Wingspan

Spring/Summer 2010 Newsletter of the Oklahoma Wing Civil Air Patrol

INSIDE
Star-Spangled
Commander’s Corner page 13

Air shows and exercises page 1-2

Summer
Walk Around – squadron news CAP helps set up shelters and searches for
page 5-7 missing motorists during winter ice storms
On a mission – honoring a World
War II pilot page 3-4

Getting high – high altitude

training with the FAA page 7-8

National CAP news page 9-10

Calendar page 11

Why we serve page 12

Final approach page 14

The Last Word page 15

Wingspan is the quarterly newsletter of the

Oklahoma Wing Civil Air Patrol. Send
submissions to howdystout@gmail.com st
A member of the 101 Airborne Division’s parachute demonstration team opens
the show at Tinker Air Force Base this summer. USAF photo
By 2nd Lt. Howdy Stout – Oklahoma Wing Public Affairs Officer

Despite one of the hottest – and driest – summers on record,

members of Oklahoma’s Civil Air Patrol stayed busy with training
exercises, cadet encampments and numerous activities around the
state.

Summer is air show season and cadets and senior member lent a
hand at shows around the state, including the annual air show in
Ada and Tinker’s Star-Spangled Salute. The first air show at Tinker
Air Force Base in Oklahoma City in two years drew record-breaking
crowds despite 100-degree heat. Story continued page 2

Cit Cadets and senior members helped with crowd control during the
Citizens Serving Communities Above and Beyond Page 1
two-day show in June while Oklahoma CAP aircrews flew
numerous missions in support of the base’s open-house air show.
Flight missions included taking photographs of the crowds to assist
 Wingspan Newsletter of the Oklahoma Wing Civil Air Patrol

Summer is air show season and Tinker Air

Force Base pulled out all the stops with its
open house air show in June, the Star-
Spangled Salute. Air show acts included
st
the Thunderbirds, the 101 Airborne, and
the Commemorative Air Force and their
simulated Pearl Harbor attack. The first air
show at Tinker in two years prompted a
large crowd turnout over the Father’s Day
weekend despite temperatures in the
100s. More than 100 Oklahoma Civil Air
Patrol cadets assisted Tinker security
forces with crowd control, vehicle parking
and other air show-related duties. The
wing also flew several photo missions
during the two-day show to help Tinker
officials measure crowd size.

Photo by Tania Stout

from page one

Cadets and senior members helped with crowd control during the two-day show in June while Oklahoma
CAP aircrews flew numerous missions in support of the base’s open-house air show. Flight missions included
taking photographs of the crowds to assist the Air Force in estimating crowd size and future air show
organization.

“The Air Force was happy,” said Oklahoma Wing Commander Col. Robert Castle. “The cadets were hot and
tired but they had a great time.”

Oklahoma CAP members also assisted in the annual air show in Ada, which consistently draws a large crowd
every year to the free air show.

The Oklahoma Wing also hosted one of the CAP’s annual National Flight Academies in Shawnee. The week-
long Flight Academy gives CAP cadets the opportunity to undergo initial flight training.

Lt. Col. Ed Angala said 23 students attended this year’s Flight Academy in Oklahoma, with 16 students going
solo.

More than 100 cadets also attended this year’s annual Cadet Encampment, assisted by members of
Oklahoma’s National Guard. Cadets at the encampment have the chance to meet fellow cadets from around
the state and to learn some of the fundamentals of the Civil Air Patrol, including aviation education and
emergency services.

In addition, Oklahoma squadrons participated in numerous exercises, including low-level route mapping and
search-and-rescue events. The events are good practice as the wing is currently preparing for a full evaluation
of the Wing’s search-and-rescue capabilities next year.
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On a mission
CAP members remember World War II veterans
Howdy Stout – Oklahoma Wing Public Affairs Officer
Ardmore, OK – David Rule is a man with a mission.
For the past several years, Mr. Rule has handcrafted
plaques to honor the state’s surviving World War II
veterans. Called “The Greatest Generation,” the number
of surviving World War II veterans are rapidly
dwindling. And with the youngest of WWII veterans
now in their 80s, Mr. Rule wants to make sure they
receive their due recognition before it is too late.
“I make these plaques for our World War II veterans
and I’ve done about 40 of them for veterans in the Tulsa
area,” he says. “It’s an honor way past due.”
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Citizens Serving Communities Above and Beyond
His latest plaque, however, is a bit more personal. Made
from polished black granite and etched with the
“My wife’s uncle was a P-38 pilot and they were in flight
veteran’s unit emblem and details, this plaque is for 2nd
Newsletter of the Oklahoma Wing Civil Air Patrol Wingspan
A Consolidated B-24 bomber like the one flown by
Oklahoma resident and World War II veteran Theodore
J. Spurgeon.. Photo courtesy of the USAF.
His latest plaque, however, is a bit more personal.
Made from polished black granite and etched with the
veteran’s unit emblem and details, this plaque is for
2nd Lt. Theodore J. Spurgeon, a former B-24 bomber
pilot who was shot down and captured by the
Germans.
Mr. Spurgeon, now a resident of Ardmore, trained
with Mr. Rule’s wife’s uncle, 2nd Lt. William R.
Sumpter. The two recently corresponded by phone
after more than half a century. Story continued page 4
Page 3
Wingspan Newsletter of the Oklahoma Wing Civil Air Patrol

from page three

“My wife’s uncle was a P-38 pilot and they were in flight
school together in 1944,” Mr. Rule says. “He remembered
him.”

Mr. Rule says he found Mr. Spurgeon’s details through

the Ardmore military museum. After contacting him, Mr.
Rule discovered that Mr. Spurgeon and his uncle served
together.

A captain in the Civil Air Patrol, Mr. Rule enlisted the

help of his local squadron to help present the award to Mr.
Spurgeon in person. Mr. Rule says presenting the plaques
in person is more than just courtesy, it is a mark of respect
to America’s veterans.

A B-24 is hit in the wing by flak – anti-aircraft fire – while on a

mission over Germany in 1945. Lt. Spurgeon’s aircraft was also shot
down during a combat mission. He was captured by the Germans
and spent time in a Prisoner of War camp. USAF photo

The Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the United

States Air Force, also takes great pride in remembering
the nation’s veterans. Each December, the CAP lays
wreaths at military cemeteries around the world in
honor of the country’s fallen service members.

Created only a week before Pearl Harbor, Civil Air

Patrol members served in a variety of duties during
World War II, freeing pilots like Mr. Spurgeon for
overseas combat missions.

Mr. Rule and Lt. Colonel Joe Cavett, commander of the

Starbase Composite Squadron in Tulsa, will be flying to
Ardmore to present the plaque in person. In addition,
they will also take Mr. Spurgeon – who volunteered to
serve with the CAP after World War II – on a short
orientation flight in one of the squadron’s aircraft.

The B-24 Liberator participated in some of the toughest and For Mr. Rule, the reward is in recognizing America’s
deadliest bombing raids of World War II, such as the daring low- remaining World War II veterans.
level bombing raid on the German-controlled oil refineries in
Ploesti, Romania . The high-altitude bombers attacked from just “They deserve it,” he says.
Cit feet. USAF photo
300 Citizens Serving Communities Above and Beyond Page 4
 Newsletter of the Oklahoma Wing Civil Air Patrol Wingspan

Walk Around
Squadron news from around the state

The Muskogee Nighthawks took to the air after numerous tornados touched down in Oklahoma May 10. An estimated 60 tornados
touched down around the state, including one that devastated parts of Seminole’s airport. The Nighthawks conducted photo
evaluation missions to support the state government’s emergency response. Photo courtesy of the Muskogee Nighthawks Composite
Squadron 35024

Tornado response
Monday May 10 turned out to be a vicious day for
weather in the state of Oklahoma. More than 20 tornados
were on the ground, killing a number of people including
two in the central part of the state.
Capt. Ron Ezell piloted the CAP mission for the
Nighthawks and Col. Paul Bryant served in the observer
capacity.
The airport at Seminole was not spared from the
devastation. As seen in the photo, planes and hangers
were thrown about like they were matchwood.
During the photo mission CAP 3528 also had to dodge
other site-seeing aircraft, marginal VFR weather and at
times towers that disappeared into the clouds because
the ceilings were so low in places.

The crew flew over four hours photographing the
devastation east of I -35. The damage to the Loves just
east of Oklahoma City was utterly devastating, with
pieces of the structure thrown about in a half mile radius
from ground zero.
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Citizens Serving Communities Above and Beyond
The airport at Seminole was not spared from the
devastation. As seen in the photo planes and hangers
were thrown about like they were matchwood.
The crew also had to contend with rain and fog, but
they safely delivered the photos to the authorities in
Oklahoma City so that relief efforts could be
expedited.
Story continued page 6
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Wingspan Newsletter of the Oklahoma Wing Civil Air Patrol

A day in the life

Grove Squadron cadet Nathan Webb experienced
a day in the life of a trainee Air Force Pilot in June
during a US Air Force-sponsored incentive flight
in a T-6 trainer used to train future Air Force
pilots.

Webb, who wants to become an Air Force pilot,

reported for duty at Vance Air Force Base, a
major training airfield for new Air Force pilots.

His first day on base was spent dealing with the

ubiquitous paperwork, flight physical and ground
briefings. He learned the fundamentals of the
aircraft’s ejection seat system and also
Civil Air Patrol cadet Nathan Webb sits strapped in behind
experienced high-altitude effects in the hyper
instructor pilot Captain James Snyder. Cadet Webb spent a day
baric chamber. in the life of an Air Force trainee pilot at Vance Air Force Base.
Incentive flights such as these give CAP cadets a taste of
“There were other pilots checking in at the same
military aviation. Photo courtesy of Juanita Webb.
time for their flights and undergoing the same
processes,” explained his mother and fellow
SWR-OK-123 squadron member Juanita Webb.
“Nathan was very impressed with the experience
Air Force Association scholarships
he had.”

With a day of briefings and training behind him,
the next day saw Webb climbing into the cockpit
of a T-6 Texan II trainer for a realistic, five-g
pulling training flight.
Veteran Instructor Pilot Captain James Snyder put
the aircraft through its paces with Webb, going
through many of the same maneuvers used to
teach trainee pilots.
Vance Air Force Base is home to many of the T-6
trainers used for the Air Force’s primary flight
instruction.
Incentive flights are a way for many CAP cadets
to get a taste of military aviation. For Webb, the
flight sealed the deal – he reported last month for
the US Air Force Academy’s prep school in
anticipation of attending the four-year university.
Arlington, VA – The Air Force Association in July
announced twenty grants promoting aerospace
education for hundreds of students through Civil Air
Patrol squadrons, including grants to two Oklahoma
squadrons.
These AFA grants – each $250 – are awarded four
times each year, twice to units and twice to educators.
These AFA grants were distributed to 20 squadrons
for use in any Science, Technology, Engineering or
Math (STEM) activity or materials that promote
aerospace education.
The Air Force Association advocates education in
these crucial subjects to develop the skills necessary
for the 21st Century jobs in fields sustaining U.S. air
power. Use of the grants includes purchasing
textbooks, materials, or activities such as field trips to
aerospace museums.

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“He loved every minute of it,” his mother added.
“We must have enough skilled aerospace
professionals at all times to keep our nation strong

Continued from page 6
“We must have enough skilled aerospace
professionals at all times to keep our nation strong
and prosperous,” said S. Sanford Schlitt, AFA’s
Vice Chairman of the Board for Aerospace
Education. “AFA sponsors these activities to catch
the interest of some students early enough to allow
them to choose an aerospace education and career
path.”
Oklahoma squadrons receiving AFA Grants
included the Flying Castle Composite Squadron,
Tinker AFB, and the Starbase Composite
Squadron in Tulsa.
The AFA is a nonprofit organization promoting
public understanding of aerospace power and the
pivotal role it plays in the security of the nation.
Going solo
Broken Arrow Squadron 155 cadet Dillan Petty
went solo in July at Shawnee during the annual
National Flight Academy hosted by the Oklahoma
Wing.
More than 20 CAP cadets from around the
country attended one of the flying academies,
where each student received 10 hours of flight
instruction.
Cadet TSgt. Petty earned the Daedalion Flying
Training Scholorship to attend the Flight
Academy based on his essay submission on his
goal of becoming a military aviator.
This year CAP sponsored eight Flying Acadamies
around the country, training more than 300 cadets
in both powered and glider flying.
Solo students – including Sgt. Petty – lost their
shirttails and were doused with water on returning
from their initial solo flights.
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Citizens Serving Communities Above and Beyond
Newsletter of the Oklahoma Wing Civil Air Patrol Wingspan
Grants from the Air Force Association to two Oklahoma squadrons
will help pay for aerospace education visits to local museums.
Earlier this year cadets from the Edmond Composite Squadron spent
the day learning about aerodynamics during a visit to the Tulsa Air
and Space Museum.
Encampment experience
By Cadet Patrick Hoehn – Broken Arrow Composite
Squadron 155
I recently attended the encampment held here in
Oklahoma at Camp Gruber. It was the best time of my
life and I would recommend it to everyone.
I stuck out like a sore thumb as the only member from
the squadron to attend, but I quickly made friends with
members of my whole flight, who I consider my
brothers and sisters.
The days were pretty hectic and tended to run together,
but the first was spent unpacking and meeting our
flight while the second and third days started at 6:30
with PT.
Day four we went to the Tulsa Technology Center
learning about airplanes while day five saw us
repelling.
Day six consisted of running the obstacle course, a
banquet and then passing in review.
Page 7
Wingspan Newsletter of the Oklahoma Wing Civil Air Patrol

Getting high
A member of the Broken Arrow Squadron gains some high
altitude training from the FAA
Hypoxia is insidious in that suffers have no idea they
are being affected. Hypoxia can result in death or brain
damaged.

After the classroom instruction, Lt. Johnson and the

others entered a decompression chamber.

“Initially they took us to 8,000 feet and then they

simulated a rapid decompression to 18,000 feet, which
caused a cloud to form inside the chamber.” Lt.
Johnson said. “My heart was really pounding as you
really don’t know how your body is going to respond.

“They then took us to 25,000 feet where we then tried

some very simple tasks that became amazingly
difficult,” he added. “It was a real eye-opener that I’m
The FAA uses hyperbaric chambers such as this to give pilots glad I experienced so that now I can recognize when
and air crews first-hand experience of the effects of hypoxia in a
hypoxia starts to take affect and as a pilot take
safe environment. FAA photo
Second Lt. Scott Johnson of the Broken Arrow corrective action.”
Composite Squadron got a taste of the high life in
June after attending a high-altitude hypoxia course
sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration
in Oklahoma City.

“The course started with a couple of hours of class

activity explaining how your body will respond to
low pressure environments,” explained Lt.
Johnson. “The higher you fly, the lower the
pressure and the more quickly your body will
succumb to hypoxia.”

Hypoxia is the body’s lack of oxygen at low-

pressure environments due to reduced atmospheric
pressure. At high altitudes, the low pressure
means the body cannot get enough oxygen to Pilots and air crews suffering from hypoxia often have no idea
function properly. they are being affected and even simple commands and tasks
become difficult. NASA photo
Cit“Initially they took us to 8,000 feet and then they
Citizens Serving Communities Above and Beyond Page 8
simulated a rapid decompression to 18,000 feet,
which caused a cloud to form inside the chamber.”
Lt. Johnson said. “My heart was really pounding
 Newsletter of the Oklahoma Wing Civil Air Patrol Wingspan

National news
Guarding the gulf
Civil Air Patrol undertakes the largest mission since World War II

The Deepwater Horizon oil rig burns after an explosion that claimed 11 lives. The resulting oil spill was the largest in US history and
prompted the largest single-event response the Civil Air Patrol since World War II. United States Coast Guard photo
MOBILE, Ala. – Civil Air Patrol’s Deepwater continued diversification of Civil Air Patrol’s missions,”
Horizon Response reached significant milestones, said CAP National Commander Maj. Gen. Amy S.
surpassing 10,000 volunteer hours and 1,000 Courter.
hours of flight time while providing aerial oil spill
Acting in its role as the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air
reconnaissance along the Gulf Coast.
Force, CAP pilots flew the coastline daily to monitor and
“The level of CAP members’ response to the oil document oil control efforts, while scanners onboard took
spill is significant and an indication of the photos of booms deployed along the shoreline. The
Continued on page10

continued diversification of Civil Air Patrol’s

Cit images, as many as 3,000 each day, provide valuable
Citizens Serving Communities Above and Beyond Page 9
missions,” said CAP National Commander Maj. information to agencies managing the response.
Gen. Amy S. Courter, who received the news
during a briefing last week at the incident
Wingspan Newsletter of the Oklahoma Wing Civil Air Patrol

Continued from page 9

organization with a workforce of more than 60,000

members and one of the largest fleets of single-engine
aircraft in the world.

“It’s wonderful to see the trained, experienced,

US Air Force C-130 aircraft spray chemicals on the
Deepwater Horizon oil spill in an effort to disperse floating
oil before it reached the US coastline. United States Air
Force photo
photos of booms deployed along the shoreline.
The images, as many as 3,000 each day, provided
valuable information to agencies managing the
response.
“It is critical to (the response), because a day is an
eternity in this event,” said Eric Songer, data
management group manager for Geographical
Information Systems, one of several agencies that
worked at the command center. “If a boom gets out
of place or is misplaced, it’s not there to protect
what it’s supposed to.”
competent CAP members working shoulder-to-
shoulder with their Air Force and Coast Guard
counterparts as part of the whole team,” Courter said.
“We are partnered at such high levels with other
services and agencies. This speaks volumes about
CAP’s ability to handle incident command structures
and imagery standards.”
To date, CAP aircrews have launched 497 sorties in
support of the response, logging 1,099 flight hours in
33 of the organization’s signature red, white and blue
planes. In all, 239 CAP volunteers have put in 10,361
hours in support of the mission.
For now, Courter said CAP will maintain a presence in
Mobile. “From the briefings I heard today, I believe
there will continue to be a need to support the
communities and environment of the Gulf Coast and to
respond with smart people who are capable of
continually modifying their responses as the crisis
unfolds,” she said.

Courter’s comments came during a visit to the

incident command center in Mobile on the 60th day
of Civil Air Patrol’s sustained operation on the
Gulf Coast. Southeast Region Commander Col.
James M. Rushing, who briefed Courter on CAP’s
Gulf response to the oil spill, describing it as
CAP’s biggest mission since World War II, when
civilian pilots who founded the organization used
their own aircraft to keep German U-boats away
from America’s East and Gulf coasts.
The United States Air Force was assisted by the Civil Air Patrol
CAP has made great strides since those early days, in its largest single effort since World War II. United States Air
becoming one of the nation’s premier volunteer Force photo
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 Newsletter of the Oklahoma Wing Civil Air Patrol Wingspan

Oklahoma Wing Calendar

September: 1-4 National Board Meeting, San Diego California; 25-26 CLC in Tulsa, OK-125; 27 Oklahoma Wing
Golf Tournament fundraiser for annual wing conference.
October: 9 Wing Safety Day
December: 10-12 CAP and USAF pre-staff assistance visit in anticipation of the December 2011 compliance
inspection.

For more information and the latest updates to the Wing Calendar, go to www.okcap.org

Moving and growing

Changes to the Oklahoma Wing with new staff appointments
Oklahoma Wing Commander Col. Bob Castle recently announced the appointments of several new members
to the wing staff.

Deputy wing commander Col. Virginia Keller is now Vice Commander OKW West while Lt. Joe Cavett
gives up command of OK-151 squadron to become Vice Commander OKW East. Filling his shoes as
squadron commander of Ok-151 is Captain Samuel Ory. Captain Ory will also serve as the Assistant Wing
Legal Officer.

Lt. Latonya McHale will take over as the new Plans and Programs officer while Capt. Richard Fitzgerald
assumes the post of Assistant Communications Officer.

Capt. Jordan Edmond relinquishes command of his squadron to take over as the wing’s Inspector General
while Capt. Chris Painter becomes the Director of Safety.

“Please join me in congratulating these members and thanking me for their willingness to serve in these
important positions,” said Col. Castle.

Say again?
The only consistent thing about aviation is that it is
always changing. This time, though, it’s the words
and phraseology that are changing.
In keeping with international standards, tower
instructions to aircraft are changing, explains Capt.
Chris Painter, wing safety officer.
Instead of the familiar taxi clearance, taxi instructions
to aircraft must now include instructions to cross or
hold short of any intervening runways.
In the past, clearance to taxi to a runway cleared
aircraft to cross any intervening runways unless
specifically told to hold short. Pilots must also repeat
clearances to cross.
Also, the phrase “line up and wait” will replace the
familiar “position and hold.” Although the phrase
may sound unfamiliar, it means the same and is
phraseology used internationally. The change comes
as the FAA attempts to standardize terminology in
an effort to promote international aviation safety.

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Wingspan Newsletter of the Oklahoma Wing Civil Air Patrol

Why we serve
We all have our reasons for joining the Civil Air Patrol. Lt. Clay Morton
of the Muskogee Nighthawks shares his
By Lt. Clay Morton – Muskogee Nighthawks
Standing a few feet away was a small girl. Larry said
My good friend Larry Vaughn and I were making the
she looked very scared.
long drive from our homes to Muskogee for our bi-
weekly meeting with CAP. We were discussing why we “Please Daddy, get up” the girl said in a tearful voice.
joined in the first place. Larry said he couldn’t quit now even if he had to. This
man has to live.
Of course the first reason was for all the free flying that
we soon discovered didn’t happen all that often. In fact The minutes dragged by and still no response from the
the flying club we both belong to afforded us with much man on the floor, but Larry didn’t quit. After 11 minutes
cheaper ways to feed our flying hunger. Since that fact the paramedics arrived and took over. They hooked the
had been established, the reason must lie much deeper man up to an EKG monitor and charged the paddles.
than the obvious. They hit the man twice before they got a heartbeat. As
they loaded the man up to take him to the hospital,
After the conversation slowed down I asked Larry if he
police took Larry’s information for the report. Larry
ever saved somebody’s life. Larry, after a long pause
said the adrenaline flow had stopped and all he could do
said, “Yeah I have. How about you?”
was just sit there exhausted and shaking.
I replied “Yes I have, but it was a long time ago.” I told
A few months later Larry received a Christmas card. It
him about my story and he relayed his.
was from the little girl. Her dad had made it. Larry’s
Larry and his family had gone to Branson for a well- skills from emergency services had paid off
deserved vacation. When they arrived at Silver Dollar handsomely. They had placed a pacemaker in the man’s
City, they had to go through two gift shops – it’s kind of chest and he was going to be around to see his daughter
an impulse buyer’s prison – and you just have to buy graduate from high school.
something before you can leave.
There is no feeling in the world like knowing that
While Larry was standing there a man fell to the floor. someone is around to enjoy another day with loved ones
The man did not get back up and he was starting to turn and you had a small part in making that happen.
blue. People gathered around the fallen man but weren’t
Let me summarize: cost of yearly dues – $53 dollars.
doing a thing to help him. Larry’s a 20-year veteran fire
Monthly cost of fuel to attend meetings – $40 dollars.
fighter and knows CPR.
Cost to train in a 182 – $100 dollars an hour.
Larry felt the man’s neck for a pulse. There was none.
Value of receiving a thank you card from someone who
Larry started pumping the man’s chest. One, two, three,
would not be alive if it weren’t for your actions and
four, five. Breathe. Check for pulse. No pulse. One,
skills – PRICELESS.
two, three, four, five. Breathe. No pulse. Come on man!
“Help me out here,” Larry thought to himself. That is why we spend so much to fly for free.
Cit
Standing a few C i t away
feet i z e nwas
s Sa e rvin
small g Larry
girl. C o msaid
munities Above and Beyond Page 12
she looked very scared. “Please Daddy, get up” the girl
said in a tearful voice. Larry said he couldn’t quit now

Commander’s Corner
Membership is up, but we need to teach our members well
Left, taxying out for training and, above, a hangar full of
sleeping airplanes at the National Flight Academy in Shawnee
this summer.
Col. Robert Castle – Oklahoma Wing Commander
Another hot summer has come to an end and as
temperatures cool, thoughts turn to football and
other fall seasonal pursuits.
It was a busy summer for Oklahoma Wing members,
who participated in various squadron, wing and
national activities. My personal highlight was
participating in the National Flight Academy in
Shawnee, Ok.
Activity Director Lt. Col Ed Angala assembled one
of the best staffs and group of cadet pilots that I’ve
ever had the pleasure of associating with. The
weather cooperated and while it was hot, everyone
had a great time.
The Oklahoma Wing currently stands at just over
700 members. Not the most members we’ve ever
had, but up from just a few months ago.
Recruiting new members must be done with care, to
insure that we have people who genuinely care about
volunteering their time to help us perform our
missions.
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Citizens Serving Communities Above and Beyond
Newsletter of the Oklahoma Wing Civil Air Patrol Wingspan
While it’s good to have lots of new recruits, we are
also responsible to train them on CAP history, wear
of the uniform and military customs and courtesies in
addition to the specialized training for their chose
specialty tracks and emergency service skills.
If we fail to train them properly, we aren’t doing our
jobs and ultimately the member drops out. Not only
do we lose that member, we also lose other potential
members who hear that CAP is a waste of time.
If you are chose to mentor a new member, take your
responsibility to that new member seriously and help
them become the best CAP member that they can be.
I’ll be the first to admit that CAP rules, regulations
and e-services can be overwhelming to a new
member. Take the time to explain our procedures and
help that member get the training they need to be a
contributing member of our organization.
With every successful member, more will follow and
the Oklahoma Wing will continue to grow.
Encourage your fellow members to attend wing
training events. With every newly-trained and
qualified emergency services member, the better the
wing can respond to assist when called to duty.
And thank you for all you did and for all the hard
work this summer!
Page 13
Wingspan Newsletter of the Oklahoma Wing Civil Air Patrol
Final Approach
Seek and you will find – if you know what to look for
nd
By 2 Lt. Howdy Stout – Oklahoma Wing Public Affairs
Officer
The signs are everywhere.
In Big Spring, Texas, it is in the form of an
advertisement on the back of a bench outside the
airport’s terminal building. In Lafayette, Louisiana, it’s
emblazoned on the side of an aircraft on the ramp. In
Oklahoma City, it’s written on the side of a van in the
parking lot. And in Tulsa, it adorns a plaque on the
wall.
The signs? Civil Air Patrol, of course.
Like most pilots, I spend a lot of time either in the
airplane or at the airport. And since joining the Civil
Air Patrol last year, I’ve spent a lot of time looking for
signs of the Civil Air Patrol.
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Citizens Serving Communities Above and Beyond
Elsewhere I might see CAP cadets with shiny shoes touring
a flight museum in Dallas while others in camouflage BDUs
assist air show spectators find the nearest water station or
In the daily grind, I sometimes forget how widespread
this organization is. The Civil Air Patrol operates in all
50 states and has ties with similar organizations around
the world. As the official auxiliary of the United States
Air Force, it supplements and assists the Air Force in
accomplishing its various missions.
But the CAP goes beyond that. On a regular basis the
Civil Air Patrol is called on by state and local
authorities to assist in disaster relief, search-and-rescue
missions and counter-drug enforcement operations.
What CAP does daily might surprise you.
On any given day, I might hear a CAP flight obtaining
their flight clearance through air traffic control in
Arkansas. I might see a CAP flight crew in Louisiana
checking on the local weather, their faded blue flight
suits a testament to hours in the cockpit of small planes.
Elsewhere I might see CAP cadets with shiny shoes
touring a flight museum in Dallas while others in
camouflage BDUs assist air show spectators find the
nearest water station or toss a ball back to a young
spectator not much younger than themselves.
Whether it be launching a mission to search for a
missing person or flying a photo crew to keep track of
an oil spill, the Civil Air Patrol is everywhere and on
call – often at a moment’s notice – to help others.
Perhaps the most amazing thing is that all of us are
volunteers. We don’t have to do this. And although our
motivations might be different. In the end, we all
volunteered to help, when and where we can. Willingly.
The next time you travel, look around for the signs of
the Civil Air Patrol. Look carefully and you’ll find
them. That is, you’ll find you if you know what you are
looking for. The signs are everywhere.
Page 14
 The Last Word

EL RENO-- Civil Air Patrol members from both Edmond and Oklahoma City Composite Squadrons gathered
Saturday May 15th at the El Reno Regional Airport in El Reno, Oklahoma for the 2nd Annual Warbirds Over
Oklahoma model airshow and exhibition. More than 100 model airplanes, crews and pilots arrived to a less than 500
foot ceiling and dense fog, but by 10am the weather had improved, the attendee’s spirits had lifted and the model
airplanes dotted the skies over western Oklahoma. In addition to the air show the airport's Hangar 1 was utilized by
the Model Aircraft Association for a model airplane simulator, the United States Air Force's F-22 Engine cutaway as
well as a variety of other activities.

The Civil Air Patrol cadets participated in a variety of duties including flightline security, air traffic advisory and set-
up crew for the attendees. This was the second year for the Civil Air Patrol to be involved in this event; Warbirds
Over Oklahoma Show Director Steve Kessey said, "The event volunteers for Warbirds Over Oklahoma 2010 really
appreciate the Civil Air Patrol's eagerness to come out and assist us for this big event. Their training and ability to
perform tasks that we need done truly do serve a big role in Warbirds Over Oklahoma. My experience working with
the young men and women of the CAP give me pride in the future of our Country."

Mr. Kessey went on to say, "The vital roles the Cadets played during this event with gate security, crowd control,
and spotting for full scale (manned aircraft) helped with the event's success, not only in safety, but professionalism.
I will always request their assistance during this event." The event drew close to 1,000 spectators over two days to
the El Reno Regional Airport. Photo by Edmond Composite Squadron Black Knights
Cit
Citizens Serving Communities Above and Beyond Page 15