Fall-Winter - Minnesota Wing

BLACK CAP
Minnesota BlackCAP ES
College celebrates 25 years
Major Richard Sprouse
Public Affairs Officer, Group 2
Minnesota Wing’s BlackCAP Emergency
Services College celebrated 25 years September
25-27 with a near record turnout of 130 members
on a brilliant fall day.
Created by the Red Wing Squadron in 1984,
BlackCAP is devoted to teaching the search and
rescue procedures that enable Civil Air Patrol wings
everywhere to save nearly 100 lives every year.
Cadre at the event wears a special black cap.
“Each year at BlackCAP is different from every
other year, though the curriculum has always been
centered on ground team training,” said Major
Mari Lucas, one of the event organizers. She noted
teamwork is stressed, as well as creativeness and
the ability to make training and learning fun.
BlackCAP attendees are issued a small rubber
frog upon arrival and are held responsible for it during
the weekend; a life’s first lesson on accountability.
“BlackCAP is a great activity for new cadets,
and that little rubber frog teaches them the importance
of being responsible, especially when carrying
out a search and rescue mission,” said Lt. Col.
Chet Wilberg, Minnesota Wing Chief of Staff.
“It’s a characteristic that is at the core of
Using resources available and innovation are a big part of
Minnesota Wing’s BlackCAP ES College. Here, members
portray aircraft while a flight line marshaller directs the
“plane” to the appropriate location. 130 Minnesota Wing
members attended the event.
Attendees at Minnesota Wing’s 25th BlackCAP ES College
practice stretcher-bearing techniques.
CAP’s emphasis on mission execution, whether
that mission is saving lives or securing the nation:
accountability.”
Among the course offerings were flight line
marshalling, field first-aid, use of radios and direction
finding equipment, line searches, handling the
news media, and transitioning from a search to a
rescue operation.
Scenarios with missing persons and injuries put
the skills learned in the classroom to work in the field.
BlackCAP seems to have something for everyone.
It was a first time opportunity for young leaders
like C/2Nd Lt Ben Leaf of St. Cloud Squadron.
“It was my first time in a leadership role at a
CAP event, and it was outstanding!”
It was also a first for enthusiastic new members
like C/AB Michael Teener of Ft. Snelling Squadron.
“This is the first time I’ve attended a CAP event,
and it was awesome. I plan to come back next year!”
Lt. Col. Chet Wilberg, Minnesota Wing Chief of Staff, gives
a class on flight-line safety during Minnesota Wing’s 25th
BlackCAP ES College.