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ISSUE OUR

What the Future Holds

2011 Winter Encampment The 2011 Winter Encampment will be held at Tyndall AFB, FL this year. For those cadets that want to

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SQUADRON UPDATE

DEC/JAN 2011/2012

DOTHAN COMPOSITE SQUADRON CIVIL AIR PATROL, USAF AUXILIARY FLYER

I know it has been a while since our last newsletter, but a very motivated, future journalist, Cadet Amber Whitfield took it upon herself to start it up again. I am very proud of the work she has done. Her work is a direct example of how the rest of the squadron is coming along. Each of us is taking it upon ourselves to improve our areas to ensure an Outstanding rating during the upcoming SUI. Although it seemed 2011 went by really fast, we did accomplish a lot as you will see in the page 1 article. I would also like to announce Maj George Owens new position as the Deputy Commander for Seniors and Maj David Jallen as the new Operations Officer. It is imperative that the right people are in the right position for a unit to be successful. I feel the right team has been assembled and that we will have a very successful year in 2012. Already, the year is starting out with an encampment, an instrument course, 2 SAREXs, the Cadet Competition and then a Wing Professional Development Course. In 3rd ID, we had a saying, Dont miss the Marne Express or you will be left behind. Dont let that happen to you. Our in-house training will begin as soon as the new year begins. Majs Jallen and Owen will have the details. We will train in a cycle that will keep us proficient in our Emergency Services qualifications through a crawl-walk-run training program. They have a great plan and I cant wait to start. We have already begun to log the most hours on our airplane in the wing. The addition of 2 new pilots, both cadets, will help us keep the hours up. If we cant recruit them, well make them. There will be a Cessna 182 making an appearance soon. I will provide those details as I get them. See you at the next meeting on January 4th, 2012. I wish each of you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Respectfully, Brett Lewis, Lt Col, CAP Commanding

fulfill this requirement, there will be an encampment beginning on December 27th and ending on January 2nd, 2012 in Florida. If you wish to attend, talk to the Cadet 1SG and go to the website at http://flwg.us/cp/winterencampment.aspx . Encampment is needed for the Mitchell Award.
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Wing Emergency Services School (WESS) The next iteration of the Wing Emergency Services School to help cadets and senior members to

CONGRATULATIONS! Cadet Promotions

C/ M Sgt Am ers pek C/ T Sgt I rs ik C/ Am n ON eal

This issue
2011 Summary P.1 Raffle Winner P.2 Its a Cadet Life P.3 What the Future Holds P.4

become Ground Team qualified will be held 20-22 January 2012. Dont worry if you didnt make the first two, you will be able to make it up. Pack your bags and survival gear and join us. An application, packing list and timeline are available online. More info at: www.wess.alwg.us

Instrument Pilot Workshops These free workshops are for those that are interested in attaining their Instrument License or make

themselves a better pilot. ALWG Stan/Eval are offering an Instrument Written Prep Course, Instrument Workshop and an Instrument Mastery Course, depending on your level of experience. These courses will be held in Pell City at Jefferson State Community College from 13-15 January. If you are interested in any of the 3 courses, please e-mail Maj Donnie Todd at dtodd1@earthlink.net .

Senior Member Promotions

SM D av id J allen t o M ajor SM J ohn F unk t o M aj

A LOOK B ACK AT 2011, IT GOES SO FAST!

Since our last newsletter was published about a year ago, we have accomplished a lot. I wanted to summarize the year again so that you had a good idea of how hard we worked. Then a cadet had a great idea; lets bring the newsletter back. Cadet Amber Whitfield, an aspiring journalist decided she wanted to run the newsletter. What a great opportunity for our squadron. Here is a short list of the activities in, which we participated in 2011: Some of the statistics describing our efforts are: FY11 Aircraft Hours Flown: 208.4 Vehicle Miles Driven: over 5000 New members: o 3 Senior Members o 9 Cadet Members Created a new Private Pilot and another Solo Pilot Cadet Orientation Rides o 67% have flown New ES Quals: o 6 Scanners o 3 Observers o 3 Ground Team o 2 Mission Staff Assistants o 1 AOBD o 6 ACUT Earned Professional Development Awards o Level 1: 3 o Level 2: 3 o Level 3: 3 Traditionally, our membership numbers fluctuate. This year is no different with military members transferring and cadets going away to college or the military. Please continue to recruit new members as they are the units future. This year, our membership committee will be making some adjustments to how new members join so that they will have a definite understanding of what they are getting into. I think this will result in longer, more productive memberships. Thank you to everyone that has participated this year to make our squadron stronger and the events more meaningful.

Southern Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) Baldwin County will host the Southern SAREX (airport to be determined) from 10-12 February 2012. It

Senior Member PD Awards

SM Kerry Keel - Lev el I

will start at approximately 8AM and continue until the missions are completed. These missions will be held to help the southern squadrons practice Emergency Services tasks and help members to get the sorties required for qualification. If you want to participate, notify the Dothan Operations Officer, , Maj Jallen.

CAP/FAA Pilot Ratings

C adet Orin Gallow ay - Pilot

Alabama Wing Cadet Competition The 2012 Alabama Wing Cadet Competition will be held at Maxwell AFB on Feb 24 and 25, 2012. This is

the first year our squadron will have a team (possibly two) to represent our squadron. The winner of the wing competition, will represent Alabama at the Regional Competition.

CAP Cadet of the Qtr

C/TSgt Richard Irsik

Cadet Solo Flight

C/TSgt Richard Irsik DCS FLYER ISSUE #5 DECEMBER 2011 / JANUARY 2012

Cadet O Rides
C/A1C Halverson C/Amn Whitfield, A
Dothan Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol, US Air Force Auxiliary 750 Flightline Drive Dothan, AL 36307

Senior Dep Cdr

Maj George Owen

PAO Staff: Lt Col Chuck Fandel C/Amn Amber Whitfield

Squadron Operations Officer

Maj David Jallen

2011 Alabama Wing Conference Two wing funded local SAREXs Fundraiser for iPad2 (Over $1200) Southern SAREX in Mobile Dothan Mission Aircrew School Counterdrug Mission Flying AL Wing Operations Evaluation ICS-300/400 Courses National Checkpilot Standardization Course 2011 AL/MS Wing Encampment Cadet Orientation Rides Enterprise Air Expo Dothan National Night out Wing Emergency Services School (3 New Ground Team Members) Cadet Food World Bagging for fundraising (over $1300) 2011 Ironman Contest 2011 Christmas Banquet 2011 Winter Encampment

There are many more courses not listed here that members attended throughout the year. Our squadrons participation in wing activities is good and hopefully, this year will be exceptional.

Civil Air Patrol

USAF Aux iliary

2011 Dothan Squadron CAP Raffle WWW.GODOTHANCAP.COM Winner

Notes from the Deputy Commander for Cadets

Cadets,
First of all, I want to tell you how happy I am to be able to begin my term as Deputy Commander for Cadets and start working with each and every one of you to help you to attain your CAP as well as any personal goals you may have. I have been involved with the cadet program here at Dothan since 2007 and I cannot wait for the next year, 2012, to get here. Already, we have the 2012 Florida Wing Winter Encampment right around the corner. Immediately afterwards, we will entering into the Alabama Wing Cadet Competition. Our hard work will continue as we attend WESS, become Emergency Services Qualified in Ground Team and possibly Scanner, and go out to the field to practice all of the skills you learned at WESS or in the classroom at the Dothan Headquarters. Although classroom instruction is important, my goal this is to add more outside activities, making it a more hands on innovative program. There is still over $3000 in the Cadet Orientation Ride budget as I write this letter. I want our squadron to use as much of that money on ourselves as possible. The Great Start Program is being implemented starting in January. This program will ensure you will get the best possible foundation to CAP so you will know exactly how to succeed. C/TSgt Irsik is the right cadet for the job as the Green Flight Sergeant, and have no doubt you will get a quality education. Senior cadets, be ready for cadre training soon. I cant wait to get this year started running. Ill see all of you at the Rucker Gym on Monday, 3 January 2012. Semper Vigilans! Capt Lewis Deputy Commander for Cadets

2011 Dothan Squadron CAP Raffle Winner

Congratulations to the winner of the Dothan Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrols 2011 Winter Raffle. On December 3rd, Mr. Mike Mulhern, an Instructor Pilot with the Advanced Division of URS at Fort Rucker, Alabama won the Apple iPad2. Senior members and cadets sold enough raffle tickets to raise over $1200 to provide for unit operating overhead and other programs implemented within the squadron. The hard work of the members in the Dothan Composite Squadron contributes to the quality of the CAP program and the ability of the unit to complete its missions.

UNIFORM TIPS Proper Care

Cadets and seniors alike have the same uniforms. Taking proper care of these uniforms can be tricky and hard to do. Here are some helpful tips to taking proper care of your uniforms. BDUS: Whether a senior member or a cadet, the BDUS are worn with the same pride and requirements. When ironing the BDU top, put something inside the pocket. When you starch your uniform, be sure to iron the uniform first to heat up the material. When ironing the pants, start from the inside out. Make a crease first by folding the material before adding heat. Boots and Dress Shoes: Shining your shoes is an important step to maintaining the respectable look. Simply spread a thin layer of shoe polish or paste polish. Wrap a soft, clean cloth around your index finger. Dip the cloth into a container of water and buff the dry polish in a circular motion until the wax starts to look shiny. Still using the damp rag on your finger, apply a fine layer of polish in a circular motion, and keep on rubbing lightly until a hazy shine develops. Blues: When hanging your blues, hang them on a wooden hanger to prevent a hanger crease. Turn the shirt inside out and lay it lengthwise on the ironing board. Iron the sleeves first by applying two strokes of the iron to each, and then spray a bit of starch on them before applying two more strokes to both. Divide the rear flap of the shirt into thirds and iron the creases. Iron the rest of the blouse around the creases. Flip the shirt over and fold the flap directly in the middle, and then proceed to iron the front of the shirt. Turn the pants inside out and place one leg on the ironing board sideways to create a crease. Iron the front and rear of the material directly above the pant legs by hanging them on the edge of the ironing board. Fold the pants along their crease to hang.

ITS A CADETS LIFE

Inside Look on Color Guard The Dothan Composite Squadron is proud to announce the formation of its first color guard. The color guard will enter its first competition on February 24, 2012. The color guard is composed of Cadet Joshua Amerspek (Color Guard Commander), Cadet Richard Irsik (Squadron Flag Bearer), Cadet Ashley Halverson (Right Guard), Cadet Amber Whitfield (Left Guard), Cadets Steven Simmons and Michael Byrnes (Alternates) and Cadet Shawn Barlow (Physical Training Advisor). As the Dothan Composite Squadron Color Guard Commander, I plan on enforcing a standard of self-discipline, integrity, and team work. With three years of JROTC under my belt, along with the knowledge Ive gained from CAP, I will ensure that we perform at our best of our abilities, Cadet Joshua Amerspek said. The color guard is expected to master leadership qualities, understand honor, demonstrate dedication to the team, and support the community. I feel that the color guard team is a great addition to the CAP program already present here in Dothan. Im learning new marching and leadership skills, Im making new friends, and Im looking forward to competing with other teams in the future, Cadet Ashley Halverson said. The color guard has spent many hours practicing for competition along with fundraising to earn the money for equipment and trips. All cadets have put much effort in helping the new team be a success.

. Cadet with Diabetes Earns Solo Wings

Richard Irsik, a CAP cadet of 15 months, flew solo for the first time on December 11, 2011. As a young adolescent, Cadet Irsik has only dreamed of becoming a pilot, and follow the footsteps of his role model and father, senior member Lt Col Bob Irsik. Cadet Irsik nearly had his dreams swept from under him when he was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at only age eight, and was informed that he could no longer fly. At age 16, the determination of this cadet had only strengthened. He was informed that the FAA allowed diabetics to get their Class 3 medical certificates under strict review of their medical records. In May of 2011, he sent all of his medical records to the national headquarters in Oklahoma City. Three months later, he received a special issuance of a Class 3 medical certificate and began lessons with his dad in the plane he had flown since he was 3 months old. In November, Cadet Irsik finished his cadet orientation ride and began his pilot training with Lt Col Brett Lewis. On December 10th, Cadet Irsik completed his pre-solo test passing with a 100 percent. The next day, December 11, 2011, Cadet Irsik flew the plane for the first time with the right seat vacant. I was really nervous and stared at the hold short line trying to get the courage to take off for the first time alone. Finally, I told tower I was ready for takeoff and he cleared me for takeoff runway 36. I taxied on the runway, with butterflies in my stomach, lined up with the runway, pushed the power full forward and started talking to myself as if Col Lewis was in the right seat with me. The airspeed indicator reached 55, which signifies rotation speed, and I pulled the yoke back. When the wheels left the ground, so did my nerves. After making 3 successful well-done full-stop landings, I taxied off the runway and my nerves were gone. A smile was plastered on my face. I taxied back to flight line, did my shut down of the aircraft, got out, and couldnt stop smiling. I walked inside to a big round of applause, set my stuff down, and Col Lewis cut the back out of my shirt, Cadet Richard Irsik said. Cadet Irsik will receive his solo wings as he stands proud as a diabetic with a dream one step closer to being fulfilled. Cadet Irsiks belief that diabetes is not an obstacle, but only a manageable part of his life, is what keeps him striving to prove that diabetics are not limited in their activities if they are responsible. His dream of becoming a commercial pilot one day may be delayed, for now, but he said he will continue to work and hopefully one day, the FAA will realize that they are not handicapped and that they too can become commercial pilots.

The Chaplains Corner

by Cha pla in (Lt Col) T om M c G one ga l

In a well known TV cartoon show, A Charlie brown Christmas: Charlie searched for the true meaning of Christmas. All of his friends answered about the external things of Christmas; celebrations, trees, presents. My favorite are turkey & dressing, family gatherings, and so on. As a Christian minister, my advice is to pray to the God who Created this world ad all that is good in it. Ask our creator to protect us physically and more importantly: both emotionally and spiritually. May the God that created the heavens and the earth grant each one of us His salvation and that we may worship the one true God in spirit and in truth. Merry Christmas!

CAP Trivia
Q. Who was the first female known for flying solo across the Atlantic Ocean? Be the first to tell your Deputy Commander for Cadets or Seniors to receive a $5 dollar gift card to place of your choice.