Arcturus

On April 4th, the Arcturus cadets hosted a representative from Toastmasters International to talk about the organization and provide the cadets with a character development block on public speaking. Ms. Melissa Jean is the Club Growth Director for Toastmasters International District 32, which encompasses approximately 72 clubs throughout Alaska and parts of western Washington state.

According to the Toastmasters web page, there are 15 clubs in the Anchorage area and two clubs respectively in Palmer and Wasilla. Toastmasters International is a wonderful organization with the mission of helping people improve their public-speaking and leadership skills. With assistance from senior members Robert Davidson and Jeremaih Maierson, Ms. Jean presented the cadets with lots of good tips on speaking, and every cadet got the opportunity to give a speech.

Lt Col Jim McCarthy, CAP Commander, CS-17 (Arcturus Sqdn)

(H) 907.337-8351

(C) 907.350-7951

U.S. Air Force Auxiliary 143093@akwg.cap.gov akwg.cap.gov

Arcturus Squadron meeting, in this evening few cadets participated in iversity Equity and Inclusion Class.

Arcturus’s Squadron they had the opportunity to learn about engineering and hands on, at UAA .

We have the participation of C/CMSgt Justus, C/A1C Davidson, C/A1C Davidson, C/A1C Montoya and Auvaa, adding a small video about DEI 2023.

We have the presence of the Alaska Wing Diversity Officer 2Lt. Elizabeth Justus

JBER Raptors Feel The Need For Speed: Alaskan Cadets Inspired by Raptor Day Demonstration

C/1st Lt Reagan Benedict, CAP April

8th, 2023

On April 1st, 2023, 46 cadets representing 6 different squadrons from the Alaska Wing Civil Air Patrol toured F-22 Raptors of the 302nd Fighter Squadron on Joint Base ElmendorfRichardson. Lt Col Pearson, Commander of the 302nd, provided the guided tour and hosted the cadets at the 90th Fighter Squadron facilities.

Cadets began the day by falling into flights and reciting the pledge of allegiance. A safety briefing was conducted to inform cadets of rules within the hangar and the flight line. Cadets were introduced to several flight crews of the 302nd, and given a brief history of the squadron. The pilots flying that day were part of a program called Weekend Warriors, in which retired fighter pilots train a couple weekends a month flying reserve missions, in addition to working their normal jobs.

The F-22 crews provided cadets with an in-depth tour of the aircraft, to include the different flight systems, weaponry capabilities, and airframe components. Cadets were able to observe the inside of a Raptor missile bay and the jet intake. Cadets were even shown how the F-22’s missile defense and avoidance system operates, to include how the complex system is maintained.

Lt Col Pearson explains the F-22’s jet intake to cadets. (Credit: US Air Force 477th Fighter Squadron)

“Because of the F-22’s design, it can fly supersonic without the use of afterburners,” said Lt Col Pearson when asked about the Raptor’s capabilities.

After touring an F-22 in the maintenance hangar, cadets were filed into the Operations Briefing Center to join pilots for their weather and operations morning flight briefing. After the briefing cadets followed the pilots to the equipment room, where Lt Col Pearson explained the mechanics of their flight suits. Several cadets were able to try on certain pieces of flight gear, such as vests orhelmets. Cadets then split into groups and moved outdoors, each visiting a designated hangar to observe an F-22 Raptor begin its flight preparation and start-up sequence.

Raptor ground crews explained to cadets how the F-22 uses a Jet Fuel Starter (JFS) system to begin a concentrated burn to warm up their engines. The pilots used this time to complete pre-flight checklists and test aircraft control surfaces. The F-22 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 turbofan engines with afterburners and two-dimensional thrust vectoring nozzles. After the engines were sufficiently warmed and all flight systems had been cleared, the F-22s began their taxi to the runway to begin their mission.

Cadets transitioned to a road adjacent the tarmac and watched as seven F-22s practiced afterburner take-off sequences with vertical climb-outs. After viewing the F-22’s take off, cadets moved to the Base Exchange (BX) for lunch, which offered numerous food options and shopping opportunities.

MSgt Cecil Johnson, a USAF C-130 Loadmaster out of Little Rock, Arkansas, approached senior members during lunch and offered an unscheduled viewing of the C-130 Hercules he is assigned to. Cadets were given a tour of the C-130, including a verbal presentation by MSgt Johnson. Cadets also used this opportunity to capture a group photo with him and the C-130.

Cadets receive a weather/ops briefing in the Operations Briefing Center. (Credit: 2nd Lt Rick Benedict, AK076)

When asked about the highlights of their day, C/Tsgt Alora Tolbert-Nielsen said this, “My two favorite things about the Raptor tour were watching the raptors take off, and being able to watch one of the pilots do a pre-flight check.” This concluded an exciting day of learning, opportunity, and fun for the cadets of Alaska Wing.

Point Of Contact

1st Lt Reagan Benedict, CAP, AK076

659204@akwg.cap.gov

Alaska Wing Cadets look to the skies as they tour F-22 Raptors from the 302nd Fighter Squadron. #RaptorDayFun

F-22 Raptor tour , few Squadrons got together for a Saturday tour they had pilots talking and showing the Raptors and tour inside C130 airplane with military, Cadets and Senior Members.