The Mountain Flyer

A publication composed of activities in the West Virginia Wing

July-September 2009
Col Rodney Moore - Wing Commander Major Jeffery Schrock - Wing Public Affairs Officer/Editor

Cadets Gathering at Camp Dawson for Encampment

By Major Jeffery Schrock Wing Public Affairs Officer

Wing Headquarters - The West Virginia Wing will be conducting its 2009 Cadet Summer Encampment from July 11 - 18, at Camp Dawson, W.Va. Camp Dawson is located near Kingwood, W.Va., and is the training base for the West Virginia National Guard and Army Special Forces. The base provides lots of interesting activities and tours for the participants. Organizers are in the process of setting up the schedule of activities for the encampment and, if all goes well, a new rappelling tower will be to conquer, along with a new leadership development course, and the firing range on the schedule this year. This is addition to the land and water survival courses, the climbing wall, confidence course, and other outstanding training activities that are normally

conducted. The encampment will end with a pass and review and graduation ceremony. The following cadet staff appointments have been made for the 2009 Summer Encampment: C/Col David Hill - Cadet Commander; C/Major David Terrris Deputy Commander; C/Capt Chris Frey - Executive Officer; C/1Lt Nick Malone - 1st Squadron Commander; C/1Lt Adam Goswick - 2nd Squadron Commander; C/1Lt Lincoln Sklar - 3rd Squadron Commander; C/CMSgt Ryan Thomas - 1st Sergeant; C/2Lt Alancea Grant - "A" Flight Commander; C/CMSgt Suveer Shekhawat Assistant Flight Commander; C/2Lt R. Joel Lyons - "B" Flight Commander; C/CMSgt Alex Gray - Assistant Flight Commander; C/2Lt Blaise Loughman - "C" Flight Commander; C/CMSgt Joel Graham - Assistant Flight Commander; C/2Lt Brian Kruchkow - "D" Flight Commander; C/2Lt Andrew Mitchell - Assistant Flight Commander; C/1Lt Colin Winkie - "E" Flight Commander; C/2Lt James Stepp Assistant Flight Commander; C/2Lt Jonah Rock - "F" Flight Commander; C/2Lt Travis Johnson - Assistant Flight Commander; All Flight Sergeant appointments will be named upon arrival at the encampment.

Wing receives outstanding rating during graded exercise

Clarksburg, W.Va. - Once again, the West Virginia Wing has received an "Outstanding Rating" for action during an Air Force Graded Search and Rescue Evaluation. According to Incident Commander, Lt Col Eugene Thorn, this outstanding rating is the second one in a row, and that is something that has never happened in West Virginia and probably not often in all of CAP. "The staff, and ALL the ground and air crews that participated today should give themselves a pat on the back." said Thorn." Those participating including 19 cadets, 50 seniors, 7 from USAF, and 1 member of the press. The units included: Wing HQ, Charleston Cadet Squadron, Martinsburg Composite Squadron, Boone Composite Squadron, Clarksburg Composite Squadron, Parkersburg Composite Squadron, Morgantown Composite Squadron, Mercer County Composite Squadron, Beckley Composite Squadron Mid Valley Composite Squadron, and Potomac Highlands Composite Squadron.

Beckley Squadron visits Green Bank Radio Observatory

By 1st Lt George Stepp Beckley Squadron PAO

Greenbank- W.Va. - Beckley Composite Squadron members recently took a tour of the Green Bank National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) in Green Bank, West Virginia. The Green Bank Observatory is home to the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope, the largest fully steerable dish in the world. The collecting area of the dish is 2.3 acres (7854 square meters). Scientists from around the world use the Green Bank Telescope to study virtually all types of astronomical objects known, from planets and comets in our own solar system to quasars and galaxies billions of light years away. Members of the Beckley Composite Squadron that attended the tour were Maj James Childress (Deputy Commander of Cadets), Capt Thomas Plass, Lt Jean Plass, 1st Lt George Stepp, C/2ndLt Ryan Stepp, C/SrAmn Michael Kelley, C/Amn Vanessa Duvigneaud, C/Amn Samantha Maiolo, and C/AB Hannah Barker.

C/SrAmn Michael Kelley, C/Amn Vanessa Duvigenaud, C/2ndLt Ryan Stepp and Maj James Childress with the Green Bank Telescope in the background. C/AB Hannah Barker, C/SrAmn Michael Kelley, C/Amn Samantha Maiolo and C/2nd Lt Ryan Stepp observe the galaxies on the screen of the Green Bank Telescope model display. C/SrAmn Michael Kelley and C/2nd Lt Ryan Stepp work together on an Ion puzzle display. C/Amn Vanessa Duvigenaud tries the Wavemaker model in the exhibit room.

Wheeling Composite Squadron participates in Memorial Day Celebration

Wheeling Composite Squadron Cadet Honor Guard is seen here during the Follansbee Memorial Day Parade. Shown are Lt Lynn Byers, Senior Officer Tonetta Wheeler and Senior Officer Jeff Wheeler in the CAP Van. Cadets Emily Boyd, Joel Graham, Patrick Graham, and Jimmy Breitling.

Martinsburg Composite Squadron provides color guard detail

The squadron's color guard traveled to Cacapon State Park, near Berkeley Springs, W.Va, where they posted/retired the colors for the regional convention of the National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees. Following the Posting of the Colors, a lengthy description about the Civil Air Patrol was read, including the names of color guards members: C/2Lt Jonah Rock, C/TSgt John Dye,C/2Lt Joel Lyons and C/SrA Caleb Sullivan. Color Guard members were also treated to a buffet lunch. Following the retiring of the colors, the Color Guard received a Certificate of Appreciation and a $50 donation. Congratulations to our color guard members on another job well done! Also, Thanks to Maj. Dan Duckwall and the NARFE members.

Martinsburg CAP members expand horizons through International Air Cadet Exchange Program

By Capt Russell Voelker Martinsburg Squadron PAO

Martinsburg, W.Va. - Cadet Lt Col Mark R. Guiney and Lt Col Robert V. Mills have been selected, by the Civil Air Patrol , to participate in the International Air Cadet Exchange Program (IACE). Cadet Guiney will be traveling to The Netherlands while, Lt Col Mills will be escorting a group of cadets going to Canada, during the period of July 18th through August 5th. The International Air Cadet Exchange Program gives about 70 CAP cadets and 16 adult escorts an opportunity to serve as ambassadors by visiting participating foreign countries and promoting international friendship and understanding, through a common focus on aviation. CAP members are selected to visit one of the following countries: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Turkey or the United Kingdom. CAP members also host foreign teens visiting the U.S., who participate in aviation-related events alongside them. In addition to the countries above, cadets from Israel and Ghana will participate in the U.S. phase of IACE. IACE is conducted by the International Air Cadet Exchange Association, a league of 19 air cadet organizations. CAP has sponsored cadet participation in the program since 1948. The activity is one of about 30 National Cadet Special Activities being sponsored by CAP across the nation this summer. These activities allow cadets to hone their skills in a variety of areas, including search and rescue, flight and emergency services, science, leadership fundamentals, citizenship and military courtesies, and to explore aerospace technology and aviation careers. In 2008, more than 1,200 youth participated in 31 CAP-sponsored summer activities. Through its cadet program, CAP builds strong citizens for the future by providing leadership training, technical education, scholarships and career education to young men and women, ages 12 to 20. Guiney, a cadet since 2003, has earned numerous awards and commendations through his involvement in CAP, including the General Ira Eaker Award, Commander's Commendation, Unit Citation, Air Force Association Outstanding Cadet Award, VFW

Outstanding Cadet Award, and the Red Service Ribbon. He served as the Commander of the 2008 cadet encampment, held annual at Camp Dawson, and he was was also selected as the 2008 WV Wing Cadet of the Year. Guiney was recently notified that he will be receiving a $1000 Academic Scholarship from the Civil Air Patrol. He formerly served as the squadron's cadet commander and currently serves as the squadron cadet executive officer. Mark attended the CAP National Cadet Officer's School, at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, in 2007. Cadet Guiney is a graduating senior at Jefferson High School and will be attending West Virginia University in the fall. Lt Col Mills, a 15 year member of the CAP, is the current commander of the Martinsburg Civil Air Patrol Squadron. He has earned the Paul Garber Award, Unit Citation, Commander's Commendation, and the Red Service Ribbon. He holds a Master Rating in Cadet Programs and Senior Rating in Communications. This will be Lt Col Mills' second time serving as an escort in the IACE program, having previously chaperoned cadets visiting France.

West Virginia Wing Headquarters 112 Airport Road Charleston, WV 25311 www.wvwg.cap.gov