Civil Air Patrol
From Cadet to Wing Commander: Col. Derk MacPherson
February 2024
Game: Word Scramble: Ten CAP Awards Civil Air Patrol offers a number of awards for merit to both Senior and Cadet members. These recognize excellence in leadership, air crew, public affairs, legal affairs, operations, and other important skills and services. Can you unscramble ten of them? The Director of Training welcomes your nominations for Annual Awards in your squadron and duty positions. They are usually distributed at the October Wing Conference. Ten CAP Awards
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Index From Cadet to Wing Commander Col. Derk MacPherson
4 -5
Save the dates
6-7
Cadet Program
8 - 23
Cool and calm under pressure
22 - 23
Communication
24 - 25
Recruitment
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Public Affair
27
Did you know?
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Wing Staff Emails
28
Wing Staff Chart
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Squadron/Flight chart
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Wing Available Positions
30 - 31
Tail Section
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From Cadet to Wing Commander: Col. Derk MacPherson When I was 14 years old, I joined a CAP squadron in San Diego with a friend who was as interested as I in a future career in the Air Force. Perhaps because it was a cadet-only squadron, I enjoyed only one or two orientation flights, but I loved my first encampment at Vandenberg AFB. Through leadership opportunities of the Cadet Program, I became a C/Lt Col, ran a Cadet NCO School and Cadet Airman School. These roles taught me the importance of accuracy and attention to detail. This proved immensely important to my future career in the Air Force, because I became a nuclear weapons maintenance technician, which is obviously a ZERO DEFECT career choice.
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Over the 20 years that I was in the Air Force, I moved around. When in Turkey, obviously, I could not participate in CAP, but in Minot, ND, I served in a variety of positions, including Squadron Leadership Officer, Squadron Commander, and then Wing Chief of Staff. I used to take my two young children with me to meetings, where they sat with coloring books in the corner. I loved participating in the ND Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX), which we rotated all over the state. In advance of the ground team practice, I hid ELTs here and there, like in a farmer’s barbed wire fence.
My favorite CAP activity has been working for two weeks with the Blue Berets at the Osh Kosh Air Venture. I have done this three times, training cadets for marshaling, crowd control, and urban ELT retrieval.
been on operations, emergency services, and flying. Maybe because my personal cadet experience was short on orientation rides, I have committed a lot of hours to give cadets their orientation flights and teachers their Top Flights. In 2021, I flew By the time I finished my stint in the Air 100 hours with teachers. Force, I knew that I wanted to retire to Alaska and earn my pilot’s license, which Altogether, I have spent more than 40 years I did at UAA, thanks to the GI bill. In the in CAP. My cadet training prepared me for process, I worked myself into a second both my career and my current position career. I manage UAA’s Flight Operations as Commander of the Alaska Wing. I am Department. (My favorite plane is the confident that current cadets will find their AirVan). experience as fulfilling and influential as I did, especially if they pursue the leadership In the Alaska Wing, I joined the Polaris opportunities we offer in squadrons, state squadron in Anchorage, and have worked encampments and gatherings across the in a number of duty positions with cadets country. and senior members, but my focus has
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Birchwood
"January was a busy month for the promotion ceremony with 12 cadets Birchwood Composite Squadron. Most elevating in rank, 11 cadets within notably, the squadron conducted a Phase I, and 1 within Phase IV.
CONGRAa TULATIONS TO Cadets Lane Coffman Jacob Foreman Stephen Makar Elijah Richardson Logan Sheridan were promoted to Cadet Airman, reaching their Curry Achievement. Cadet James Wood, who was promoted to Senior Airman (SrA) Cadets Leland Hohmann Noah James-Tagaban Kaden Mattson Seth Michaloski Brandon Mitchell were promoted to Cadet Airman First Class Cadet Reagan Benedict received a promotion from Captain to Major.
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C.Maj Anderson presenting Cadet Benedict's promotion from Captain to Major 1-30-24 Photo by 2d Lt Rick Benedict
The Birchwood Composite Squadron is very proud of these cadets and congratulates them on a job well done.
A change of command occurred in the Cadet Program between Senior Members 1st Lt Rena Anderson and 2d Lt Rick Benedict. Lt Anderson stepped down from serving as the Deputy Commander for Cadets after several years of service in this role. Lt Anderson remains on board with the squadron as a Testing Officer, Activities Officer, and Character
Development Instructor. In addition, she will be organizing orientation flights for cadets and working with SM Rodd Andrews on recruitment and retention. We greatly appreciate and thank Lt Anderson for her years of hard work, service, and dedication to the Birchwood Cadet Program.
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Several classes were taught by our cadets, which not only improved their presentation and speaking skills but also relayed valuable information to cadets. C/2d Lt Ben Parker and C/SrA Wood conducted aerospace classes and activities on topics, one of which concerned aircraft control surfaces. C/ SMSgt Elizabeth Barnette conducted a leadership class, and C/Maj Reagan Benedict briefed cadets in preparation for the upcoming AKWG Winter SAREX at the Birchwood Airport in February. Additionally, our cadet staff met virtually every week throughout the month to train and plan for future events, such as a cadet NCO training day at the squadron scheduled for Sunday, February 25, 2024.
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Finally, Cadet Commander Reagan Benedict represented the squadron on the monthly AKWG Cadet Commanders call. Cadet commanders organize monthly calls to network with each other, collaborate, and align the cadet
programs within the Wing." Rick Benedict, 2d Lt, CAP Deputy Commander for Cadets Birchwood Composite Squadron AK076
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Arcturus Arcturus Squadron held its latest promotion ceremony on January 23 at the Air Warrior Event Center (AWEC) on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
(JBER). Our cadets kept busy completing achievements during the long winter holiday season, resulting in a long list of those receiving their next rank.
The following cadets were promoted:
CONGRAa TULATIONS TO Keegan Garvens to C/SrA
C/SrA Jacob Maierson with LTC McCarthy
C/2Lt Olson "pinned on" by SM Dave Shook and mother Leila Olson
C/MSgt Johnathan Maierson with LTC McCarthy
Photos taken by 2Lt Jeremiah Maierson
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C/A1C Aspen Frye with father and LTC McCarthy
C/Amn Matthew Flores with parents and LTG McCarthy
C/SMSgt Thomas Buller with his father and LTC McCarthy
C/SSgt Seamus Davidson with LTC McCarthy and sister Aowyn Davidson Seamus
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The evening also saw a change-ofcommand ceremony, at which C/2lt James Shook accepted command of the Arcturus cadets from C/2lt Giovanni Zuber. Cadet Zuber was not able to join the gathering in person, but nevertheless, he was able to dial in by speakerphone to congratulate James
and relay his thanks to the group for having been given the honor of serving as commander. Giovanni made a tough decision to end his tenure early in order to accept promotion as commander of his high school JROTC unit and devote his full attention to that unit's upcoming major inspection.
Lt Col Jim McCarthy, CAP Commander, CS-17 (Arcturus Sqdn) U.S. Air Force Auxiliary 143093@akwg.cap.gov akwg.cap.gov
C/Capt Andrew Martin briefs cadets on writing an after-action report 14
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The AWEC Conference Room
Celebrating Promotion night with a good buffet Photos taken by 2Lt Jeremiah Maierson CAP AKWG 15
Polaris At Polaris, our steadfast commitment to our cadets to become the adults of the prioritizing mental health underscores future. the importance we place on fostering
C/Lt. Col. Porter teaches an interactive class on Close are Support.
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We extend our sincere gratitude to Special thanks to Bolt, a charming canine Chaplins Mcentire (Maj.) and Christensen companion, for giving us the gift of fur for gracing us with their insightful and smiles. We would also like to thank presence during their visit, enriching our SPC. Quebman for his visit and insightful collective understanding of well-being.
class on first aid.
“Have a transcendent sense of selfworth” Chaplin Mcentire (Maj.)
SPC. Quebman demonstrates how to use a nasopharyngeal airway device.
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CONGRAa TULATIONS TO all the cadets who have been promoted this month, fly high! Promotees Cadets Meyer, Stiglich, Hess, Tesch, Clerc, Burke, Korte, and Oistad.
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Cool and calm under pressure: How a lesson I learned as a student in CAP helped me and my crew survive the Kabul Airlift By Capt. Veronica Morthorpe 3rd Flying Training Squadron at Vance my mistakes, and despite having a bit AFB, Okla. of apprehension about my upcoming check ride, he encouraged me to push Instructor Pilot forward. I never imagined that a lesson I learned as a 15-year-old student pilot would help me save the lives of my passengers and crew on one of the most important missions of my life.
Two days later, I took off for my check ride and my examiner simulated a rope break in the exact same place! Unlike my first attempt, I mimicked Mr. Perkins’ actions, responding immediately and placing the glider in a safe position to As a member of Birchwood Composite land. Squadron in Alaska, I was flying one final practice ride in an ASK-21 glider with My recent failure showed me the my flight instructor, Maynard Perkins, in necessity of always being prepared for preparation for my private pilot check- the unexpected. ride. Thirteen years later, in 2021, I was a new aircraft commander of a C-17 On the sortie, Mr. Perkins simulated Globemaster III flying out of Kabul, a rope break on the upwind leg of the Afghanistan, with 500 passengers tow, something which I had never strapped to the cargo floor. seen before. I hesitated to respond and fumbled the controls while trying to Immediately after takeoff, my aircraft lost figure out how to orient myself to land. three generators and the C-17 is a fly-bywire aircraft. This means the generators Mr. Perkins took the aircraft from me play a crucial role in navigation, and safely landed. After the flight, we communication, flight controls, and dissected the sortie, deconstructing electronic engine controls.
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With the fourth generator potentially on its last leg, the risk of operating a degraded aircraft with only a limited battery would have been a significant challenge in a combat environment, especially with more than a thousand miles of instrument flying conditions between us and Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar and 500 refugees on board. I decided the safest plan would be to perform an emergency landing back in Kabul.At that moment, my experience as a 15-year-old in the ASK-21 came back into my mind. I visualized the maneuver Mr. Perkins conducted to bring the glider safely to the runway. Once again mimicking his actions, I navigated over Taliban-controlled territory to avoid the mountains, and we landed safely a few minutes later. All passengers and crew later boarded another C-17 and arrived safely in Al Udeid. The lessons I learned from that glider flight, along with all the other flight lessons under the instruction of Mr. Perkins, Ed Kornfield, Jeff Banks, and many other mentors, taught me to keep a level head and make timely decisions even when the solution is not immediately clear. I believe I owe 508 lives to the lesson I learned in the ASK-21 as a teenager. And now, as an instructor pilot for the 3rd Flying Training Squadron at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, I continue to use and teach these same lessons to my students every day.
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Cadet Programs Update
February 2024 Cadet Programs Successes, CAC Report (C/Maj Thomas Clifton)-Challenges, and Upcoming Activities Committees for “See the (akwg.cap.gov/programs/cp) World,” Retain cadets & Systematizing CAC Turnover process. Still Recent Successes hoping for reps from Fairbanks, Tok, Valdez, Kodiak NEW EASIER WAY TO TAKE TLC CLASSES!! (Training Leaders of Cadets--I great way to Ongoing Challenges: help out the cadet program in your unit): Retaining cadets--Curry & O-flights pack the National is offering virtual TLC Basic classes most punch for retention every odd-numbered month, and TLC Increasing SM involvement/training with Intermediate classes on even months. Dates cadets. are scheduled up to 4 months in advance. More CDIs needed. Contact K Padgett if Go here for more information: https://www. interested. gocivilairpatrol.com/programs/cadets/ Funding for cadets to attend NCSAs, NFAs, cpofficer/tlc/nationally-offered-courses To other wings’ encampments, and other search & register for TLC classes in eServices, training/career exploration. click on the Registration Zone, then "Event Encourage cadets to prep for/take FAA Registration," then type "TLC" in the search Written (akwg.cap.gov/programs/cp) window. AK Flight Academies: 21 cadets accepted for Glider, 13 for Powered 6 AK Cadets progressing thru Cadet Wingsfunded Flight Training *NEW* Cadet Oath Song on www.youtube. com/@alaskaca
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Scheduled events < 60 Days •Activities in next 60 days: 2nd Wednesday of every month at 7pm: Monthly DCC/CPO Chat & Checkin. Details available here: https://akwg.cap. gov/programs/cp/cpos
Events Planned > 60 Days 5/24-6/2/24 AKWG Glider Flight Academy 6/16-6/22 AKWG Encampment Summer 2024: Region Cadet Competition, NCSAs, L48 Encampments, etc.
2/29 National Legislative Day 17-19 FEB Ak Coastal Training Academy 3/1 AKWG Powered Flight Academy
7/1/24 Cadet Wings Applications open– Next goal date for passing FAA written!
(Distributed) Begins 3/1-5/15/24
AKWG
Powered
Flight
Academy: Cadets notified of their selection need to need to complete ground school/be endorsed for FAA written ASAP!!
Stay Safe and Stay Connected! Capt Karen Padgett, CAP Alaska Wing Director of Cadet Programs karen.padgett@akwg.cap.gov
akwg.cap.gov/programs/cp
Photo by: Capt. J. Rivera
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Chirp On The Signal? By: Lt. Col. Kristin Freeman I question my sanity on a regular Apparently,
the
insanity
was
basis. About two weeks ago, I started contagious, because my husband questioning my sanity far more started hearing the alert tones and urgently for yet another reason: I beeps, too. kept hearing my Codan radio going off, but when I checked it, there was The mystery was solved when I was no incoming call.
working in my kitchen, and I heard the Codan beep. But the sound was
When someone calls a Codan radio, coming from the wrong direction, the radio gives an initial alert signal. not from the radio room. The After that, it displays the calling culprit was my 22 year old cockatiel, station’s ID and sits there and beeps appropriately named Echo. until the receiving operator clears the screen. I was hearing both the This puts a whole new meaning on initial alert signal and the beeps “chirp on the signal”. indicating that there was a call, when the screen showed nothing.
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" Echo"
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CAP Recruitment In 2023, the Alaska Wing had 840 members, a growth rate of 10% over 2022. Our primary recruitment method is through current members. For example, in 2022, 66 new members joined thanks to invitations by 46 members. We also conduct proactive outreach through state Air Shows and Junior and Senior High schools.
cards or brochures with the staff members. In 2023, I visited 4 schools, primarily in the Anchorage area. Would you like to visit schools in other parts of the state? I welcome your help.
AEROSPACE EDUCATION and TOP FLIGHTS: Two other excellent recruitment tools are flights for teachers and CAP National’s excellent Aerospace Education Program, which provides interesting, AIR SHOWS: At air shows, CAP sets up a table of hands on STEM lesson plans primarily designed to brochures and business cards, with senior and cadet enrich math and science curricula. members happy to answer questions. We also set up the flight simulator, which is always popular. In In the Top Flight program, senior members take 2023, we appeared at events in Anchorage, Palmer, teachers on short flights. They love this memorable Valdez, and Eielson Air Force Base. experience and ask lots of questions about CAP, thus becoming enthusiastic co-marketers for us. In CAP members who would like to volunteer to work 2021 alone, our Commander, Col Derk MacPherson for their choice of 2, 4, or 6 hour shifts are welcome volunteered 100 hours on this project. Many thanks to contact me at recruiting@akwg.cap.gov. These to all of our pilots who volunteer this gift to teachers. air shows are a fun way for cadets to fulfil some of their required 60 hours of service and to practice SENIOR and CADET RECRUITERS: Our members are their public speaking skills, and then, before or after our best recruiters. All are encouraged to bring their shift, enjoy the other exhibits. friends, siblings, children, or parents to meetings. Some join CAP. Even those who do not, enjoy a Mark your calendar for: positive impression of our organization. Some parents, who want to support their children’s May 4-5, 2024: The Great Alaska Aviation Gathering CAP activities without joining themselves, can at the Palmer State Fairgrounds participate as Sponsoring Members, which involves a lower time commitment. May 10 – 12: The Valdez STOL Competition and Flyin Thank you all for sharing your positive experience with CAP. July 20 – 21: Arctic Lightning Air Show at Eielson AFB If any readers have questions, suggestions, or need JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS: The principals and teachers more brochures, feel free to email me any time. are always our points of contact in schools. With their permission, volunteers and I talk to 3 or 4 classes in a 2 Lt Elizabeth Justus day, for about 10 minutes each about CAP’s activities elizabeth.justus@akwg.cap.gov and programs, as well as D.E.I. We leave business recruiting@akwg.cap.gov
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Did you know?
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Alaska Wing Staff emails Capt Brandon Anderson
brandon.anderson@akwg.cap.gov
ig@akwg.cap.gov
Capt Donald (DJ) Burand
dj.burand@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 Maj Donald Duff
lynda.macpherson@akwg.cap.gov
ae@akwg.cap.gov
donald.duff@akwg.cap.gov pd@akwg.cap.gov
Capt Karen Padgett karen.padgett@akwg.cap.gov cp@akwg.cap.gov 2d Lt Clint Justus clint.justus@akwg.cap.gov lg@akwg.cap.gov Maj Donald Duff
donald.duff@akwg.cap.gov dp@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
2d Lt Clint Justus clint.justus@akwg.cap.gov xp@akwg.cap.gov Maj Kevin Bottjen kevin.bottjen@akwg.cap.gov hc@akwg.cap.gov 1st Lt Mary Stella
mary.stella@akwg.cap.gov ho@akwg.cap.gov
Lt Col Robert Thomas robert.thomas@akwg.cap.gov hs@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
If you have room, feel free to write your fellow members with questions and comments.
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Photo by: Capt. J. Rivera
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WING VACANCIES
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. 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. 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.
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Photo by: Capt. J. Rivera
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.
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. FOR FULL JOB DESCRIPTION AND DUTIES, REFER TO CAPP 30-1
JOIN US CAP AKWG 31
Were you one of the brave ones who camped out overnight in the snow at the Winter Bivouac/SAREX? This popular annual exercise incorporated members from all over the wing on the ground (think Ground Team training), in the air (aviators) and on the air (communicators). Let’s congratulate those cadets and who were promoted and who were involved in changes of command. Don’t forget to register now for the great upcoming activities including encampments, conferences, classes and flight academies, among many others. When could you ever confuse a radio and a bird? Well, Lt Col Kristin Freeman does that every week when her cockatiel, appropriately named Echo, mimics the tone of an incoming call on a Codan HF radio!
Lt Col Bryan Emerson, CAP Publisher and Editor Alaska Wing PAO, DC BRYAN.EMERSON@AKWG.CAP.GOV 1 (907) 795-5586 cell
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!
https://www.facebook.com/AlaskaCAP
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Capt. Julie G. Rivera, CAP Co-Editor Alaska Wing PAO Assistant 617596@AKWG.CAP.GOV 1 (787) 424-0560