Fall-Winter - Minnesota Wing

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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.
NCOS BCOC Minnesota Leadership Academy graduates 50 cadets Major Richard Sprouse Public Affairs Officer, Group 2 M i n n e s o t a W i n g ’ s Leadership Academy (MLA) had a full house during its annual session at Camp Ripley, graduating 16 cadets from the Basic Commissioned Officers Course (BCOC) and 34 cadets from the Noncommissioned Officer School (NCOS). The MLA is part of the Minnesota Wing’s Integrated Leadership Program, which provides cadets continuous training and development from cadet basic to cadet colonel. Drill and ceremony, human behavior modification, verbal and written communication, and conflict resolution are major components of NCOS. “I learned a lot about proper drill and ceremony during NCOS, and how I was doing it before was wrong,” said Cadet Airman First Class Kati Jents of St. Croix Squadron. “I can’t wait to go back to my squadron and practice what I learned.” The BCOC addresses elements such as character development, project management, ethics, and leading by example. “I took a ridiculous amount of notes during each session,” said Cadet Second Lieutenant David Nelson of Red Wing Squadron, “and I will apply what I learned at BCOC to make us an even better squadron.” T h e M L A p r e p a r e s cadets to become leaders through academic study and practical excises focusing on improving communications and interpersonal skills, affirmation of the leadership skills the cadets already have, as well as provide them ready resources that will help them deal with the challenges confronted by most young leaders. Each graduating class had a number of award winners who were selected for overall academy performance and leadership excellence. The cadets were presented their awards by Col. Tom Theis, Minnesota Wing commander. The distinguished graduate of the BCOC seminar was Cadet Second Lieutenant David Nelson of Red Wing Squadron. For the NCOS seminar, the distinguished graduate was Cadet Staff Sergeant Caitlin Albrecht of North Hennepin Squadron. Other cadets recognized for excellence included: N C O S s e m i n a r d i s t i n- guished graduates: C/A1C Megan Halek, North Hennepin Squadron, Alpha seminar; C/ A1C Abdulrahman Haji, Valley Squadron, Bravo seminar; C/SrA Jasmine Sands, North Hennepin Squadron, Charlie seminar; and BCOC’s C/SMSgt Jarek Connolly, Mankato Squadron, explains the successful characteristics of rocket flight during an Aerospace Education course during the 2009 MN Leadership Academy. C/SrA Matt Klugherz, 130th Squadron, Delta seminar. BCOC seminar distinguished graduates: C/2nd Lt Korben Weidenborner, St. Cloud Squadron, Alpha seminar and C/ CMSgt Libby Berg, Grand Rapids Squadron, Bravo seminar. While the MLA curriculum and experience provides a solid foundation for being a leader, the primary benefit Col. Theis wants cadets to leave with is a strong dose of confidence in their ability to be leaders. “We want them to feel empowered,” he said. That feeling was not lost on BCOC C/SMSgt Lydia Wiff of Viking Squadron, who said she was excited about applying what she had learned because the MLA experience was still fresh in her mind. “It really helped me develop that confidence . . . you can’t be afraid to speak up sometimes. You may just have an idea that would contribute to Civil Air Patrol as a whole, so speak up and make a difference,” she said. *All pictures courtesy Maj. R i c h a r d S p r o u s e , 2 0 0 9 Minnesota Leadership Academy BACKGROUND PHOTO: C/2nd Lt Korben Weidenborner (St. Cloud Squadron), BCOC Alpha seminar 10 distinguished graduate, proves it not all work and no play at the 2009 Minnesota Leadership Academy. 10
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: NCR CONFERENCE A Cadet Perspective
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 and 16: LINDBERG SAR Civil Air Patrol membe
Page 17 and 18: NORTHLAND ORIDES Northland Cadets F
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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