizes.
The contest will be called the Aurora Borealis Communications Development Exercise, abbreviated ABCDE.
More information in communication section.
Last day to suscribe September 19, 2024.
CONG TULATIONS
TULATIONS TO
The 10 following Alaska Wing squadrons that earned the 2024 Quality Cadet Unit Award!
PCR-AK-009 FAIRBANKS COMPOSITE SQDN
PCR-AK-011 KENAI COMPOSITE SQDN
PCR-AK-015 POLARIS (ANCHORAGE) COMPOSITE SQDN
PCR-AK-017 17TH COMPOSITE (JBER) SQDN
PCR-AK-022 SOUTHEAST COMPOSITE SQDN
PCR-AK-027 DELTA COMPOSITE SQDN
PCR-AK-071 EIELSON 71ST COMPOSITE SQDN
PCR-AK-076 BIRCHWOOD COMPOSITE SQDN
PCR-AK-087 KODIAK ISLAND COMPOSITE SQDN
PCR-AK-093 LAKE HOOD (ANCHORAGE) CADET SQDN
By : Maj. Jan Bobek
Kenai
Every Monday 6:30 to 8:30
Kenai Cadets make Aerospace, Leadership, Health Fitness Zone/Safety, and Character Development Presentations. The presentations are wellplanned, and are meant to educate cadets, and bring out the absolute best in each cadet. The CAP Program is a continual process to form the best leaders in the community.
Cadets volunteered to present Colors at Kenai’s Industrial Appreciation Day. They posted the American and Alaskan flags at the Opening Ceremony.
The cadets who participated were: Zion Henderson, Thomas Drake Anthony, Jacob Ries, Judah Henderson, and Victor Henderson. They did an excellent job and many community members were impressed with their precise marching.
Cadets are continually getting Orientation flights when the weather is good. Flying opens up many new career possibilities for cadets. The experience is unique and inspiring.
WELCOME
to our new cadets:
Augustus Ensey, Blake Aldridge, Elodie Frisk, Mina Marrero, Isaac Wohlers
Joining CAP where strong cadets work hard, makes a positive difference in our community. We’re proud to have these cadets in our Squadron. All cadets are working hard, setting a good example in our community and supporting each other in continuing to practice the Core Values. The world is a much better place with these young cadets in it.
CONG TULATIONS TO
Cadets worked very hard and passed many achievements.
Achievement 2: Landen McGahan and Carter Marvin.
Achievement 3: Hadassah Schwartz, Grace Potvin, and Hadassah Vance. Wright Brothers: Declan Cobb, Joshua Lattin, and Titus Potvin.
Achievement 4: Gianna Traugott.
Achievement 5: Thomas Drake Anthony.
Achievement 7: Noah Cole.
Achievement 8: Hugh Traugott.
Achievement 11: Lane Hillyer and Luke Hillyer.
We are very proud of their efforts and hard work and amazing effort.
On 20 August, 2024 Polaris had an epic PT meeting. We did a one mile run and multiple Cadets broke their PR’s. We played a game called Alaska tag We ended this PT meeting with a game of basketball. This month's PT was a huge moral boost within the squadron.
August has been an exciting time for us at Polaris. We have had our change of command. Polaris has got 3 new cadets this month alone. Our squadron now has 36 Cadets. Along with new cadets we have our new staff term with new and repeating staff members. Polaris has a new Communications NCO (that’s me!), Executive Staff and Line Staff, as well as a Recruiting and Retention NCO and a Logistics officer.
From left to right 2nd Lt Pittsenbargar, C/MSgt Wilcox, and C/CMSgt Wilcox.
C/CMSgt McArthur’s leadership follows this quote by instead of getting livid and punishing someone for getting something wrong or forgetting something, he helps you through it. Cadet McArthur is an exceptional leader. He is there whenever you need him. He loves to help people and get them through
From left to right C/Maj Halliburton and C/Cpt Wegmr
On 27 August, 2024 C/CMSgt McArthur took command of the Polaris Cadet Corps. It has only been two weeks since Cadet McArthur took command and so far, his leadership training is exceeding expectations. I look forward to seeing how this staff term continues.
“You don't lead by hitting people over the head- that's assault not leadership.”
-General Dwight D. Eisenhower. U.S Army
Lake Hood Attends PCR Cadet Competition
Greetings from Lake Hood! The Lake Hood Squadron has had quite the busy month settling in after the change of command. C/Capt Wegemer relinquished command after her 8 month term, and accomplished great feats. Leading the squadron through the solar eclipse mission, sending 18 cadets to encampment, and raising over $ 1,000 for the squadron, her leadership of the squadron will not be forgotten. C/2d Lt Asher Engeberg assumed command of the squadron last month, and has had a triumphant start to his term.
(Left to right, C/CMSgt McArthur, C/MSgt Engeberg, C/2d Lt Engeberg, C/Maj Halliburton, C/SSgt McArthur, and C/Capt Wegemer gearing up to go indoor skydiving).
One Notable Activity that Lake Hood took part of was the 2024 Pacific Region Cadet Competition. After taking 3rd place at the AKWG Cadet Competition, the Lake Hood-Polaris
(Left to right, C/SSgt Mcarthur, C/ Capt Wegemer, C/Maj Halliburton, C/CMSgt McArthur, C/2d Lt Engeberg, and C/MSgt Engeberg at Regionals in March AFB CA)
Lake Hood
team trained vigorously for the Regional Competition. On August 28th, the cadet competition team began their journey to March ARB, in Los Angeles, California.
By: C/Capt Wegemer
The Cadet Competition team fundraised to travel ahead of time to sightsee and enjoy time with the Kodiak Cadet Competition Team. The Competition officially began on August 30th, spanning to September 1st. The team had great fun bonding and working together. Once competition was over, the Pacific Region paid for teams interested to go indoor skydiving, which was a very exciting experience for the team. The team took 3rd place in indoor posting of the colors, great job Lake Hood!
(C/2d Lt Asher Engeberg assuming command From C/Capt Wegemer. 1st Lt Engeberg is Passing the unit flag)
(C/TSgt Davis and C/A1C Mayer pinning on C/MSgt Selby)
During this last month, the Arcturus Squadron has been working diligently, to learn and expand their knowledge.
New skill activities included:
• The squadron has taught new cadets the importance of communication through the game of telephone.
• SM Martin taught “how to interview” witnesses in a search and rescue exercise.
• C/CMSgt Jonathan Maierson showed the squadron how to use the updated eServices with the Absorb program.
Arcturus
By: Cadet TSgt Seamus Davidson
After the squadron’s PT, the group played Sharks and Minnows on the Elmendorf field.
C/MSgt Jacob Maierson suggested creating and implementing a mentor program for new cadets. Senior cadets are in charge of teaching the new cadets on customs and courtesies. The squadron had several new cadets join in the last two months. C/MSgt Maierson organized who would be a mentor for each of the new cadets. This program is in addition to the normal teaching for the new cadets.
CadetEstrada,Victor-A1C
CONG TULATIONS
CadetRupp-Airman
TULATIONS TO
CadetLaw,G-Airman
CadetLaw,D-Airman
CadetJohnson,S-SRA
CONG TULATIONS
CadetJohnson,O-SRA
CadetWaltman - Airman
CadetShepard-Airman
TULATIONS TO
Buller - Mitchell Award
Cadet Guerra - AIC
Cadets experiencing their first powered orientation
Cadets
Cadets Jayden and Kalebb Rivers
Arcturus
By: Lt. Col. Jim McCarthy
Daniel and Gabriel Law
Abigail Martin and Ava Shepard
Rorie Waltman and Miley Rivers
The month of August brought cooler weather and the beginning of the school year.
On August 24, beginning at nine in the morning, the Ninth Composite squadron held a back-to-school barbeque and Conex sorting party. The cadets set up several tables to sort uniforms, camping equipment, and other supplies stored in a Conex container near the hangar, and made tremendous progress before a sudden sprinkling of rain arrived. To prevent the rain from dampening the uniforms, the cadets scrambled to cover the ABUs with Gore Tex rain gear. Once they safely stashed the uniforms in the hangar, the cadets set up for lunch while C/CMSgt Rider cooked hotdogs and burgers.
Throughout the various August meetings, the cadets have been practicing problem-solving, teamwork, and cooperation by untangling a large quantity of donated parachute cords. On the 22nd, C/TSgt Long and C/SSgt Siegfried taught an impromptu class on the cadet oath, which ended in an activity which consisted of all the cadets reciting the cadet oath by taking turns saying the next word. Since the 22nd was also Aerospace Night, the cadets also learned how to fold paper airplanes.
C/AmnSappandC/CaptSmootintentlyuntangle Longobserves.C/MSgtLongrunstogetmore
C/Capt Smoot and C/TSgt Long conduct opening formation while the color guard cadets, (left to right) C/SrAmn Dote, C/CMSgt Rider, C/CMSgt Yew, and C/TSgt Arnold, stand in the background. Visible in the front of the flight (from behind) are Cadets Bowlin and C/Amn Bernardini, 9th COS ramp.
C/CMSgt Yew (front) stands at attention while C/Capt Smoot (back) addresses the cadet formation, 9th COS hangar.
By: C/MSgt Hannah Long
Fairbanks 9th
C/SSgt Peterson, C/A1C Boyer, Cadet Shrodes, and C/Capt Smoot demonstrate their pacer prowess, 9th COS hangar.
More Cadets See the World
As a continuation of our August 2024 Newsletter article showing all the various cadet activities AKWG members participated in all across the United States in May, June, and July, check out where AKWG members continued to travel in August!
C/1st Lt Lane Hillyer of Kenai Squadron attended the Aviation & Aeronautics Business Academy in Queens, New York. He says his favorite part of AABA 2024 was
By: Capt. Karen Padgett
the opportunities he had to speak with experts in many different aviation careers, such as Air Traffic Controllers, Commercial Pilots, and Airline Business Managers. He continues, "The most challenging part was perfecting our group's presentation to share with the judges. Some advice for cadets considering attending is to spend your free time wisely and work on your project as much as possible."
C/1st Lane Hillyer and other cadets in the Aviation and Aeronautics Business Academy learn the layout of the airport for air traffic control practice. See more AABA photos here: https://photos.cap. gov/National-Cadet-Special-Activities/
Aviation-and-Aeronautics-BusinessAcademy
To read a recent PROPS article about AABA, go here: https://www.cap.news/ cadets-focus-on-business-of-aviationaeronautics/
C/1st Lt Gunner Lotz of the Southeast Squadron attended the Civil Engineering Academy at Tyndall, AFB. Lotz states, "My favorite part of this NCSA was learning in consistently fun and interesting classes from some of the most knowledgeable instructors in the Air Force.
One of the biggest challenges was putting together all the knowledge you learned from the week and centralizing it into a group project. For anyone thinking about attending this NCSA, I highly recommend it.
Engineering in the Air Force is a broad term covering well over a dozen jobs. Combined with this NCSA being unparalleled in providing a comprehensive learning experience about each of them, it creates an activity anyone, anywhere, will enjoy."
C/1st Lt Gunner Lotz stands in front of a retired F15 being repurposed as training wreckage at the AF Civil Engineering Academy at Tyndall, AFB. More CEA photos here: https://photos.cap.gov/ National-Cadet-Special-Activities/AFCivil-Engineering-Academy
Finally, at the very end of August, 13 cadets and 5 senior members from Alaska Wing participated in the Pacific Region Cadet Competition. See elsewhere in this newsletter for a report on the Kodiak and
Lake Hood-Polaris team's experiences. Pictured below are most of the cadets upon their return to Anchorage International Airport after an action-packed weekend in Southern California.
Back row left to right: C/1st Branden Lorch, C/CMSgt Adam McArthur, C/Maj Kai Halliburton, Long, C/2d Lt Asher Engeberg. Front row: C/SSgt Sadie McArthur, C/MSgt Ezra Engeberg, who flew directly from the competition to college, Maj Ed Stickel, 1st Lt Jeremy Engeberg,
All told, during the Summer of 2024, more than 25 AKWG cadets and 8 AKWG SMs traveled to the Lower 48 to participate in CAP cadet activities. To all AKWG members, please keep your eyes open for 2025 NCSA
applications opening approximately December 15. And consider attending other wings' encampments, GSARs, and other exciting cadet activities!
Halliburton, C/Capt Grania Wegemer, C/2d Lt Hunter Simeonoff, C/CMSgt Isaac Hall, C/2d Lt Liam
Engeberg, C/CMSgt Kaylin Burnside, C/CMSgt Vivian Lorch. Not pictured: C/2d Lt Connor Burnside
Engeberg, 1st Lt Karen Halliburton, 2d Lt Joyce Lorch, and SM Crystal Burnside.
Alaska Wing Communications Exercise 28 September 2024
Contest Rules And Definitions
Any CAP member who is ICUT and ES qualified may participate. Alaska Wing stations must register at least 10 days in advance, and provide a list of members participating.
Stations outside of Alaska Wing must register at least three days in advance.
All contestants must be signed in to the WMIRS mission for the contest.
Any Net 7 or Net 8 frequencies may be used for contacts.
The contest will start at 0700 Alaska Time (1500Z) and will end at 1600 Alaska Time (0000Z).
A “contact” is defined as an exchange of required information (see below) between an AKWG station and another CAP station on HF radio only. VHF radio contacts will be accepted only within Alaska on simplex channels.
A log must be kept of all contacts, and a copy of the log must be submitted to the exercise PSC within 24 hours of the end of the contest in order to get a score and participation credit. A logging spreadsheet will be made available to all contestants, and must be used. It may be filled out electronically, or it may be printed out, filled out by hand, scanned, and submitted. If it’s filled out by hand, please write clearly.
Use of ReadyOp is permitted only for coordination between stations seeking to have a contact. Likewise, use of ALMR is permitted only for coordination.
The required information for a “contact” is call signs and unit charter numbers. For example, the AKWG DC would give “Sourdough 4, zero zero one”. No region or wing designator should be used. Special call signs (Fast Runner, Blue Sky, Wirehead, Orange Bowl, Desert Star) are not allowed except by
Last day to suscribe
A bonus of 100 points will be awarded to any station that logs contacts with ALL participating AKWG stations (or all other participating stations within Alaska).
All AKWG members who participate in the exercise for at least six hours will receive a challenge coin.
Scoring
A contact is worth 1 point, but is subject to multipliers as follows:
• A multiple operator station in Alaska is X2.
• A station in HI is X2.*
• A station in Alaska operating on emergency power (generator, battery, or solar) is X5.
• A station in PR is X5.*
• A station in Alaska with at least two cadet operators is X10.
The multiplier applies to both stations on the contact. In other words, if a station in Washington makes a contact with an Alaska Wing station on line power staffed by two seniors and three cadets, both stations get 20 points. All logs will be cross checked and scored by the PSC and at least one other CAP member, none of whom will compete in the contest for points.
For participating stations outside of Alaska Wing, only contacts with Alaska Wing stations will be counted for a score.
*We want to encourage our other OCONUS wings to try this, so we’re giving them these multipliers.
To register, please download the attached registration form, fill it out, and email it to 480550@akwg.
cap.gov. September 19, 2024.
All applicable multipliers will be used, so if a station using generator power and staffed by two seniors and two cadets is contacted, that contact is worth 100 points.
Here are the results of our 31 Aug - 1 Sep 24 SAREX:
-4 units involved in the planning, staging and execution of a 2.5-day event focused on initial Ground Team, Aircrew and ICS Staff training. South-Central components were cadet-planned and cadet-led.
- 6 Homer personnel deployed by vehicle to meet simulated DR critical infrastructure survey mission taskings, plugged in virtually as a Geographic Division.
- Lt Col Emerson regained currency on AOBD, GBD, GTL, MO and MS along with annual 70-5A.
- Capt Porter completed all requirements to qualify as GTL.
- Cadet Benedict accomplished all items for GTL, awaiting 18 years of age to fully qualify.
- Cadets Medlin and Slaugenhoup attained GTM2.
- TMP/MP/MO/MS air and ground training accomplished for 3 aircrew members;
accomplished Air-to-Ground and Groundto-Air signalling exercise with 3/3 tasks successfully accomplished, including mirror flashes, ground panel signals and Aircraft-based vectoring of Ground Team to visual clues (15 participants in that activity).
- 8 members from 3 squadrons accomplished all Fam, Prep and Advanced Training for UDF and GTM3, and hard to get land nav, shelter-building and firecraft for GTM2 (they will wrap up IS and First Aid back at their units to complete their qualification).
Lessons Learned:
- Members should ops check their gear and their clothing before going into the field for more than a day hike, focus on layers for cold and wet weather.
- Lack of Motorola VHF radios due
to programming made field comms challenging; used cell phones and ISRs to get the job done.
- N9694L lacks CAP VHF radio programming
- Units should take every opportunity to do Aircrew and GTM task training during their meetings/weekend activities to ensure SAREX activities can focus on repetition/ expanding basic skills (as opposed to teaching basic skills).
I appreciated all the support and the hard work put in by all participants. It was a step forward to have Homer personnel participate remotely. We'll look forward to new challenges and capabilities in November.
Semper vigilans,
C/Lt Col Michael J. Porter, CAP
Historian
Note from Bryan E Sharratt, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, 3 Sept 1995 sent to Col. Pannone after a stop at Elmendorf.
Note Transcrip
Col. Pannone –
Thanks again for getting everyone together to discuss the Alaska Wing of CAP while we refueled at Elmendorf.
As brief as it was, I have a lot better appreciation for the Alaska Wing and all that you are doing, and I am taking your concerns back to the Secretariat as well as the committee I am forming with the Air Staff.
I shared some of the smoked fish and reindeer meats – they were delicious – and I look forward to returning soon for a long time!
Bryan
This looks to be the original charger issued 26 April 1957. Also an onion skin piece of stationary from the same period.
Maj. Martin Krebs
Alaska Wing Staff emails
brandon.anderson@akwg.cap.gov ig@akwg.cap.gov
Capt. Cristopher Becker 631639@akwg.cap.gov se@akwg.cap.gov
Lt Col Stuart Goering stuart.goering@akwg.cap.gov ja@akwg.cap.gov
Capt. Samantha (Reux) Stearns reux.stearns@akwg.cap.gov gr@akwg.cap.gov
2d Lt. Elizabeth Justus elizabeth.justus@akwg.cap.gov
Lt. Col. Stephen Sammons stephen.sammons@akwg.cap.gov cs@akwg.cap.gov
Lt. Col. Brian Porter brian.porter@akwg.cap.gov do@akwg.cap.gov
Lt. Col. Bryan Emerson bryan.emerson@akwg.cap.gov dc@akwg.cap.gov
1st Lt. Lynda MacPherson lynda.macpherson@akwg.cap.gov ae@akwg.cap.gov
Capt. Sky Caldwell 398213@akwg.cap.gov cp@akwg.cap.gov
2d Lt. Elizath Justus elizabeth.justus@akwg.cap.gov recruiting@akwg.cap.gov
SM Michael Inman michael.inman@akwg.cap.gov lgm@akwg.cap.gov
Maj. Caleb Newville
caleb.newville@akwg.cap.gov it@akwg.cap.gov
Capt. Terrance (Terry) Aldridge terry.aldridge@akwg.cap.gov fm@akwg.cap.gov
Maj. Kevin Bottjen kevin.bottjen@akwg.cap.gov hc@akwg.cap.gov
1st Lt. Mary Stella mary.stella@akwg.cap.gov da@akwg.cap.gov
Lt. Col. Bryan Emerson bryan.emerson@akwg.cap.gov pa@akwg.cap.gov
Feel free to write your fellow members with questions and comments.
Wing Vacancies
Assistant Public Affairs Officer - Public Relations, Digital Engagement and Creative Services
• Works with Public Affairs Officer to provide oversight across AKWG units and staff to ensure a CAP-compliant and active social media presence.
• Provides units and staff education.
• Training to develop and sustain relevant social media activities.
• Advises the commander, staff and members as required on CAP social media policy.
Wing NCO Advisor
• Participate in the decision-making process, as appropriate, on technical, operational and organizational issues.
• Work closely with their wing’s command NCO.
• Perform other duties as directed by the wing commander.
• Encourage NCO mentorship of cadets and junior officer CAP members.
Director of Education and Training
Manages and directs the Senior Member Education and Training program at the assigned echelon. They shall:
• Create a positive unit training environment where CAP's adult members can develop their required skills in a comfortable, professional atmosphere.
• Assist with the Level I Onboard modules to ensure that all new adult members receive a thorough orientation and have appropriately assimilated into the unit.
• Coordinate mentors for new adult members and other members as needed.
• Make adult members aware of training material and opportunities available to them through CAP and other sources to prepare them to perform operational missions, staff assignments, and other assigned duties.
Personnel Officer
• Membership records and applications.
• Organizational actions (charters, deactivations, etc.).
• Awards and decorations.
• Duty assignments.
Logistics Officer
The logistics officer advises the wing commander on the status of their respective property management programs and leads programs in accordance with CAPR 130-1 and wing supplements. They shall:
• Train and oversees subordinate unit property management officers
• Account for property assigned to the wing
• Be responsible for real property management in accordance with CAPR 130-1
Health Services Officer
Responsible for advising CAP commanders and units on the health, sanitation and hygiene of CAP members relevant to CAP activities. (See CAPR 160-1(I) for policy on emergency medical treatment).
CAC (Cadet Advisory Council) Senior Member Advisor (virtual meetings 2-3 times/month year-round)
Encampment Commander (2025 AKWG Encampment )
Glider Flight Academy Activity Director (2025 AKWG Glider Academy)
Powered Flight Academy (Distributed) Activity Director (need not be a pilot!) .
FOR FULL JOB DESCRIPTION AND DUTIES, REFER TO CAPP 30-1
Leaves are changing color, firewood is split and bears are wrapping up their banquets. As you saw in this issue, we had many end-of-summer activities, exercises and missions that will provide us with great experiences, stories and reflections for the winter ahead. Yet again, Kenai cadets were honored on a national scale!
We thank Capt. Karen Padgett for her incredibly professional and effective cadet program leadership over the past years. Let’s support fully her replacement, Capt. Skylar Caldwell, a Spaatz recipient, whose “vision for the wing is to shrink the distance between squadrons by connecting members
Lt Col Bryan Emerson, CAP Publisher and Editor
Alaska Wing PAO, DC
BRYAN.EMERSON@AKWG.CAP.GOV 1 (907) 795-5586 cell
through informed and centralized communication, empower active participation and personal growth for cadets and senior members and focus on accurate and effective management of the cadet program.”
This online publication is designed to attract, inform and motivate readers through photographs, 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. Submissions are accepted through the 10th of each month. Be safe and live our core values!
Capt. Julie G. Rivera, CAP Co-Editor
Alaska Wing PAO Assistant 617596@AKWG.CAP.GOV 1 (787) 424-0560