ALABAMA WING 
CIVIL AIR PATROL 
 
NEWSLETTER                                             JUNE 2010 
 
Col. Lisa Robinson                                                    Lt. Col. Brad Lynn 
Commander                                                              Vice‐Commander 
 

Contents Alabama Wing CAP Members

eligible for military leave of
Military Leave of Absence absence.
Redstone Cadets 2
New Flying Rates 2 Lt. Col. Joe Saloom, liaison to the
Inspector General 3 Legislative Squadron, has sent a copy of
WESS Training Completed 4 Senate Bill 599 for every one to read. As
PD Weekend 6 volunteers you are now allowed leave from
West Point Appointment 7 your employment for CAP missions, as is
Missing Aircraft or Just ELT 8 the National Guard. This was signed into
AFA Grants 9 state law by Gov. Bob Riley.
Properties of Air 10
OPSEC 11
Gadsden Cadet O-Flights 11 SB599
Redstone has Official Visitor 12 By Senator Bedford
Safety and Ops Visit 13 RFD Veterans and Military Affairs
Dothan Squadron 13 Rd 1 16-APR-09
Boaz Teacher Flights 14
Boaz Cadet Flights 15 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To
Harrison Ford and CAP 15 amend Section 31-2-13, Code of Alabama
Tuscaloosa Squadron 16 1975, to grant a military leave of absence
Extra photos 16 for members of the civilian auxiliary of the
Public Affairs 17 United States Air Force known as the Civil
Air Patrol.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE

OF ALABAMA:

June 2010 Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond 1

Section 1. Section 31-2-13, Code of Section 2. This act shall become effective
Alabama 1975, is amended to read as on the first day of the third month following
follows: its passage and approval by the Governor,
or its otherwise becoming law.
§31-2-13.
"(a) Military leave of absence. - All officers Civil Air Patrol Employment Leave of
and employees of the State of Alabama, or Absence Military Armed Forces Code
of any county, municipality, or other agency Amended
or political subdivision thereof, or officers or
employees of any public or private business
or industry who are active members of the
Alabama National Guard, Naval Militia, the
Alabama State Guard organized in lieu of
Redstone Cadets Participate in
the National Guard, the civilian auxiliary of Flagpole Dedication
the United States Air Force known as the
Civil Air Patrol, or of any other reserve Huntsville, Ala. – Cadets from the
component of the armed forces of the Redstone Composite Squadron recently
United States, shall be entitled to military served as the color guard for a flagpole
leave of absence from their respective civil dedication ceremony at the Westminster
duties and occupations on all days that they Christian Academy (WCA).
are engaged in field or coast defense or
other training or on other service ordered
under the National Defense Act, or of the
federal laws governing the United States
reserves, without loss of pay, time,
efficiency rating, annual vacation, or sick
leave. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no
person granted a leave of absence with pay
shall be paid for more than 168 working
hours per calendar year, and those persons
shall be entitled, in addition thereto, to be
paid for no more than 168 working hours at
any one time while called by the Governor
to duty in the active service of the state. Redstone Composite Squadron Color Guard
This section shall apply to all schools and participating in a flagpole dedication ceremony
institutions of learning supported by state at Westminster Christian Academy in Huntsville,
funds. AL. Color Guard members are Cadets Hayden
Fry, Brian Booth, Jessica French, and
"(b) Credit for active federal service. - Christopher French.
Service in the National Guard or Naval
Militia of Alabama, when called, drafted, or The WCA Brockway Campus has recently
ordered into the service of the United completed a building a new campus;
States, shall be considered as equivalent however, the campus has been without a
service in the Alabama National Guard or flagpole. The family of Randy Allen
Naval Militia for any and all state purposes Thompson, father of student Bradley
regarding privileges, honors, pay, Thompson, donated a flagpole to honor his
allowances, and exemptions provided by memory.
law for members of the National Guard and
Naval Militia of Alabama."

June 2010 Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond 2


Redstone Composite Squadron Color Guard
raises the United States Flag on the new
flagpole at Westminster Christian Academy in
Huntsville, Ala.
WCA Head of School Craig Bouvier and
Bradley Thompson addressed those
attending the ceremony and then unveiled
of a memorial plague at the flagpole. To
conclude the ceremony the Redstone
Composite Squadron Color guard had the
honor of raising the United States Flag on
the new flagpole for the first time. Cadets
participating in the ceremony were C/Capt
Andrew Hall, C/SrA Christopher French,
C/TSgt Jessica French, C/SSgt Hayden Fry,
C/SSgt Brian Booth, and CADET Tairik
Smith-Tweed.
Capt Kim Miller
Redstone Squadron, PAO
 
New Aircraft Flying Rates
Effective June 1, 2010 Aircraft flying rate
are; Cessna 172- $29.00 per hour; Cessna
182- $37.00 per hour.
I receive emails asking if I will accept
scanned 108's. I prefer scanned 108's as
June 2010 Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond
long as you keep in mind that the 108 must
be signed prior to scanning, that receipts
scanned must be readable.
Please send all emails to my home address
not my work. Either send all emails to
fo@alwg or rmdorning@charter.net
Lt. Col. Robert Dorning
ALWG/FO
Inspector General
Mission Statement
The purpose of the Civil Air Patrol
Inspector General System is, in part, to
create an independent and objective system
that:
1. Resolves problems affecting the Civil
Air Patrol mission promptly and objectively.
2. Creates an atmosphere of trust in
which issues can be objectively and fully
resolved without retaliation or the fear of
reprisal.
3. Ensures the existence of responsive
complaint and inspection programs
characterized by objectivity, integrity, and
impartiality.
4. Ensures the concerns of Civil Air
Patrol members and the best interests of
the Civil Air Patrol are addressed through
objective fact-finding.
5. Educates Civil Air Patrol members
and commanders regarding the privileges of
and protection for those contacting an
inspector general.
6. Ensures inspectors general,
inspector general staff members, and
investigating officers are trained to conduct
thorough, unbiased investigations and
inspections based on fair and objective fact-
finding.
The Alabama Wing IG is Lt. Col. Joe
Saloom. He can be contacted at
IG@alwg.us.
3
THE FRAUD WASTE AND ABUSE
HOTLINES ALLOW YOU TO LEAVE
CONFIDENTIAL, PASSWORD
PROTECTED INFORMATION AT THE
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS.
When using the Fraud, Waste and Abuse
Hotline, please leave your name, phone
number and/or e-mail address, and a short
description of the potential FWA situation
which you are concerned about. You will be
contacted within 3 working days.
FWA HOTLINE E-MAIL :
fwa@capnhq.gov
FWA HOTLINE TELEPHONE: (877) 227-
9142 and select option #4
Maj. J. Gary Bishop
ALWG/Assistant IG
 
Alabama Wing Inspector
General Contact Information
Joseph M. Saloom
Lt. Col., Alabama Wing Inspector General
P.O. Box 240452
Montgomery, AL 36124
PH: 334-270-8291
Fax: 334-270-8294
Cell: 334-538-3993  education to complete task
 
WESS
Alabama Wing Completes
Emergency Services Training
The 2009-2010 training cycle of the
Alabama Wing Emergency Services School
(WESS) concluded with a graduation
exercise on 25 April 2010 at Maxwell AFB,
Alabama. The WESS training cycle
consists of six training weekends that begin
in October and end in April. CAP Lt Col
Michael Long, the Activity Director, reported
June 2010 Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond
that this cycle had more students and staff
members than any previous cycle with an
average attendance of over 100 participants
per weekend. Students and staff members
attended WESS from the Alabama,
Mississippi, Georgia, Maryland, and
Massachusetts Wings.
WESS students and staff assembled for training
on air ambulance operations. A local air
ambulance company provided a helicopter and
crew to conduct training for WESS participants.
The WESS program began in 1997 and now
provides the most comprehensive ground
operations training in the Alabama Wing.
The school provides four courses:
• Basic Ground Team Member Course.
The majority of students attend this
course that provides training and
requirements for the Ground Team
Member 3 (GTM-3) rating.
• Advanced Ground Team Member
Course. This course provides advanced
search and rescue training to students
that already hold a Ground Team
Member rating. Completion of this
course will satisfy task requirements for
the Ground Team Member 1 (GTM-1)
rating.
• Ground Team Leader Course. This
course is available to members who
meet the age and training prerequisites
for Ground Team Leader candidates. In
addition to the academics and field work
4
 of this school, Team Leader students
have the opportunity to actually lead
their own ground team throughout the
training cycle. Completion of this course
will satisfy task requirements for the
Ground Team Leader (GTL) rating.
• Incident Commend Staff School (ICSS)
Basic Course. This course is available
for members desiring support staff
training and qualification. The following
Incident Command System (ICS)
courses are covered in detail: ICS 100,
200, 700, and 800. ICSS Basic Course
members can attain various ratings to
include Mission Staff Assistant (MSA) Cadet Sarah Folse (Right), a Cadet Training
and Mission Radio Operator (MRO). Advisor at WESS, provides instruction in
Electronic Direction Finding to a student in the
Basic Ground Team Member Course

A WESS training weekend begins on a

Cadet Kendall Gresham, a student in the
Advanced Ground Team Member Course, is
loaded onto a helicopter prior to a short flight as
part of WESS air ambulance training.
As outlined by the National Emergency
Services Curriculum Project, WESS utilizes
a task based training program that is similar
to that used by the Ground Search and
Rescue School at the National Emergency
Services Academy (NESA). The Ground
and Urban Direction Finding Team Task
Manual is the primary training document
used in the ground team courses. To
graduate from their course, students are
required to pass all knowledge and practical
tasks described in this document that
pertain to the rating that they are
pursuing.
Friday evening and includes a safety
briefing and classroom instruction on
selected search and rescue topics.
Participants sleep in Officer Training School
(OTS) facilities on Friday night. Participants
usually spend Saturday and Sunday in the
field where they practice search and rescue
techniques. Popular field training topics
include Electronic Direction Finding, Land
Navigation, Crash Scene Management,
Litter Carry, Ground-to-Air Signaling, Airfield
Search, and Line Search Techniques.
During this cycle, Basic Ground Team
students also received a Red Cross First
Aid Course and the CAP Basic
Communications User Training (BCUT).
Participants get to bivouac in the field during
many of the training weekends. Students
are released by noon on Sunday to return
home.

June 2010 Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond 5


Students in the Advanced Ground Team
Member Course conduct a map exercise in the
field.
CAP Col. Lisa Robinson, Alabama Wing
Commander, attended the WESS
graduation ceremony and assisted Lt Col
Long in presenting graduates with
certificates and qualification badges. Details
on course graduates include:
• Basic Ground Team Member Course. A
total of 42 CAP members graduated
from this course and earned the GTM-3
rating. The honor graduate was Cadet
Sam Cockrell, South Baldwin County
Cadet Squadron (AL-133).
• Advanced Ground Team Member
Course. A total of 9 CAP members
graduated from this course and earned
the GTM-1 rating. The honor graduate
was Cadet Kendall Gresham, Maxwell
Composite Squadron (AL-032).
• Ground Team Leader Course. Four
CAP members graduated from this
course and earned the GTL rating. The
honor graduate was Lt Eddie Shurbutt,
Pell City Composite Squadron (AL-118).
• ICSS Basic Course. A total of 8 CAP
members graduated from this course.
• CAP 1st Lt Brian Meier was recognized
as the Outstanding Staff Member of the
cycle. Lt Meier traveled from Houston,
TX to attend WESS and provided
excellent operational and logistics
support during each training weekend.
June 2010 Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond
The 2010-2011 WESS training cycle will
begin in October 2010. Details on the
program and application procedures will be
posted at Wing Emergency Services School
website at http://wess.alwg.us.
Lt. Col. John Hall
ALWG/DCP
Professional Development
Weekend
July 24-25, 2010
 
The Professional Development Weekend
(SLS, CLC, UCC) is scheduled for Saturday
and Sunday, July 24-25th, 2010 at the
117th Air National Guard base in
Birmingham. The courses will run from 8 am
until 5 pm on Saturday and 8 am until 12
noon on Sunday.
If you need to attend SLS or CLC, this is the
weekend to get the courses completed. In
addition, there is a UCC being offered for
those in squadron commander or vice-
commander positions or wannabes. Col.
Robinson is encouraging all commanders or
vice-commanders who have not taken the
course to do so at this time.
Registration is open for the weekend on the
Alabama Wing website at
www.alwg.cap.gov. The materials for each
course are available for download on the
site. You can also use CAPknowledgebase
to access the training materials for
download. Please go ahead and download
your materials and place them in a three-
ring binder and bring to the courses.
The preferred hotel for the weekend training
is the:
La Quinta Inn & Suites
Birmingham / Homewood, Alabama
60 State Farm Pkwy.
Homewood, AL 35209
6
Phone 1-205-290-0150
Fax 1-205-290-0850
 
www.lq.com  
AAA Rating: Redstone Cadet Receives
$59.00 per night* West Point Appointment
* only for the specified date range
Please Make your reservations as soon
Huntsville, Ala. – Cadet Senior Airman
as possible. Online or by telephone use
Christopher D. French of the Redstone
the "government rate" and be prepared
Composite Squadron has accepted an
to provide your CAP/USAF Auxiliary ID
appointment to Class of 2014 in the United
card at check-in. This is one of the best
States Military Academy at West Point, NY.
rates we can find in town but cannot
This appointment will provide four years of
guarantee the rates so they may change
fully funded academic and military
as we get closer to the event.
education leading to a bachelor's degree
and a commission as a Second Lieutenant
Lunch will be provided for those in
in the United States Army.
attendance on Saturday for a nominal cost.
Lunch will be from 12 noon until 1 pm at the
Since joining CAP in 2009, Cadet French
ANG base.
has been an active member of the
Redstone Composite Squadron. He served
The preferred uniform is the AF blues. You
as a member of the Color Guard that placed
may also wear the corporate uniform. For
second in the 2010 Alabama Wing Cadet
those without the AF blues/corporate
Color Guard Competition. He is also a
uniform you may wear any other approved
graduate of the Basic Ground Team
CAP uniform. Please be mindful it is going
Member Course offered by the Alabama
to be HOT and dress accordingly. We want
Wing Emergency Services School.
to project a professional image while on
base and in the presence of the ALWG CAP
leadership who will be providing many of the
lectures.

So registration is open via the AL Wing

website and is filling fast with over 41
people already registered to participate. The
hotel is the La Quinta Inn & Suites in
Homewood off I-65 at the Lakeshore Drive
exit. Lunch will be on site on Saturday.
Preferred uniform is AF Blues or Corporate
Uniform. Need anything more? Just contact
me at rkilgore@bellsouth.net. We really
look forward to the opportunity to work with
each of you.
Cadet French is a graduate of The Way
Rick Kilgore, Capt. Home Christian School, Class of 2010, with
Director, Professional Development a class rank of 3 out of 180 students. His
ALWG CAP extracurricular activities include scuba
USAF Auxiliary diving where he holds a NAUI Scuba
(o) 205/824-3635 Certification. He is also a blue belt in
(f) 205/824-3677 TaeKwonDo.
(c) 205/901-6460

June 2010 Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond 7

Cadet French commented that, "While
preparing for West Point over the past year,
I have learned that when facing seemingly
impossible odds, you have to dig deep
inside yourself to find the drive to keep
going. Even if that motivation comes from a
seemingly irrelevant reason, you must seize
it. Never relinquish your hold, especially
when difficulty arises and tries to snatch it
from you. If you can stay the course
through these times then you will find that
your sense of accomplishment is a reward
in and of itself."
Lt. Col. John Hall
ALWG/DCP
 
 
Possible Missing Aircraft
or ELT?
 
AFRCC reported a 406 MHz beacon near
Redstone Air Field at Redstone Arsenal
Alabama. The SARSAT merged the signal
(406) to a field located just under a mile
east of the runway.
Base security reported that an unattended
car was found at the Redstone Flying Club
hanger. They reported that the then
unknown pilot was supposed to be flying to
Ft. Rucker and had not verified his arrival.
A CAP ground team was dispatched to the
Air Field to perform an initial ramp check
and ELT sweep, as well as check the
nearby field. Because the 406 was painting
off the field and because of the uncertainty
of the pilot from the flying club, an aircrew
was dispatched to preflight and hold.
Arriving at the airfield, the ground team
detected a 121.5 MHz beacon apparently
coming from a helicopter in a secured area.
The ground team searched a nearby field
while waiting to gain access to the
helicopter escorted by a Redstone Security
team.
June 2010 Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond
When the ground team examined the ELT in
the helicopter, the serial number of the
beacon matched the ID reported by the
SARSAT. Once the ELT was silenced and
the manager of the Flying Club was able to
confirm that the C-182 from Redstone had
arrived at Ft. Rucker, the aircrew and the
ground team members were released to
return home.
The next SARSAT pass was negative,
confirming the results of the mission.
Lessons learned:
• Some of the Army Helicopters do
now have 406 beacons.
• The SAT location of the 406 beacon
in the metal hanger was
approximately 1 mile off target.
• Even with a 406 beacon, it was after
2 passes (just under an hour in this
case) before we were alerted.
The team was able to locate the target
within 45 minutes of arrival at the field, part
of that time was gaining access. Because
the ELT was a registered 406 beacon, with
the serial number we were able to quickly
confirm that it was the target we were
looking for.
Many thanks to all who participated. The
team consisted of nine personnel with one
ground sortie, and approximately 30 man
hours were involved.
Congratulations to the ground team on the
non-distressed find.
Ground personnel: Lt. Col. John Hall,
C/Capt. Andrew Hall, Lt. Col. Michael
Guthrie, Sr, C/2nd Lt Michael Guthrie Jr.
Air Personnel: Capt. Joe Robbins, 1st Lt.
Phil Haberlen
Mission Staff: Lt. Col Mike Husband, Maj.
David Hester, Capt. Mark Adams.
The Redstone base security was very
helpful.
David Hester, Major, CAP
ALWG/DC
8

AFA Announces Spring 2010
Civil Air Patrol Educator Grants
Arlington, VA – The Air Force Association
(AFA) today announced 21 recipients of the Civil
Air Patrol Educator Grant, an education initiative
funded by AFA and managed by the Civil Air
Patrol Headquarters.
The grants are each $250, and provided to
teachers who are members of either the Air
Force Association or the Civil Air Patrol. The
initiative funds classroom activities or materials
that benefit the entire group of students and
promote knowledge of aerospace power. Grants
are used for field trips to aerospace museums or
Air Force bases, or for books, DVDs or
videotapes on aerospace topics.
“We’re pleased to recognize the efforts of these
teachers,” said S. Sanford Schlitt, AFA’s Vice
Chairman of the Board, Aerospace Education.
“These grants emphasize science, technology,
engineering and mathematics because these
skills are the building blocks of aerospace
development.”
AFA strongly advocates aerospace education
and the development of Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics as the
foundational skills necessary to sustain U.S.
airpower, national security and economic vitality.
Below are the grant recipients:
• Sandy Armstrong, Wiregrass Math
and Science Consortium at Troy
University, Dothan, Alabama
• Joseph E. Dolan, Eleanor Roosevelt
Middle School, Dubuque, Iowa
• Col. James Dowis, Berea High School
SC-20022 AFJROTC, Greenville, South
Carolina
• Pam Fossum, CAS/Westridge
Elementary, Provo, Utah
• Brack W. Gillespie, Ashwaubenon High
School, Green Bay, Wisconsin
• Lynn Griggs and Susanne Tomaschko,
Kenwood Elementary School, Fort
Walton Beach, Florida
June 2010 Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond
• Deborah Hendrix, Bear Exploration
Center, Montgomery, Alabama
• Janie A. Hill, Gardner Science and
Technology Magnet, Hot Springs,
Arkansas
• Rebecca Hill, Maxwell Air Force Base
Elementary School, Maxwell AFB,
Alabama
• Diane Keeton, Washington Elementary,
Clinton, Oklahoma
• Susan LaGrippe, Dundee Middle
School, West Dundee, Illinois
• Terri Lake, Arts Academy at Estrella
Mountain, Tolleson, Arizona
• Deaniella Leach, Lakewood High
School, Lakewood, Washington
• Gwyndolyn Lee-Lomax, Mallory
Elementary School, Hampton, Virginia
• Carrie Murray, Hopewell Elementary
School, West Chester, Ohio
• Kurt Olsan, Sheridan High School,
Sheridan, Indiana
• Debra Popp, Grove Public Schools
Early Childhood Center, Grove,
Oklahoma
• Rebecca Reyer, Sayles School, Baltic,
Connecticut
• Mary Schillereff, Vance Elementary
School, Asheville, North Carolina
• Stephen Szydlo, Ruben Dario Middle
School, Miami, Florida
• Janice Wright, Corley Elementary
School, Boaz, Alabama
For more information on AFA grants and
scholarships, contact: Lynette Cross at
703.247.5800 703.247.5800 ext 4807 or
lcross@afa.org.
####
The AFA is a 501(C)(3), nonprofit organization
promoting public understanding of aerospace
power and the pivotal role it plays in the security
of the nation. AFA has over 200 chapters
nationally and internationally representing
120,000 members. Visit AFA www.AFA.org.
From CAP's VolunteerNow
Thanks to Maj. Gary Bishop for this information
 
 
9
Janice Wright, Corley
Elementary School Boaz
Alabama, Experiments in the
Properties of Air.
Students conducted hands-on experiments
to learn about the properties of air and
learned about the Bernoulli Effect as it
relates to air.

They loved it. It was an exiting, hands-on

Two second grade classes used the All
About Air Classroom Kit to study the
properties of air. Each child received an
airbag to demonstrated the Bernoulli Effect
We went outside to conduct an experiment
using the 50 ft. solar air bag. Students
learned that air takes up space and that
heated air rises. It served as an
introduction to air pressure and the Bernoulli
Principle.
learning experience. It was so easy and
fun, the students didn't realize it was a
lesson.
Information and pictures about Ms. Wright's
project was provided by Lt. Col. Haney,
ALWG/Maintenance Officer. Lt. Col. Haney
is serving as the Interim Superintendent of
the Boaz Schools.
Quoting Superintendent Haney:
"I look forward to continuing our relationship
with CAP and building on our cadet
programs. Our CAP cadet program and the
dual enrollment agreement with Alabama
College of Aviation at Albertville is a good
fit. We expose our students to aviation and
aerospace at an early age and then provide
them with the opportunity to follow their
dream of a career in aviation by completing
the course-work at ACAA through our dual
enrollment program."

June 2010 Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond 10

 "I got to actually fly."
"When can we do more," and the most
Remember OPSEC common comment was "when can I get my
pilot's license?"
A wing held a SAREX last weekend (and I
am not going to ID which wing it was) and
had media up on a flight to do a story about
our missions. So far so good. While the
camera man was shooting he got a good
shot of the aircraft’s radio display and the
frequency that we were operating on at the
time. This shot made it into the report, was
aired and available on the station’s website.

The report was great and the wing received

good publicity but OPSEC was violated in
that the radio frequency was displayed,
taped and broadcast by the TV station.
Left to right: Cadet Hunter Wallace, C/Amn
The current firmware in the aircraft radios Nathan Phillips, C/Amn Joseph Stanley, C/A1C
do not allows us to remove the frequencies Stephen Watkins, C/SrA Jonathan Watkins, and
from being viewed. NHQ is working on Pilot 2d Lt Bob Noone.
correcting the issue but until that fix is in
For several it was their very first time to ever
please make sure that when you have
be in an aircraft. The mood was full of
media up in a CAP aircraft that the
anticipation and excitement of what was to
frequency display is covered up with a piece
come. When the plane landed, the smiles
of tape or other appropriate measure.
said it all.
Our frequencies are FOUO and must be
It was such a great time for the Cadets and
protected. This is an Air Force requirement
the unit to actually start doing the O-rides. It
and we need to make sure that we are
was an experience which will continue to
aware of OPSEC issues when we are
help this growing squadron.
working with the media in training or actual
missions.

Let’s use this as a learning experience.

Al Pabon, Major, CAP

National Public Affairs Team Leader
Headquarters, Civil Air Patrol

Orientation Flights Excite

Gadsden Cadets
"Awesome, exciting" C/Amn Jonathan Watkins and C/Amn Joseph
" I was so scared at first but then it was so Stanley in the rear seat with CA1C Stephen
cool," Watkins in the front.

June 2010 Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond 11

 about Redstone’s involvement in
Emergency Services, Aerospace Education
and Cadet Programs. Adams also
discussed how the Squadrons in North
Alabama, specifically Congressman
Griffith’s 5th District work with each other to
execute those missions.

2 Lt Bob Noone with the Watkins and Stanley.

Their excitement about CAP has grown so

much more intense since that event. Mr. LaBranche speaks to Redstone Cadets

2d Lt Catherine Stanley Closer to the end of the meeting, Mr.

Gadsden Squadron
Congressional Staffer Visits
Redstone Composite Squadron
Huntsville, Ala. – During the 5 April 2010
Cadet meeting, the Redstone Composite
Squadron had a special visit from
Congressional staffer, Mr. Robert
LaBranche. A former Cadet and Blue Beret
from the Montgomery Composite Squadron,
LaBranche is the Military Legislative
Assistant from Congressman Parker
Griffith’s office.
LaBranche addressed both Cadets and
Senior Members about topics dealing with
his background as a CAP Cadet, time
campaigning for Alabama Governor Bob
Riley and his time as an intern for Senator
Jeff Sessions. Mr. LaBranche provided
details about his formal education and his
time as Legislative Assistant on the
Congressman’s staff. Mr. LaBranche gave
an excellent overview of the history of our
government which he concluded with a
question and answer session.

While visiting the North Alabama Squadron,

LaBranche received an overview of the
Redstone Cadet Program and observed as
Cadets received promotions, drilled and
conducted PT. A few Cadets had the
opportunity to show off some of their ground
team equipment and to discuss O-Rides,
encampments and SAREXs they had
C/2d Lt. Michael Guthrie and Mr. Robert
participated in. LaBranche was briefed by
LaBranche
Squadron Commander Capt. Mark Adams

June 2010 Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond 12

During the Q&A session, Cadets asked Dothan Squadron On TV
questions about topics such as States
Rights, the legislative process, the size of a
Congressional staff and Academy
appointments. The night proved to be an
outstanding opportunity that allowed the
Cadets to gain additional insight into how
the nation is governed.

1 Lt. Kim Miller

Redstone Squadron, PAO

Lt Col. Brad Lynn and Lt. Col.

Harold Coghlan Visit Northern
Dothan Squadron Commander Lt Col Brett
Squadrons Lewis and C/SSGT Micah Messer pose on
the set of WTVY News.

Lt Col Brad Lynn Alabama Wing Vice

Commander visits with 2d Lt Robert Noone
from the Gadsden Squadron, during a
Denise Bradberry interviewed Lt Col Lewis
Safety and Ops Assistance Visit conducted
and Cadet Messer about the activities of the
by Col Lynn and Lt Col Coghlan, Wing
Dothan Squadron and about CAP in
Director of Safety. Lynn and Coghlan flew to
general.
visit Units in Gadsden, Redstone, Huntsville
and Muscle Shoals as a first step to assist
squadrons.

Alabama Wing Hosts National

Check Pilot School in Auburn
Auburn, Ala--The weekend of April 30
through May 2, 2010 brought 52 Civil Air
Patrol pilots from three states including
Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee together

June 2010 Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond 13

at the ROTC Center at Auburn University to Janice Wright (both AEMs who are currently
re-qualify CAP check pilots and to qualify teaching the ACE Program) and Senior
new check pilots. Officer of AL 801 who is also the Principal of
Corley Elementary School, James Burton
The Friday portion of the course was an
advanced course for instructors and check-
pilots reviewing techniques and procedures
as well as analyzing several recent general
aviation accidents.

The session held on Saturday was

presented by the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), at the invitation of
Capt. Donnie Todd, Alabama Wing Director
of Standardization and Evaluation. The
Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) seminar
was presented by FAA Safety Program
Manager Billy Hattaway.
Mr. Burton and the teachers felt like getting
Experts presented topics including runway a first hand experience in flying would help
incursions, air worthiness issues to avoid them relay that experience to the students
accidents, and new flight instructor in the classroom. They loved seeing their
techniques. Mike Mulvaney, Former Delta hometown of Boaz from the skies on such a
Airlines Captain and now the National beautiful day.
Runway Incursion Safety Program Manager
with the FAA, stated that pilot distraction
was the main reason for runway incursions.
A member of the FAA Safety Team from the
Birmingham Flight Standards District Office
discussed air worthiness and how to avoid
accidents.

Several of the CAP pilots taking part in the

training course completed check rides in the
G-1000 Cessna 182T aircraft, which has the
glass cockpit (see photo) LtCol Harold
Coghlan, Alabama Wing Safety Officer took
his checkride with LtCol Joe Brown from the
South East Region of CAP.
Capt Carl Foster was their pilot and he went
Capt Patricia Coghlan over all checklist and procedures with the
ALWG/Assistant PAO teachers. The teachers feel very lucky to be
a part of the CAP and be able to take a TOP
flight.

Maj. Lynn Toney

Boaz Teachers Take Boaz
Orientation Flights. Squadron

AL 801 Major Lynn Toney, Corley

Elementary School Mary Ann Jenkins,

June 2010 Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond 14

 Cadet Orientation Flights in
Boaz
On April 16th AL 801 and Gadsden
Composite 75 cadets took orientation rides
at the Albertville Airport.
All cadets flew and were inspired at all
different levels. For some it was their first
time, others second, third, and for one
cadet, C/Capt. Ryan Erskine; it was his 4th
o-ride.
Capt Bill Ott with C/Capt Ryan Erskine
These rides are so important to the Cadets;
they help keep them interested in aviation,
aerospace, and in CAP.
June 2010 Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond
Capt. Joe Robbins, Huntsville Squadron
Commander, explains procedures to C/MSSGt
Jake Toney
One of the new recruits from AL 801 said,
"There is nothing like being in the air in a
plane with your best friend when you are
only 12 years old!"
Celebrity Mention of Civil Air
Patrol.
Harrison Ford mentions the Civil Air Patrol,
9 minutes 34 seconds into his speech on
Capital Hill to the House General Aviation
Caucus. The House General Aviation
Caucus was formed one year ago by Co-
chairs Allen Boyd (D-Fla.) and Vernon
Ehlers (R-Mich.) The Caucus has grown to
116 members. (Check the full list to see if
your senators and representative are
members of the caucus.)
Harrison Ford mentions the Civil Air
Patrol on his speech in Congress
From the PAO-List Serve
Maria Balarin, CAP SM, PAO
Civil Air Patrol Senior Member
Jack Schweiker Composite Squadron
15
 Tuscaloosa Squadron Hosts Air Show at Maxwell AFB
Col. McClendon
Col. Jeffrey McClendon, Commandant of
the University of Alabama's Air Force ROTC
cadets. The Col. spoke about our
cooperation between the AAFROTC & gave
us info on scholarships through their
organization.

Capt Jerry Lusk Commander, Col McClendon, Air show at Tuscaloosa

and K. T. Gipson, AF Academy Cadet visiting
Tuscaloosa Squadron.

Other Photographs that have been sent by

squadrons that should be seen, but people
in the photos are not identified. (Reminder--
identify people in photographs. Ranks and
names are not always visible)

Review the rules for submission to National

and generally follow those rules for SER
and for Wing. PA Essentials are on the
Public Affairs page on the National Website.

June 2010 Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond 16

 Air show at Tuscaloosa
Public Affairs
The following resources are available on the
National CAP Website.
http://members.gocivilairpatrol.com
Choose National HQ and then Public
Affairs. The links below should be active
and can be used.
1. PA How To Guide
2. PAO Toolkit and online training
resources, including planning guidance
and other resources
3. PA orientation kit for new
commanders
FYI: The process for news releases on the
oil spill response in our region is for the
PAO at the Wing level to write the release
with the information available to him/her.
Then submit it to SER. SER submits the
release to National PA who then forwards it
to the NOC. After the NOC, the release
must be cleared by 1st AF and the Joint
Information Center.
June 2010 Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond
I have been able to release two local items.
Others are in the queue for approval. Two
have been printed.
The best information available is on the
National Website under News and High
Profile Missions.
For the Wing newsletter articles need to
follow the submission rules for National
publication.
1. Documents submitted in word. They
can be written as the body of the email.
2. Do not send pdf documents or
documents with embedded photographs.
3. Photographs should be attached jpg as
an email. Pick your best. Send as many as
you want, but be sure to identify the people
with name and rank. It takes hours to look
everyone up on eservices and try to figure
out who is who and hope that it's correct.
Here is PAO Contact Information.
Maj. Pat Mitcham
1919 McDowling Drive
Huntsville, AL 35803
Home: 256-880-0623
Cell: 256-337-7523
Email: pmitcham@knology.net
The next newsletter deadline is August 25,
2010. Please write articles and send
pictures using .doc and jpgs. Thank you.
17