Civil Air Patrol

November 2023

Greetings Alaska Wing,

I would like to thank everyone for coming to our Wing Conference and Banquet last month, and I’m hoping everyone either learned a new skill or was able to improve their own personal and professional development. One of things that has come up from our recent conference is “Why do we hold it everyone year on the first weekend in October?” Well, that is a question that I have been asking for years. We are going to be looking at other options to move the conference to a different time frame. I’m also looking for someone (or someone’s) to organize and plan our next wing conference. If you’re interested in helping with this, please reach out to myself and Lt Col Sammons, or wing Chief for Staff.

As this monthly newsletter is coming out just after Veterans Day, let us keep in mind that Veterans Day is a time of celebration. It’s a time to celebrate the service of all who have worn the uniform. Our uniforms may have been different colors, but we all served under the red, white and blue. Regardless of whether a veteran has or has not been in combat, there is a bond that they all share. Veterans have all practiced the servant leadership that is needed to make a great military work. It is this servant leadership that Americans everywhere should acknowledge the service of the millions of men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces since our nation’s founding in 1776. Veterans Day is a perfect time to check on the well-being and needs of our comrades. A simple “How are you?” is your opportunity to Be the One for a veteran who may need to know that someone cares, someone will listen.

This holiday season provides us all a great time to reflect on the things we’re thankful for. Personally, I treasure all the opportunities Civil Air Patrol allowed me to experience and the friends, and family, I made over the years. More recently, being appointed as the Alaska Wing Commander and I’m both humbled and thankful. So, during this Thanksgiving holiday I want to wish you all a safe and relaxing time to share with those closest to you. Let’s make sure you plan ahead, stay alert and let’s all come back from the holiday recharged and ready to go.

Again, it’s an honor to serve and represent you every day and I thank you all for your service.

Happy holidays!

Col Derk MacPherson

Alaska Wing Commander

Lake Hood Cadet Squadron

The Lake Hood cadet squadron is abuzz with high spirits, and October saw a surge in excitement, particularly during our Halloween-themed fun meeting.

Despite the tempting prospect of trickor-treating, many of our dedicated cadets chose to attend this enjoyable gathering.

Cadet Commander C/1st Lt Halliburton posing for a Picture

Cadet: C/1stLt Kai C Halliburton

A Fun meeting in the Lake Hood squadron.

Date: 10/31/23

Photographer: C/TSgt Patrick M Johansen

As the weather undergoes a transformation with the arrival of fresh snow, I want to emphasize the importance of safety for everyone.

Please make sure to stay safe and enjoy the upcoming season.

By: C/TSgt Patrick Johansen

A lineup of all the cadets who dressed up

CAP members: C/1stLt Kai C Halliburton, C/SrA Ezra J Engeberg, C/SMSgt Asher L Engeberg, C/CMSgt Adam McArthur, C/2dLt Grania V Wegemer, C/A1C Liam N Wood, C/CMSgt Keena Bennett, C/CMSgt Mariah R Adler, C/Amn Rowdy Reynoso, Guest Reyna Reynoso, C/Amn Ireland Gordon Selby, Cadet Selby’s brother

A Fun meeting in the Lake Hood squadron

Date: 10/31/23

Photographer: C/TSgt Patrick M Johansen

Delta Force Cadet Squadron

Thank you to the unit’s FY2024 Cadet Advisory Council selectees: C/MSgt Medlin as Primary Representative and C/Amn Marshall as the Assistant Representative.

Maj Lorenzana coordinated a guest speakers for the squadron this month:

Brigadier General David R. Doran serves as the Assistant Director ARNG for Aviation, Information and Intelligence at National Guard Bureau in Arlington, Virginia. BG Doran spoke about his over 30 years of military service. He also spoke about the growing need for aviation in military operations. Finally, he answered the cadets’ many questions.

Capt Shmidt presented a lesson on conviction, from the Leadership training guide driving some great discussion from the cadets.

On 14 October, members from the squadron supported the NASA/CAP Solar Eclipse Mission. The squadron conducted synchronized radio transmission to gauge the effects of the solar eclipse on radio communications. Cadets also measured, recorded, and reported temperature, ambient, wind, and cloud conditions. It was a great learning opportunity and supported important research.

The 5 th Tuesday of the October included some fun activities planned by C/MSgt Medlin including board games and group activities.

As we prepare to farewell our Squadron Commander, Capt Kristina Schmidt, we thank her for over 6 years of dedicated service to CAP, over two of those as commander. She navigated the challenges of COVID-19, providing a safe environment for the squadron and maintaining our operational capability. We thank her for all her efforts and for her lasting impact on the 027 Delta Force Cadet Squadron.

We also prepare to welcome our new commander, Capt Jacob Baugh. A long time CAP member, Capt Baugh will undoubtedly take the squadron to new heights!

The unit continues to grow, with several youth guests each week, and one of them planning on joining as soon as she is able. Meetings are held at the Fort Greely Chapel on Tuesday evenings.

By: Maj. Lorenzana

C-SrA AJ Gaston and C-Amn Bella Cargel Solar Eclipse

First Orientation Flight

My first orientation ride was in June. For those of you who don’t know what an orientation flight is, here is what it is. Orientation flight or an “O-ride” is where you get to experience what a normal pilot does in an airplane: how to fly it, what levers to pull, and what buttons to push, but only members of CAP with a Private Pilot Certificate can fly and teach you how to fly the airplane. And you will actually get to fly the plane yourself! When I had my first experience with flying an airplane, I thought we would just be up in the air and fly around which is what you do, but there are some steps first to get up in the air.

Step 1: With your instructor, you will go around the aircraft, checking for any indents, scrapes, and any other damage to the plane, so that when you do get up in the air, it doesn’t cause a disturbance or any failure when flying. Next, you will go around checking lights, gas, and other devices that you will learn about.

Step 2: You will get into the aircraft and before starting it, you and your instructor will go over what you just went over (checking lights, gas, damage to the plane, etc.)

Step 3: Now, inside the aircraft, you will turn the fuel pump on, and open the throttle to let the fuel into the engine. Now you’re ready for your orientation flight! Remember to have fun and stay safe.

Semper Vigilans, Always Vigilant!

by C/SrA Aurora McAtee

Kenai Cadets Squadron

By: Major Jan Bobek

Every Monday 6:30 to 8:30 Kenai Cadets make Aerospace, Leadership, Safety and Character Development Presentations. Cadets learn how to lead and transform new cadets into caring, capable, responsible human beings. It is amazing to watch how they all progress. It is wonderful for the adults to be part of this process. C/SSgt Zion Henderson presented “Safety on Icy Roads” after a Health Fitness Zone session. It was an excellent topic with the onset of winter weather. Cadets discussed appropriate speeds, driving on icy roads, stopping techniques on ice and vision impartment at night. Every cadet contributed to the lively discussion. Cadet Henderson had a mission and he succeeded.

Cong Tulations

Cadets worked very hard and passed many achievements.

Curry award:

Titus Potvin

Grace Potvin

Aiden Quinlan

Achievement 2:

Jon Broussard

Zanealexander Sanchez

Laif Rothenberger

Achievement 3:

Gianna Traugott

Eliran Weisser

Wright Brothers

Noah Cole

Fletcher Darr

Clayton Greenwald

Zion Henderson

Hugh Traugott

Billy Mitchell

Lydia Schwartz

We are very proud of their efforts and hard work and diligence. We had a special celebration for all the cadets who promoted. A special award came from National for C/Captain Wyatt Cole. He earned the Amelia Earhart award.