T HE N EWSLETTER

OF THE

M C H ENRY C OUNTY C OMPOSITE S QUADRON

M C H ENRY C OUNTY P ATROL

C IVIL A IR P ATROL - US A IR F ORCE A UXILIARY HTTP :// WWW . GROUP 22. NET / MCCS When I joined CAP in 1998 it was because of my sons. They did great and I soon discovered that the program provided rewards for me too. A pat on the back and some bling for a job well done; I was easily bought. Especially true, since at the time, I was a stay at home mom/home school teacher, a position rewarding in the long run, but not always appreciated on a daily basis. This, however, is not what has kept me coming back for the long haul. The true reward has been the opportunity to develop cadets and officers. I think of the many cadets who have benefited from membership at MCCS. Cadet Mangano whose boot-camp like experience with boards caused her to look within herself and become an adult; or Cadet DeCraene, who seeking the best has realized that the best does not always have to be perfect; or Cadet Williams who needed guidance and was given an opportunity to lead where he proved he could excel. At MCCS, we have also had the opportunity to provide development for adult officers. Some, not unlike me, begin the program for the rewards, but most find, that the real reward is in watching/mentoring others to succeed. CAP is not unlike life. It is as we take our eyes off of ourselves and become other oriented that we can find the true rewards life has to offer. Thank you cadets for making the cadet program a reality at MCCS. Thank you officers/staff for walking beside me in guiding the young people that have been placed in our care. And thank you parents for entrusting us with your most precious gifts. Leading MCCS was one of the most rewarding opportunities given to meone that I do not leave lightly, but one that I feel confident that will continue under the current leadership, and continue to be a shinning example of CAP program capabilities. May each of you be blessed with the wind to your back, and may your CAP career goals become a reality. Be Blessed,
I NFORMATION Deadline for all submissions is the 25th of the preceding month. Email submissions to jkalemis@comcast.net, editor or deliver a hardcopy. All photographs are by 1st Lt James Kalemis, 2nd Lt Paul Ebanks or Cadet Shelby McMahon unless otherwise noted.

W INTER 2007

Major Rhonda Anderson

Relinquishing Commander 1st Lt James Kalemis and staff Best wishes and Godspeed.

C IVIL A IR P ATROL - US A IR F ORCE A UXILIARY

P AGE 2

2006 A W ONDERFUL Y EAR

C IVIL A IR P ATROL - US A IR F ORCE A UXILIARY

P AGE 3

F ROM

THE

C OMMANDER

I want to say again what an honor and privilege it is to serve as your Commander. But my job is a bit easier due to the great work that Major Anderson has done. I do not need to rebuild nor start from the ground up. Major Andersons leadership and building the squadron to what it is today means I just need to keep steering this fine unit down a great path. I entered by command with our first big challengeneeding to move from the large hangar we had at Galt. I know relocating can be stressful times, but I ask for your continued patience over the next few months. While the weather is still cold, we will be at the Woodstock Firehouse. Our hosts have been very gracious for giving us this opportunity and we really do appreciate it. The Firehouse will not be available a couple times in March, so we will meet in the Library or another location. A schedule will be distributed soon. On page two you see some of the events we participated in during 2006 and 2007 will be just as exciting! The Challenger Center was a big hit and the C-130 flight was great! The rocketry program is advancing nicely and we will have a launch date in March/April. We have also scheduled monthly Orientation Rides and we are incorporating aircrew sessions in our Emergency Services training. Encampment days will be upon us soon and I expect everyone who can to participate to attend. The NCSA events will keep many busy during the summer and I am sure you will learn about them in the newsletters. We will also have our usual parades, library presentations, and events like King of the Rock. Something is also telling me that the monthly picnics will be back! The link to our upcoming events is on the last page of this newsletter. I want to encourage all cadets and seniors to participate in as many events as possible. Your participation is greatly appreciated and you make it all possible. And more importantly, you make it FUN! Best Regards,

James Kalemis
C ADET C OMMANDER
By Capt Mordechai Levin Cadet Maria Mangano has been awarded the Illinois Wing Cadet Commander of the Year. Among Cadet Manganos accomplishments in 2006 include Cadet Commander of Aircraft Manufacturing and Maintenance Academy, Cadet Commander of Advanced Technologies Academy, Project Officer of Basic Cadet School and NCO Academy, Graduate of Cadet Officer School, and instructor of classes at the Illinois Wing Conference 2006. The classes were attended by Officers and Cadets, including a class on alternate methods of teaching aerospace within a squadron. Additionally, she has conducted Rocketry Program demonstrations at the Wauconda and McHenry Public Libraries. During the October 2006 Illinois Wing Conference, Cadet Mangano did more than instruct classes for Officers and Cadets on alternate methods of teaching aerospace education topics and laboratories within the squadron. Mangano was also the Master of Ceremonies for the General Assembly. Surrounded by Officers and dignitaries she comported herself with dignity, ease and grace. In addition, Mangano was presented an award by the NHQ Deputy Director Rob Smith. Three days later while visiting the McHenry County Composite Squadron, I observed Maria leading a Cadet Orientation Course. Watching Maria teach with patience, humor and a total lack of pretense I was reminded of the line from Kiplings IF: If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch. At the moment she was teaching those freshly minted Cadets - they were to her the most important people in the world.

OF THE

Y EAR

C IVIL A IR P ATROL - US A IR F ORCE A UXILIARY

P AGE 4

C-130 O RIENTATION F LIGHT

The C-130 rid was awesome! It took a while to get off the ground, but eventually after waiting about an hour or so, we finally boarded the aircraft. One of the load masters explained all the rules and what we would be doing after we had strapped in. We then waited for the wings to be de-iced and finally we taxied out to the runway. The pilots then ran the engines up to full poser and held the brake down and then for what seemed like an hour we waited. The pilots let go of the brake and we went screaming down the runway and let me tell you the C-130 is not a small plane and we were going fast. We lifted off and flew off into the wild blue yonder. We flew all the way down to Chicago over Lake Michigan. Our altitude during the flight ranged from 500 to a couple 1000 ft. above the lake. We did all kinds of crazy maneuvers and for a large duration of the flight we got to walk around. We even got to tour the cockpit. At one point the back cargo door was opened and the two load masters walked out on to the cargo ramp, while we were in the air! When we thought it was all over and we were going to land, the pilot threw the plane into a hard back to that the wings were almost completely vertical and we were either lying on our backs or hanging from our seats. Then the pilot threw the plane into another back in the opposite direction. After all the crazy maneuvers we landed and the flight was over. It was one of the greatest flying experiences of my life! - Cadet Ross Kohler

Although the C-130 is one of my favorite aircraft, I wasn't really sure what to expect from the O-Flight. I was amazed by the interior and flight deck of the aircraft. I thought it was really cool when the aircrew opened the back of the plane in flight and we were able to look out the back. Participating in a once-in-a-lifetime event with my squadron members was the best part for me! - Cadet Maria Mangano

C IVIL A IR P ATROL - US A IR F ORCE A UXILIARY

P AGE 5

C HALLENGER C ENTER
Cadets Successfully Resolve Crisis at International Space Station Simulator during Challenger Center Mission The Crew: 34 Cadets from six Civil Air Patrol squadrons in northern Illinois developed leadership, teamwork and communication skills while resolving a simulated threat to the Challenger Center Space Station air purification system. The Mission: Rendezvous with a comet speeding through space during a window of opportunity. Build a probe to collect data from the comet while navigating the stars keep crewmembers healthy and keeping the ship in working condition. The Crisis: A simulated threat to the space station air purification system. The Outcome: The Cadets learned that teamwork combined with proper communication and leadership skills is the key to resolving crisis and achieving their goals. Using the concept of simulation as an instructional tool, Challenger Center programs create exciting, cooperative learning environments that encourage long-term interest in math, science and technology and motivate students to pursue careers in these fields. The Challenger Learning Center provides visitors/students with an interactive computerized simulation of a Mission Control and a spacecraft for exploration.

C IVIL A IR P ATROL - US A IR F ORCE A UXILIARY

P AGE 6

P ROMOTIONS
Photos by Cadet Shelby McMahon

2nd Lt Diane Workman

1st Lt

C/Major Maria Mangano

C/2nd Lt Jared Hendler

C/Lt Col

C/1st Lt

1st Lt Sharon Freund

Capt

Loening Award and Capt

1st Lt Esther Medina

SM Kevin Stebbins

2nd Lt

I MPORTANT D ATES
17 Mar - Color Guard Competition, Rantoul 24 Mar - ES Day, Galt 25 Mar - O F L I G H T S, Galt 25 Mar - ILWG Spring Encampment RST, Chicago Executive (PWK)

C/SMSgt Brian Freund

14 Apr - ES Day, Galt 15 Apr - O F L I G H T S, Galt 14-15 Apr - SLS/CLC, Peoria 13-15 Apr - ILWG Spring Encampment Week 1 20-22 Apr - ILWG Spring Encampment Week 2 4-6 May - GLR Cadet Competition Wright-Patt AFB, OH 4-6 May - Air Force Evaluated SAREX, Marion 19-20 May - SLS/CLC, Great Lakes Naval Station

C/CMSgt

C IVIL A IR P ATROL - US A IR F ORCE A UXILIARY

P AGE 7

S ENIOR S TAFF
Commander .... 1Lt James Kalemis Advisor to the Commander .. 2Lt Lupe Lopez Deputy Commander Cadets . Capt Esther Medina Leadership Officer .... LtCol Ken Anderson Capt James Smith Moral Leadership Officer .. Major Rhonda Anderson Medical Officer....Dr. Mackie Snebold Nurse Officer ... Capt Doris Mangano Safety .... 2Lt Mike McMahon Administration/Personnel.... Capt Sharon Freund Aerospace Education ...... 1Lt Bob Kryscha Cadet Programs ...2Lt Paul Ebanks 1Lt Diane Workman 2Lt Fred Hyzny Communications...2Lt John Peterman Finance .... Capt Doris Mangano Supply ...... 2Lt Kev Stebbins SM Donald Lazov Public Affairs & Marketing .... Capt Doris Mangano Emergency Services .... Capt Corey Stohlquist Flight Release Officer .. Capt Mordechai Levin Standardization/Evaluation Officer Capt Mordechai Levin Professional Development .. Capt Corey Stohlquist Transportation Officer ...2Lt Fred Hyzny Capt Corey Stohlquist Newsletter Editors ..2Lt Diane Workman Major Rhonda Anderson

C ADET S TAFF
Cadet Commander .... Capt Steven DeCraene Advisor to the Commander . LtCol Maria Mangano Executive Officer ..... 2Lt Emily Medina First Sergeant ..... SMSgt Ross Kohler Flight Commander ..... 1Lt Krystal Freund Flight Commander ... CMSgt Ethan Peterman Flight Sergeant ... MSgt Brian Freund Aerospace Education Officer . LtCol Maria Mangano Emergency Services .. CMSgt Ethan Peterman Training Officer .... LtCol Maria Mangano Recruiting/PT Officer ........ 1Lt Jared Hendler Public Affairs .... SSgt Shelby McMahon Color Guard Commander .... SMSgt Scott Hendler

CAP-USAF CAP-RAP TSgt Kenneth Roth (847) 688-5810 email: k.roth1@sbcglobal.net

E VENTS C ALENDAR WWW .GROUP22.NET/MCCS/ EVENTS . DOC

W EBSITES
McHenry County Composite Squadron http://www.group22.net/mccs Illinois Wing News Blog http://ilcapnews.blogs.com Group 22 CAP http://www.group22.net Illinois Wing CAP http://www.ilcap.org Great Lakes Region CAP http://glr.cap.gov/files/index.html National Headquarters CAP http://www.cap.gov

C ONTACT I NFORMATION
53 Hummingbird Ln, Streamwood, IL 60107 (847) 668-3109 jkalemis@comcast.net

M EETING I NFORMATION
Tuesdays 6:45pm9:15pm Galt Airport 5112 Greenwood Road, Hangars E6-7 Greenwood, IL 60097