Fall-Winter - Minnesota Wing

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Preflight north of Staples. Staples and the destination airport of Hallock are located in Northwestern, MN. Media from North Dakota and <strong>Minnesota</strong> wanted information on the search efforts. Interviews were conducted by all of the TV networks, radio stations and newspapers. Some interviews were by phone but most were in person. The media had an opportunity to see the Civil Air Patrol members in action, along with talking to ground and aircraft teams directly involved with the search. They provide the public with information about the continuing search. The search continued with the expansion of the concentrated area from early day light to after dark each day. Pastor, Bob Griggs, said, during a press conference, “he married Andrew (the pilot) and Kate Lindberg six weeks ago.” “This is a very difficult time for the family,” he said. Pastor Griggs thanked the Civil Air Patrol for operating so professional, their dedication and volunteering of their time during the search. “The family is very grateful for the services provided by the Civil Air Patrol,” said Griggs. Aircraft from South Dakota joined in the search and the concentrated search area continued to expand. 18 aircraft and nearly 400 Civil Air Patrol members supported the search mission either on site or from remote areas. The search covered over 4,000 square miles. CAP deployed an advanced imaging system called ARCHER (Airborne Real-time Cueing Hyperspectral Enhanced Reconnaissance) System to help search for Mr. Lindberg and his plane. ARCHER is a custom-designed system which uses a hyperspectral camera and special software for search and rescue (SAR), disaster impact assessment and relief, and homeland security. ARCHER has three methods for finding things: signature matching (matching reflected light to spectral signatures), and anomaly detection (calculates a statistical model of all the pixels in the image to see if there is a probability that a pixel does not belong in the scene). For this search this system is being used to look for anomalies. Search operations with the ARCHER System along with the many aircraft, aircrews, and ground teams continued. An aircraft was spotted Tuesday, November 17, in the late afternoon by a private pilot flying across the missing aircraft flight path southwest of Bemidji, MN. A Civil Air Patrol ground team from Bemidji and the Clearwater Sheriff’s Department went to the crash site about a mile and half from any roads in a very dense wooded area, to mark the site, in the dark of night. Members of the family confirmed the aircraft to be that of their loved one Andrew Lindberg, he died in the crash. Civil Air Patrol members were put into action over the course of the search. The hundreds of hours of volunteer training to be prepared and then the hundreds of members who volunteered for the missing aircraft mission all came together during a time of need by a family who is so grateful to the members of the Civil Air Patrol. “Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond.” Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with 58,000 members nationwide. CAP performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and was credited by the AFRCC with saving 91 lives in fiscal year 2008. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counter-drug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the nearly 22,000 young people currently participating in CAP cadet programs. CAP has been performing missions for America for 68 years. Pictures taken by 1st Lt. George Supan 19 19
NORTHLAND ORIDES Northland Cadets Fly in Bemidji Capt. Robin Helgager Commander, Northland Composite Squadron Ten cadets recently experienced the thrill of aviation, through orientation flights at the Bemidji Regional Airport. The cadets flew a combined 10 hours in two of CAP’s Cessna 172’s and one Cessna 182. “It was awesome!” reports Cadet Chris Madsen, age 14, of Bemidji. “I got to use the controls and get the feel of how the aircraft handled.” The hour-long flights in single-engine Cessna aircraft introduced the cadets to the science that makes flight possible. They learned about navigation, weather, aircraft instruments, flight maneuvers, and more. The cadets’ day began by helping preflight their aircraft. Working with their pilot, they taxied their aircraft to Bemidji Airport’s runway 13, gave it full throttle and took off, climbing to 3,000 feet. While aloft, it was the cadets who were handling the controls, during the non-critical stages of the flight. “You really have to pay attention when you’re at the controls,” explained Cadet Mary Rogers, 14, “but once you get past your initial Cadet Jacob Rogers, 12, (Bemidji) smiles as he prepares for takeoff during the Civil Air Patrol’s orientation flight day at Bemidji Regional Airport. nervousness, it’s fantastic.” Once they reached their assigned altitude, the cadets turned towards their destinations; either Thief River <strong>Fall</strong>s, Detroit Lakes, Park Rapids or Grand Rapids, where they made a brief stop. Then it was another cadet’s turn at the controls for the flight home. CAP pilots repeated this round-trip throughout the day. “I’ve been flying cadets for over three years, and it’s always exciting for me just to see the look on the kids’ faces,” said one of the pilots, CAP Capt. Mark Johnston of Duluth. Pilots volunteering their time were, Major Charles Schumacher and Capt. Mark Johnston from the Duluth Squadron, Senior Member Jim Williamson flew from the Walker Squadron and Capt. Ray Majkzrak flew in the pilot rotation from Bemidji. Civil Air Patrol provided the aircraft and fuel, at no cost to the cadets or the pilots. The cadets participating were: Mandy Bushong, Jesse Bushong, Cody DeGrote, Timothy Johnson, David Helgager, Jacob Rogers, Joseph Rogers, Mary Rogers, Tom Rogers. L-R Cadets Nick Weber, 12, (Bemidji) and Tim Johnson, 14, (Menahga) assist Major Charles Schumacher (Duluth) in pre-flighting their Civil Air Patrol aircraft before enjoying an orientation flight. 21 21
Page 1 and 2: Northern Flights The Official Magaz
Page 3 and 4: Sprouting Wings Pat Christman The M
Page 5 and 6: Flying High at MN Flight Academy Co
Page 7 and 8: NCR CONFERENCE A Cadet Perspective
Page 9 and 10: NCOS BCOC Minnesota Leadership Acad
Page 11 and 12: Services, it got me hooked, and now
Page 13 and 14: C/TSgt Richard Shmel and C/CMSgt Al
Page 15: LINDBERG SAR Civil Air Patrol membe
Page 19 and 20: Members Ride in CH-47 Chinook Helic
Page 21 and 22: Minnesota Encampment Tests Skills,
Page 23: Flying High Black Hawk Style C/SrA

Fall-Winter - Minnesota Wing

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