Important announcements

Save the Date

2023 AKWG Annual Conference, Anchorage, October 6-8

Required Water Safety (WS) Training Available for Operations Qualification More information in ES section

June 18-24, 2023: Alaska Wing Encampment (Encampment Commander Col Brian “Irish” Porter) Cadet Cadre/Staff start Thur 6/15/23. Registration opens 3/15/23.

June-August 2023: NCSAs at various US locations

Wing Vacancies

Commander AK-93 Lake Hood

• Leads senior members and cadets in accomplishing the CAP ES, AE and cadet programs.

• Provides leadership and oversight to staff in executing weekly meetings.

• Responsible for compliance with CAP policy, guidance and operating procedures.

• Reports to the AKWG Commander.

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.

Character Development Instructor

• The Character Development Instructors are part of the CAP Chaplain Corps but have different qualifications and responsibilities than chaplains.

• Complete training requirements for character development instructors.

• Present character development lessons for cadets in the absence of a Chaplain.

Development Officer

• Directs and coordinates overall planning activities.

• Develop plans for and monitor the overall implementation of special projects/programs as directed by commander/headquarters.

• Plan and coordinate region, wing or group conferences.

• Interpret laws, policy statements, directives, regulations, and other communications received from higher headquarters and integrate their requirements and guidance into plans and programs.

• Assist in the development of operational plans and programs when requested.

Director of Aerospace Education

• Implement aerospace education policy and advise their commander on the status of AE programs.

• Recruit, train and assist subordinate AE personnel in accomplishing a successful AE mission.

• Establish and review budget requirements.

• Develop AE Plan of Action (Wing level only).

Wing Command NCO

• Participate in the decision-making process, as appropriate, on technical, operational and organizational issues.

• Advise the Wing Commander for dress and personal appearance items affecting CAP members and specifically NCOs.

• Serve as a representative of the Wing Commander.

• Serves on award and recognition selection committees.

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.

Within the Civil Air Patrol we use several abbreviations.

Let's review them:

9 th Composite Squadron

On March 16 th , 2023, the cadets of the 9 th Composite Squadron headed outside to practice lighting fires at the Fairbanks hangar. The fire building exercise consisted of several stages. First the cadets had to light their fires (using only ferro rods and steel), build them to sufficient size to melt through a thin piece of paracord suspended over each fire building station, then use the firesto cook dessert with supplies provided by cadet leadership.

(L to R) C/2dLt Andrew Smoot & C/Amn Jonah Reynolds watch C/Amn Sarah Batz roast a marshmallow while prospective cadet Daniel Long enjoys the warmth of cadet-built practice fires. 9th Composite Squadron hangar, March 16, 2023.

Before the cadets headed outside to begin the fire building, safety officer, C/MSgt T. Dote led a safety briefing. He asked the cadets to list possible hazards related to the exercise, such as splinters from the logs, burns, and smoke inhalation. He then described how to avoid them, then presented instructions and tips on how to properly light a fire.

Before the meeting started, cadets C/A1C L. Dote, C/SSgt C. Long, and C/Capt. Weisensel volunteered to shovel three firepits out of the snowbank. They constructed the firepits so that the fires, once lit, could be easily extinguished by pushing snow down into the fire. After the safety briefing, the cadets headed outside to begin the exercise. The cadets split into three teams, collected bark, wood, and dry pine covered in lichen, and headed to their respective fire area to begin working on their fire. Team 2 was the first to light their fire and melt their rope, followed by Team 3, then Team 1.

Once all three pieces of cord had been melted, team 2 was declared the winner, and all three teams cooked marshmallows and enjoyed tasty s’mores. The cadets extinguished the fires and debriefed in the warm hangar. The Fairbanks cadets had a fun and educational time learning an important element of winter survival.

Written by C/TSgt Hannah Long.

Polaris-Lake Hood Joint Cadet Operations

by C/TSgt Thomas Owens

As winter fades into spring, Lake-Hood Polaris Joint Cadet Operations has quickened its pace. An open house on March 28th preceded the Drills and Ceremonies meeting, giving prospective cadets a few hours of CAP to “test the waters”. Having two Drill and Ceremonies meetings this month has given the unit the chance to brush up on rusty drill.

Prospective cadets had another opportunity to learn about CAP customs and courtesies at Polaris during the ES meeting on February 7th, 2023. While they learned and built their foundation for future CAP involvement, the other cadets met at the Radio Club and learned how to read topographic maps, a vital skill for Emergency Services in Alaska, where elevation varies widely.

Continuing forward with rocketry, the Aerospace Education meeting on March 14th covered Newton’s Laws and aerodynamics. The highlight of the meeting was the rocket assembly, with teams of cadets measuring, cutting, and gluing to create their darts of the sky. The squadron is really looking forward to launching them later this year.

Though much of the snow has melted, outdoor PT has remained an elusive dream. Nonetheless, the squadron adapted to indoor PT, using March 21st’s meeting to pass PT tests for promotions. It wasn’t all pain though: C/SMSgt Tolbert-Nielsen arranged indoor games for the cadets and C/Lt Col Lukic presented an impromptu command voice class. This class was especially welcome, as some cadets had never had the chance to call commands using their diaphragms.

C/SrA Benjamin opened the Drill and Ceremonies meeting on March 28th with a great class on customs and courtesies. The Cadet Advisory Council report followed, and C/ CMSgt Wegemer presented her Chief’s speech on leadership mistakes and learning by experience. The Cadet Competition Team acted as color guard for the promotion ceremony, and their hours of practice were visible in their crisp, precise movements. Having a full promotion ceremony with the squadron emphasized the achievements of the cadets promoted that night.