CIVIL AIR PATROL GLR-IL-274 UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AUXILIARY FOX VALLEY COMPOSITE SQUADRON WEST CHICAGO,

, ILLINOIS
http://gocivilairpatrol.com MARCH 30, 2012 http://www.foxcap.org

Group 14 Cadets Learn to Fly

On Sunday, March 25, Fox Valley Composite Squadron hosted another Cadet Orientation Flight event this time, extending the invitation to Cadets from all of Group 14 and this was no small operation with a total of 3 aircraft, 8 Senior Members and more than 12 Cadets checking-in for a flight experience of a lifetime. For many Cadets, this was their first flight in a small aircraft and for others it was a chance to further advance their flight experience and aerospace education in aviation safety, preflight, normal flight operations and weather. All cadets stated it was a grand experience. Elgin Composite Squadrons Deputy Commander of Cadets, 2d Lt Dawn Walden, stated: I enjoyed hearing the excitement in their voices and seeing the smiles on their faces as they recounted the stories of their flight time.

UNIFORM-OF-THE-DAY (3/30): The UOD for Fridays meeting is: Blues Alternate uniforms choices: Blues, Flight Suits (Seniors), Polo Shirt/Grey Slacks (Seniors) Uniform Regulations: http://tinyurl.com/fvcsuod UPCOMING EVENTS: 3/30 4/06 SQUADRON MEETING 7PM UOD: Blues SQUADRON MEETING 7PM Near Space Balloon Project Planning UOD: BDUs >>> NO SQUADRON MEETING <<< Squadron Staff Meeting 7PM Spring Encampment SQUADRON MEETING 7PM UOD: TBD GLR Cadet Competition Spring Encampment SQUADRON MEETING 7PM
See more Squadron Events online at: http://tinyurl.com/fvcscalendar See more Illinois Wing Events online at: http://tinyurl.com/ilcapcal

4/13 4/204/22 4/20 4/274/29 4/274/29 4/27

CADET FRIDAY NIGHT MEETINGS: 1st Friday Testing 2nd Friday Aerospace Education, PT Testing 3rd Friday Moral Leadership, Review Boards 4th Friday Review Boards/Promotions 5th Friday TBD SENIOR FRIDAY NIGHT MEETINGS: 1st Friday Aircrew Safety / Wing cleaning 2nd Friday Professional Development Training 3rd Friday Emergency Services Training 4th Friday Commanders Choice (suggestions will be considered) 5th Friday Commanders Choice (suggestions will be considered)

A very special thank you to the following Senior Members who volunteered their precious time over the weekend to help make the event happen:
2Lt. Don Johnson Flight Release Officer Capt Rod Rakic Orientation Pilot Lt Andy Vlack Transport Pilot SM Chaitanya Joshi -- Assistant 2d Lt. Gary Brown Orientation Pilot Maj Cliff Tamplin -- Orientation Pilot 1Lt David Michalek -- Assistant SM Michael Cittadino - Photographer

Fox Valley Composite Squadron is already making efforts to schedule additional Orientation Flights during the month of April. Stay tuned to this Newsletter and Email for registration details. For questions or comments about Cadet Orientation Flights, please email 2d Lt Gary Brown at gary@thebrownhouse.org

Fox Valley Composite Squadron Newsletter

Page 1

ONLINE RESOURCES:
Fox Valley Composite Squadron Website: http://www.foxcap.org Fox Valley Composite Squadron Facebook Page: http://tinyurl.com/fvcsfacebook Group 14 Website: http://ilgroup14.wikidot.com IL Wing Website: http://www.ilcap.org Region Website: http://glr.cap.gov National Website: http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com Air Force Air University: http://www.au.af.mil/au/

Help Needed at Carsons Community Days Saturday, March 31

Carson Pirie Scotts Community Days is one of our Squadrons most successful fundraisers helping pay for many of our activities/events/items like the Near Space Balloon Project, Training, Brochures, etc. and we will have a presence there on Saturday, March 31. We need Seniors and Cadets to help staff the entrances at the store to help sell the coupon books. If you are available, please contact Capt Bob Gerber at (847) 778-1867 as soon as possible.

Mark Your Calendars: May 12th Training Mission Announced

Fox Valley Composite Squadron has announced intentions to host a Training Mission on Saturday, May 12, 2012. This will be an opportunity for new members both Cadets and Seniors -to acquire new Operations Qualifications and for all others to renew theirs. We have needs for Ground Teams, Aircrews, Logistics, Finance, Public Affairs, Incident Command, Communications, Logistics, and more. This is an all hands on deck call for training! All Squadron Members Cadets and Seniors alike are encouraged to participate. You may now register for the Training Mission online at (even if you dont have qualifications yet; please just list your interests on the registration form)

http://tinyurl.com/fvcs2012training
Towards that goal of getting member ready for the mission, were considering hosting several training sessions including Mission Scanner, Flight Line Marshalling, and potentially others if you are interested in any training, please send email to Maj Larry Hebda at ljhebda@aol.com

Need a uniform, accessory or CAP logo merchandise? Use this coupon for 10% off your next purchase at http://www.vanguardmil.com

Near Space Balloon Project Planning Session at Next Meeting Next Friday April 6
At the next Squadron Meeting -- Friday, April 6 -- well be taking some time, for interested Cadets and Seniors, to plan the FVCS Near Space Balloon Project. This project will be a great Aerospace Education experience for all and a potentially huge marketing opportunity for the Squadron. Please come prepared with some of your ideas for the project and, most importantly, well be taking name of those individuals interested in taking ownership of particular areas of the project. If youre interested in this project, please email 2d Lt Gary Brown at gary@thebrownhouse.org with your interests and/or questions. Otherwise, we hope to see you at the planning session on Friday.

Fox Valley Composite Squadron Newsletter

Page 2

CAP Featured on Air Force Television

03/23/2012 - The Civil Air Patrol is often seen as a youth organization, but most dont know CAP serves a vital role for the Air Forces domestic noncombat missions. They serve three main duties: Emergency services, aerospace education and training future leaders. CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

http://www.af.mil/news/video/index.asp?cid=3&sid=26248

FVCS Professional Development Achievements

Congratulatiosn to SM Richard Roberts who has been awarded his Membership Ribbon for completion of Level 1 training. Welcome aboard Rich! Additional congratulations are due for Senior Members 1Lt Rebbecca Tulloch and 1Lt Don Johnson who have completed their Senior Level 2 training and have received the cherished Davis Award. The Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. Award recognizes those members who have dedicated themselves to leadership and personal development in the CAP. This award was first given in 2006 and honors the late General Benjamin Davis. A pioneering military officer who was the leader of the fabled Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, and the first African American to become a General in the Air Force.

The COM Stack Group, Wing, Region & National Communications

Upon recommendation of the selection board I am pleased to announce that Major Dave Picek has been named the new Group 14 Commander. An email will be forthcoming concerning the change of command time and date. RICKEY OETH, Col, CAP Illinois Wing Commander Civil Air Patrol

Thanks to all Cadet Competition participants, alternates, judges and support people. It was a total team effort. I attended much of the competition and was very expressed. Four teams competed: Woodfield Springfield A Springfield B Scott Overall 1st - Springfield A with 12 points 2nd - Woodfield with 13 points 3rd - Scott with 19 points 4th - Springfield B with 26 points. Written Test1st Springfield A 2nd Woodfield Mile Run1st Woodfield 2nd Scott Fleet Foot AwardsFastest Male - C/A1C Jesse Baxter from Scott Fastest Female- C/Amn Julissa Einbinder from Woodfield Panel QuizIndoor Presentation1st Woodfield 2nd Springfield A In Rank Inspection1st Woodfield 2nd Springfield A Standard Drill1st Springfield A 2nd Woodfield Teams: Woodfield: C/MSgt Matt Breen C/TSgt Jeff Skelley C/SrA Nicholas Paoletti C/Amn Lucas Szpunar 1st Springfield A 2nd Woodfield Outdoor Practical1st Springfield A 2nd Scott

Fox Valley Composite Squadron Newsletter

Page 3

C/Amn Julissa Einbinder Springfield A: C/SSgt Matthew Donelan C/SSgt Klarissa Jones C/SSgt Clint DeRoze C/SSgt Colin Creighton

C/Amn Madison Hertz C/A1C Alexander Dean C/Amn Zachary VanMeter Scott: C/A1C Sarah Westley C/A1C Eli Palm C/SMSgt Andrew Mitchell C/A1C Jesse Baxter

Springfield B: C/SSSgt Shane Hamman Competition photos can be viewed/downloaded from the Wing Photobucket site: http://s1084.photobucket.com/profile/IllinoisWing Hope to see more teams compete next year. Lt Col Rick Gale Acting Commander, Illinois Wing rgale1@aol.com

Fox Valley Composite Squadron Newsletter

Page 4

There have been discussions and questions surrounding what is deemed "acceptable" as proof of attendance at conferences for the purpose of fulfilling the Level III award requirement since not all Wings provide a "Participation Letter." This email will serve as clarification as to what is acceptable documentation to comply with the requirements set forth in the CAPR 50-17. Please note: This only applies as long as you are a member of Illinois Wing as each Wing will have their own guidelines. Here is the list of acceptable documentation - in order of preference: 1) A document from the host event showing participation (Participation Letter, copy/picture of attendance list, Certificate of attendance/completion, etc.). 2) Receipts for registration fees, hotels, gas, or meals that shows you were in the city at the date/location of the event along with a letter from you stating that you were present at the event. 3) If the above two accommodations cannot be met: a letter from a member who was in attendance at the same event who is willing to put into writing their personal confirmation of your attendance at the event. If you attended the ILWG conference in 2006 or 2011, the attendance list is on file with ILWG and no further documentation is necessary. If you attended the GLR conference held in IL in 2008, that attendance list is also on file with ILWG. We are confident that our members hold high standards for personal integrity and that this clarification will help in preparing your application for the Level III Award. For the Commander, Barbara T Buckner, Captain, CAP Illinois Wing Civil Air Patrol Director of Professional Development Cell (312) 296-6556 Email: bbuckner@ilwg.cap.gov

Now posted on the Wing website under "Professional Development" are the Conference Participation Letters pertaining to: 2006 ILWG Conference 2008 GLR Conference 2011 ILWG Conference

http://ilcap.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=141&Itemid=573 Barbara T Buckner, Captain, CAP Illinois Wing Civil Air Patrol Director of Professional Development Cell (312) 296-6556 Email: bbuckner@ilwg.cap.gov

Cadets, I know it's a bit early in the year to start pushing this activity, but why wait until the last minute? Have any of you ever thought about participating in politics? Have you ever thought about running for elected office? The Civics Leadership Academy would be a great place to start. Information from the NHQ web site. http://ncsas.com/index.cfm/civic_leadership_academy?show=career_fair&careerFairID=23 From the CAP Knowledge Base: http://capnhq.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1092/kw/civic%20leadership%20academy Article in the Volunteer: http://www.capvolunteernow.com/todaysfeatures/?24_top_cadets_gearing_up_for_civic_leadership_academy_in_nations_capital&show=news&newsID=12566 PAUL HERTEL, Lt Col, CAP Government Relations Adviser Illinois Wing 618-416-5180

Fox Valley Composite Squadron Newsletter

Page 5

At 12:01am Central on 1 April 2012 we will begin implementation of our new online membership management software. Although some functions will be unavailable during this period, most eServices users wont notice a substantial difference in the way information is presented. We are excited about this system since it will provide many additional benefits for management and analysis of member information as well as streamlining some membership-related financial processes once the system is back online. Here are the benefits you can expect to see from the new system: The new system will be integrated into eServices and will improve the ability to enter and track demographic and contact information. The online event registration module will allow members to register for national events using their eServices login. Senior members will be able to enroll in an auto-renewal program that will automatically charge their credit card for renewal annually. Modules will integrate with the headquarters accounting system and support a dues amortization schedule Contact and member demographic information will provide better reporting capability. The Call Center feature will improve the NHQ Membership staffs customer service to the membership.

We expect the system upgrade to be complete by 5 April 2012 but the conversion will result in some important eServices membershiprelated functions being unavailable while the system is offline. Although eServices will be available for Operations-Qualifications and other applications not related to the Membership System, the following components will function as described: No membership applications or renewals can be processed by any means during while the system is offline during the 1-5 April period. This will directly affect those who allow their membership to expire on 31 March. They will not be able to renew or participate in any CAP activity until the new system comes back online. We will be notifying every CAP member with an e-mail address in the CAP database that they will not be able to renew their membership during the 1-5 April period. Membership Card Payment: Members with expired cards will be unable to get a new card until the system comes back online. CAP Personnel Information: Member contact info will be unavailable. Read-Only membership contact information will be available through WMIRS for those with WMIRS permissions. Membership Retirements/Transfers: No retirements or transfers can be processed during this upgrade window. Cadet and Senior Promotions: No promotions can be processed during this upgrade window. Commanders may hold promotion ceremonies for cadets if necessary but information must be entered into the system once it is back online. Backdates will be permitted at that time. Organizational Contacts: No organizational contact information can be updated during this upgrade window. My Info Review, Edit My Info: Members will not be able to update their personal information such as phone numbers, e-mail addresses, etc during the upgrade window. Online AEM: New AEM members will not be able to join during this upgrade window. Online Patron: New Patron members will not be able to join during this upgrade window. Group Admin: No Group Administration can be processed during this upgrade window. WMIRS will remain up and accessible via e-Services but will be working from membership data that was current on 31 March. Testing applications including Safety, cadet online testing, OPSEC, etc. will be operable. Safety applications containing the CAP Form 78 and 79 will be available. The Duty Assignment application will be not be available during the down period. Member Search and Duty Assignment Reports will reflect data that is current on 1 April.

If your membership is set to expire at the end of March 2012, please make plans to renew your membership prior to the end of the month. Any member who attempts to renew during the down period will not be able to renew until 5 April 2012. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience and understanding. Please let us know if you have questions at mms@capnhq.gov .

What: ILWG Spring Encampment 2012 When: 20-21-22 & 27-28-29 April 2012 Where: Naval Station Great Lakes, RTC Registration Deadline: 07-Apr-2012 Web Page: https://sites.google.com/a/group22.net/encampment/ Attention Cadets wishing to attend for basic encampment!!!!! The deadline to get in the hard copy applications to attend the 2012 Illinois Wing Spring Encampment is approaching fast! Please be sure to get these in no later than 7-Apr-12!! This year is promising to be a great one and it is just around the corner!!! We have a great Cadet staff and some new activities planned so don't miss out....get those applications in ASAP. In order to register please visit the website by clicking on the above link and following the application procedures for "Basic Cadets" You will be instructed to fill out a quick on-line pre-application form to let us know to expect your application. After doing that you will download the application form, fill it out and send it in along with your check....it is that simple! You then get together your equipment (list is on-line) and meet us at the base for weekend one on Friday April 20!! Again, this year is promising to be a good one so don't miss out. Brian Pokuta Maj, CAP Commander, Illinois Wing Spring Encampment email: bpokuta@group22.net Fox Valley Composite Squadron Newsletter Page 6

Congratulations to all who participated in the Biennial Evaluated SAREX this last weekend. Overall score - Excellent Individual scores: Incident Commander - Excellent Safety Officer - Successful Public Information Officer - Marginal Operations Section Chief - Excellent Air Operations Branch Director - Excellent Aircrews - Excellent Ground Branch Director - Outstanding Ground Teams - Excellent Planning Section Chief - Successful Logistics Section Chief - Outstanding Communications Unit Leader - Outstanding Finance Admin Section Chief - Excellent Information Technology - Outstanding Critical Incident Stress Management - Excellent SDIS - Not Graded GIIEP - Outstanding (unofficial)

Over 120 members participated, most centered at ILWG/HQ with a few teams working remotely on taskings which happened to be in their home area. In a first for ILWG, some sorties and taskings were completed by sundown on Friday evening, and by first light on Saturday, we had multiple aircraft on station, as well as 5+ ground teams already working or enroute. The evaluators even threw some curve balls, including closed highways, TFR's, a "power outage", loss of all communications in the ICP, and even a simulated medical condition. All were handled expediently and with amazing team work, resulting in no loss of situational awareness or mission degradation. The activity was the culmination of 6-months to a year of directed training and full-run effort by members all over the wing, bringing together a combination of new technology and ideas with tried-and-true methods of teamwork and initiative. Everyone involved brought their "A-Game", and played hard all the way to the end. The successes and challenges will inform our training strategy for the rest of fiscal 2012, and be the cornerstone of our plans for 2013. Congratulations and thank you to all who participated. RICKEY OETH, Col, CAP Illinois Wing Commander Civil Air Patrol

I am very pleased to announce the 2011 Illinois Wing of the Year Awards: Maj James Griggs, Illinois Wing PAO of the Year 1st Lt Rebecca Tulloch, Illinois Wing AEO of the Year C/Capt Keenan Wresch, Illinois Wing Cadet of the Year C/Capt Khaled Basrawi, Illinois Wing Cadet Commander of the Year Cadet 2d Lt James Elvin, Illinois Wing Cadet NCO of the Year Palwaukee Composite Squadron, Illinois Wing Ground Team of the Year Capt Deborah Bolden, Illinois Wing Cadet Programs Officer of the Year Capt Ron Walerowicz, Illinois Wing Communicator of the Year 1st Lt Edward Danley, Illinois Wing Senior of the Year Maj Michael Marshall, Illinois Wing Chaplain of the Year Capt Mary Jo Connor, Illinois Wing Character Development Instructor of the Year Lake in the Hills Composite Squadron, Illinois Wing Squadron of Merit It should be noted that Lt Col Fred Herschelman (George Texido Legislative Officer of the Year Award) and Major Susan Wynard (Brewer Award) were nominated by Illinois Wing and sent to Great Lakes Region in their respective award categories.

Congratulations to these hard working Illinois Wing members who exemplify CAP's core values with their service. RICKEY OETH, Col, CAP Illinois Wing Commander Civil Air Patrol Fox Valley Composite Squadron Newsletter Page 7