A Message from the Chaplain

Dear Arizona Wing,

In case you were not aware, Art Rogers, Payson Operations Officer, provided this information:

Jim Cambier died last Tuesday, 20 July.  Services will be held in Payson this Friday as listed below.

Jim was a long time member of the Payson 209 CAP squadron.  At one time or another he was the deputy for cadets, communications officer, transportation officer, squadron commander, and others.  His real joy was working with the cadets.  He was also an expert on CAP communications issues.  He had retired after a long career with the FAA ground avionics maintenance team. 

When I was planning a move to Payson in 1999, Jim was one of the first persons I met.  Since I was a ham radio operator I went to a local club meeting.  Jim was the President of the ham club at the time.  I was also a member of the USAF reserve CAP-USAF organization.  I researched the local CAP unit and discovered the squadron commander was also Jim.  We became good friends.

I am forwarding information on the Friday service.  If anyone flies into Payson I will arrange transportation for them.

Art Rogers

Payson Operations Officer

The MEMORIAL service is this Friday, July 30th at 11:00am at St. Paul's Episcopal church on the corner of Sherwood and Easy Street.   There is a celebration and reception after the service at their home in East Verde Park.

The ERAU Tour Was an Outstanding Success!!

By: Lt Col A. Peter Feltz
Director of Aerospace Education, Arizona Wing

A few of the staff arrived on Tuesday to ice down water, some other drinks and snacks. We had a nice dinner at the Gurley Grill in downtown Prescott and went to a motel or home to rest up.

Wednesday the staff arrived about 0930 to set everything up for the registration. We had a total of 112 members show up which included about 20 senior members and 92 cadets. They came from 19 units throughout the state. About 65 set up camp across the road from the registration area and the rest prepared to stay in the Eagle Gym close by.

The cadets were broken up into "A" and "B" groups. Half were taken to the Prescott airfield to enjoy operating simulators and examine the aircraft and other functions. The other group stay at the campus and were escorted to many of the facilities such as the crash site wind tunnel and many others. After the tours were over we were treated to an excellent dinner in the dinning hall. All you can eat and drink. The cadet really took good advantage. Oh to be young again.

After dinner we went to the soccer field and set up for the glider competition. The participation was a little disappointing and very few units participated. It was a little windy and tough to fly the light gliders. The winning glider was well designed and constructed and flew nearly 100 feet in two different tries. See attached photos of the winner. To bad the glider wasn't in the photo. The other photo is the beginning assembly.

On Thursday we had an excellent breakfast in the dinning hall and the two groups swapped tour areas and returned at the assembly hall for a pizza lunch and presentations from an Army recruiter and an Air Force recruiter. After quite a few questions the assemble was dismissed and preparations made to depart.

All the comments we received were of a positive nature and many thought it would be a good idea to do it again next year. Look for other photos and articles by SSgt Phillip Kittelson on Facebook and Wingtips.

I wish to thank all the staff and members who took care of the cadets and transported them to the function. I particularly wish to thank my deputy, Maj. Phill Hubacek who spent many hours putting the program together.

Arizona Wing 2010 Sun-God Drill Team

By: Captain Wendy Fields
Drill Team Escort, Frank Luke Jr Cadet Squadron 356

C/Col Matt Bricker started building the 2010 Sun-God drill team, the AZWG drill team, in July by contacting former team members, seeing if there was interest among veteran teammates after not competing in 2009. Not surprisingly, many members jumped at the chance to compete again at the national level. With several members on board, try-outs were held for the remaining positions. All cadets, rookies and veterans, understood the history of the team and what it meant to be a part of its legacy. With a decorated past that started in 2006, when they earned 1st place in the National Cadet Competition, the Sun-God drill team subsequently brought home a 2nd place and another 1st place finish before taking the 2009 season off.

Each year, before competing at the national level, the team has to take first place at the South West Regional Cadet Competition. Color Guard and Drill Teams that took top honors in their respective wings from all six wings within the region are eligible to compete against one another to represent the SWR at NCC. For several members of the Sun-God drill team, this contest was their first opportunity to compete. Overall, this year’s performance was outstanding and they were recognized for their hard work. The team was heading to nationals once again.

Even after their decisive win at region, the team knew that nationals would offer more a challenging competition. The best drill teams in the nation would be there, all vying for the coveted USAF Chief of Staff Sweepstakes Award Trophy. Saturday practices became mandatory, as were overnights once per month. They called on outside resources to assist with specific training. They created multiple study guides for each Aerospace module and Leadership chapter. They fundraised to ensure the team was self sustaining. They displayed the dedication and desire few teenagers embrace, but did it as a team. Not wanting to let down their companions, they studied numerous pages, ran countless miles, and drilled for endless hours. Taking minutes off of their personal mile times, many ran several miles per day to shave just a few more seconds and achieve their personal best times. They were ready. They knew every command, and could execute it with perfection in perfect unison with those standing around them.

As the cliché goes, though they worked hard, they played just as hard. From lunches at Chino Banditos to midnight snack at the chow hall, comradery grew among the members and so did the trust. New stories of a befuddled chef and jokes of “Sierra Charlie” were added to tales that had been passed along by the veterans, allowing the team to take a mental break from the stresses of competition. The team continued to grow stronger with each practice.

Performing at their peak during Nationals, they were asked to give a special encore performance for General Price of the Pentagon to illustrate their Innovative Drill routine, a routine commanded in silence, with each separate movement of the five minute routine memorized by all 13 individuals. Watched by all competing at NCC, the Sun-God drill team completed their drill with pride. With their third place finish across the nation, all members of the Sun-God drill team: c/Col Matt Bricker, c/LtCol Brian Simpson, c/Maj Lindsay Davis, c/Maj Laura Beck, c/Maj Corey Fields, c/Capt Renner Mead, c/1LT Cliff Branch, c/1LT Anthony Petonic, c/ 2LT Justina Wilkison, c/CMSgt Steve Cesare, c/CMSgt John Pravongviengkham, c/CMSgt Joseph Pravongviengkham, and c/CMSgt Adam Spanier, could hold their heads high with integrity, knowing they are among the best in the nation.

With the conclusion of the 2010 National Cadet Competition, the AZWG drill team has already started preparations for 2011. Schedules are being planned for try-out, practices, and fundraising. Knowing there are several open positions to fill, the team will hold try-outs in late August. Announcements will be made via wing e-mail. If you would like to be a part of this honored tradition of the AZ Wing, come to try-outs. All dedicated CAP cadets are welcome to participate.

Group II Commander Recognized by CAP National Commander

Group II Commander, Major William Lynam, was recognized recently by Major General Amy S. Courter, Civil Air Patrol National Commander, for his contribution to the online Officer Basic Course.

Officer Basic Course replaced AFIADL 13, the first course normally completed by new CAP Officers and NCOs, offered by the Air Forces Air University.

“It was an interesting challenge,” says Major Lynam, who authored the Vision and Mission statements of the course, “including researching the subject area, generating test questions and working with my liaison, Col Gilbert from the Northeast Region.”

Senior members may register for Officer Basic Course after completing Level 1. Cadets may also take the course, after completion of their Mitchell award. The course, geared towards new Senior Members, covers the Personal, Professional and Organizational dimensions of leadership.

In a letter to Major Leynam, General Courter talks about the importance of the new course. “For Civil Air Patrol to truly meet its potential, our members--especially our senior member officers and noncommissioned officers--must be trained and educated to meet today's and tomorrow's challenges.”

The letter from General Courter can be read here.

2010 AZ WING CONFERENCE KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Former Air Force One PIlot COL. MARK TILLMAN, USAF (RET.) to Speak AT 2010 AZ Wing Conference

Former Air Force One Pilot Col. Mark Tillman, USAF(Ret.) will be presenting the Keynote Speech at this years Arizona Wing Conference. Col Tillman served as Chief Pilot of Airforce One and was at the controls for over 49 trips to 75 foreign countries.

As Arizona Wing Civil Air Patrol Members, you have the once in a lifetime opportunity to hear firsthand the experiences of the pilot, who among his many accomplishments, was in command of the Presidential Missions of Air Force one on September 11, 2001.

The Arizona Wing Command Staff is proud to extend this opportunity to you. The video link below conveys the accomplishments of Col Tillman more effectively than words alone. Watch this and you will see why this is an event not to be missed.

Early Registration Pricing has been extended to July 9th to allow all of our members the chance to attend. Wing Conference will be held July 30-31. The Awards Banquet will begin at 7pm on July 31. A link to more details and registration forms is posted below the video.

For Registration, visit the link below. Click on Registration at the top of the page to download a registration form for the 2010 Conference.

http://arizonawing.com/conference/

Summer Vacation?

By: Maj Marilee Taylor
Director of Cadet Programs, Arizona Wing

Ahhhhhh! Summer at last! School is out now it is time for relaxation. Sleeping in, going to the movies, sleep over with friends, trips, swimming, barbeques – time to be lazy.

All the above may be true, unless you were one of the 124 Cadets and 17 Senior
Members of Arizona Wing who recently attended the 2010 Encampment. Ask any one of the 94 cadets who arrived on June 12 what their first thoughts were. For some, it might have been turn around and head back home!

Roaming the grounds of the Evergreen Aviation Facility in Marana, AZ were the 30 cadet staff members who had already been there for two days getting prepared for the basics to arrive. Well, not all were roaming. Some were standing outside hollering for cadets to “get moving” and “get off my grass”! Inside other cadet staff members were checking cadets in and assigning flights. Our Medical Officer took a medical history from each cadet. Meanwhile, some of the Senior Members were outside reassuring parents that they would indeed see their cadets again, after graduation, and others were inside checking for contraband.


That was just the beginning of seven busy days. It was terribly boring – you know, with classes, PT, drill, inspections, firing weapons, participating in DDR activities and games, taking a tour of the Predator site, aircraft “Bone Yard”, and Pima Air Museum. Oh, and we don’t want to forget the CCC (CPR) training and water safety or the tour of the Evergreen Maintenance Facility. Stressful at times? Yes. Boring? Not in the least. So, ask the same cadets who might have been ready to turn around and go home if it was worth staying. I am guessing that you will get a resounding YES!

Putting 94 basic cadets, 30 cadet staff, and 17 senior members together for a week can have its challenges, but all of it is part of the learning and teaching experience. Whether it meant overcoming obstacles to become successful, or developing new leadership skills, everyone came away with an experience they are not likely to forget any time soon.


As the 2010 Arizona Wing Encampment Commander, I congratulate all the cadets who attended encampment as a basic, and thank all the cadet staff and senior members who helped encampment be the success it was. Thank you for the honor of being your Encampment Commander.

Simple Tip for our new ELT Locating Problem

By: Lt Col Charles Bendixen
Emergency Services Officer, Squadron 201

When satellites monitored for 121.5 Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) we bemoaned the fact that their accuracy was no better than about +/- 10 miles in any direction. Now that the 121.5 ELT’s are no longer monitored by satellite, we must depend on the signals being picked up by passing aircraft. If that aircraft is an airliner at 20,000+ feet, it means that the ELT might be anywhere with 50-75 miles. I have a simple hint which may help in locating an ELT under those conditions, but first two examples from my experience.

On 15 Feb 2009 our aircrew from Squadron 201 was tasked with locating an ELT reported by an aircraft over the Tuba City Airport. When no ELT was heard at 11,000 feet over Tuba City, we were then notified that an aircraft near Winslow, Arizona had heard and ELT and CAP Flight 237 was directed to fly to Winslow. Before reaching Winslow, we were directed to fly towards “Northeastern AZ” where another aircraft had heard an ELT. After climbing to 12,500 ft. and heading NE, we eventually picked up an ELT when about 25 miles from Chinle. The active ELT was eventually found in an Air Evac. King Air on the Chinle over 88 miles from the initial ELT report.

My second example occurred on 30 June 2010 when we were notified of an ELT reported over Page, Arizona by an aircraft at 23,000 feet. As we were about 30 miles from PGA I made a call on 122.8 (Unicom) asking if aircraft in the area of PGA would tune in 121.5 and report to me if they heard an ELT. The first response was from and aircraft landing at PGA that none was heard. Shortly thereafter, another response came from an aircraft which was south of Brice Canyon Airport and was hearing a “strong” ELT signal. We were then able to head directly towards Brice Canyon some 85 Nautical Miles (NM) from our current location. Eventually we picked up the ELT and tracked it to the Deer Spring Airport which is a private airport about 20 miles south of Brice Canyon, with a single Cessna 182 sitting on the field, over which our ELT search centered.

I am convinced that by using a simple call on a Unicom frequency, I was able to enlist ELT listening help over a very wide area, which re-directed our search to a localized area. Without this assistance, we would not have located the ELT, which, because of rugged surrounding terrain, could not be heard from more than 15 miles at 10,500 feet.

Moral: A simple call for assistance may help locate an ELT.