Wyoming Civil Air Patrol now part of Total Force

by Senior Airman Jason Wiese
90th Missile Wing Public Affairs

9/10/2015 - F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- When conducting missions for the Air Force as its official auxiliary, the Civil Air Patrol is included in the Air Force's definition of the total force after a recent decision by Air Force leadership. CAP has provided 74 years of support to emergency services, aerospace education and cadet programs.

The Air Force updated Doctrine Volume 2, "Leadership," expanding the Air Force's descriptions of total force and Airmen to now consist of active-duty, Guard, Reserve, civilian and auxiliary members, that is, members of the CAP, which supplements the Air Force.

Historically, the broader term Airmen referred to uniformed and civilian members of the U.S. Air Force (officer or enlisted, regular, Reserve, or Guard) regardless of rank, component or specialty.

With this newest change, Air Force leaders will consider each part of the total force, including the auxiliary, when determining the most effective and efficient ways to complete the mission. CAP has approximately 57,000 volunteers and 550 aircraft assigned to more than 1,500 stateside units available or currently supporting non-combat missions on behalf of the Air Force.

"It feels really good to be recognized by the Air Force for all the things we do," said CAP Maj. Aaron Seng, CAP Cheyenne Squadron commander. "All of our interaction with the Air Force has been good, but there hasn't always been widespread recognition."

Wyoming's CAP units focus on search and rescue missions mostly, Seng said.

"Being able to save someone's life is a tremendous feeling," he said.

For their aerial missions, the Wyoming CAP has five Cessna 182s and 1 Cessna Turbo 206 at their disposal, said CAP Col. Harold "Ken" Johnston II, Wyoming Wing commander. Two of them, including the 206, have forward looking infrared cameras for nighttime operations.

"Last year, our folks saved five lives," Johnston said. "That's number-one in the nation [for CAP SAR]."

Nationwide, the auxiliary members -- who fly nearly 100,000 hours per year performing disaster relief, counterdrug, SAR, fighter interceptor training, aerial observation and cadet orientation flights -- will now be included in the total force and referred to as Airmen during the performance of official duties in recognition of their contributions to the Air Force.

"It's going to be interesting," said Johnston about the CAP's new designation as auxiliary Airmen.

Instead of resting on their laurels now that the CAP cadets and leaders are now considered Airmen, Johnston intends to use this distinction to improve their relations with the rest of the Total Force and find more areas to assist.

"What we do is provide volunteers who go out and perform services the military can do, but on a much more cost effective basis," he said.

Whereas each hour of flight for Blackhawk helicopters costs the taxpayer about $6,000, CAP Airmen flying Cessnas cost about $150 per hour, Johnston said. He hopes to be more integrated into military activities to ease the burden on taxpayers.

Another benefit of more widespread recognition of the CAP is its potential effect on youths. Seng said people often worry about the direction the children and teens of America are heading in, but being part of the CAP gives him a sense of hope because cadets volunteer to be part of CAP efforts, especially SAR ground teams.

"It's a great way to give back to the community and a great way to volunteer," Seng said. "Seeing cadets step up for their community, for their state, for their country -- it's an amazing thing."

Virginia Air National Guard Airmen join with Civil Air Patrol in severe weather training exercise

By Air Force Staff Sgt. Meaghan E. M. Selki

192nd Fighter Wing

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Airmen with the Virginia Air National Guard’s 192nd Intelligence Squadron based in Langley Air Force Base worked with the Civil Air Patrol at Newport News—Williamsburg International Airport during Commonwealth Guardian, a training exercise that used geospatial information technology to provide incident awareness and assessment during a simulated severe weather event.

During the exercise, the 192nd IS and CAP were tasked to provide damage assessments at six locations along Interstate 81.

CAP Maj. Jim E. Byrd, CAP mission pilot, and CAP 2nd Lt. Sanae S. Kenner, CAP mission observer, together with 192nd IS domestic operations planners, took off toward Bristol, Va., with geospatial information equipment aboard the aircraft. While Byrd and Kenner focused on piloting and navigating the aircraft, a 192nd IS observer deployed the image and video capturing capability at specific locations, transmitting the information to analysts on the ground.

“CAP aircraft are specially equipped for communications, visual search and rescue, and are relatively slow-moving, which is conducive to clarity in imaging operations,” said Byrd.

Meanwhile, back at the airport, 192nd IS domestic operations planners received near real-time footage and communicated with the airborne team via Internet chat to pass on additional needs.

The ability to provide that coverage in an inclement weather event, or other natural disasters and emergency events, is an invaluable resource to senior leaders to assist in making decisions about where personnel and resources should be allocated.

“This inter-agency partnership is a force multiplier that provides situational awareness to incident commanders so they can allocate resources appropriately and help ease the suffering of Virginia’s citizens during times of a disaster or loss of property,” said Col. Steven R. Swetnam, Virginia National Guard director of intelligence.

The 192nd IS typically performs missions delivering real-time, high-confidence intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance products and services to joint and coalition forces and other government agencies.

Working with the CAP gave squadron members the opportunity to work in a different capacity.

“The Civil Air Patrol, as the non-combatant auxiliary of the United States Air Force, provides additional force multipliers for mission planners by utilizing CAP aircraft for geo-spatial imaging missions. CAP civilian crews are well-trained, non-paid volunteers, thus decreasing the cost of missions and utilizing local talent,” said Byrd.

National Guard Bureau's PATRIOT exercise engages local, federal emergency responders

The National Guard Bureau's PATRIOT annual training exercise has begun at Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center and Fort McCoy.

More than 1,100 participants are converging on the Wisconsin Air National Guard's Volk Field this week for a large-scale emergency response exercise, bringing community and federal agencies together with military organizations from several states. Agencies include the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Health and Human Services, Minnesota Department of Health Mortuary Response Team, Civil Air Patrol, Wisconsin Disaster Medical Team, Juneau County Sheriff and HAZMAT (Hazardous Material) Team, and the Tomah Police Department.

"This year's exercise is unique because we are training alongside local authorities," said Lt. Col. Brian Leong, PATRIOT 12 director. "Working with federal, state, and local authorities will allow us to be better prepared to respond to a national crisis."

The primary purpose of PATRIOT 12 is to assess the National Guard's ability to assist state and local agencies in response to multiple emergencies. The exercise will help all participants identify the strengths and weaknesses in their current response plans.

Local residents may notice an increase in air traffic as a result of the exercise. Some training may occur at low altitudes and in the evening, especially near Volk Field and Fort McCoy. Area residents with questions or concerns should contact Volk Field at 1-800-972-8673.

PATRIOT 12 runs July 17-19. Participants will conduct preparatory training until July 17.

Fleet Week Sailors Help Display National 9/11 Flag

By Mass Communcication Specialist 1st Class Jeremy K. Johnson, Navy Public Affairs Support Element East

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. (NNS) -- Sailors from USS Mitscher (DDG-57), USS Gonzales (DDG-66) and USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) joined members of the New York Says Thank You Foundation (NYSTY) in a brief ceremony to unfurl and display the National 9/11 Flag at The Sullivans Pier May 26.

Also participating in the ceremony were local Boy Scouts, New York Civil Air Patrol members, Fleet Week volunteers and Fleet Week attendees.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to participate," said Seaman Dustin Johnson of USS Mitscher.

The 30-foot American flag displayed was discovered hanging on the side of a building tattered and torn, close to where the World Trade Center towers fell on Sept. 11, 2001. The flag was recovered, and has been fully restored by NYSTY volunteers.

"There's a lot of love in this flag," said Jimmy Sands, a NYSTY volunteer and New York City firefighter. "We estimate probably about 6 million people have held this flag since 2008."

Volunteers of the NYSTY organization answered the call to serve after Sept. 11, 2001, and travel around the country to help rebuild communities affected by disasters.

The National 9/11 Flag contains patches from retired flags of all 50 states, patches of flags recovered after the 9/11 disaster, a patch stitched aboard USS Missouri (BB-63) on Pearl Harbor Day by World War II survivors, and many more patches representing the strong history and pride of our nation.

Fire Controlman 3rd Class Jeremy Kirby of Donald Cook said seeing this flag was a very moving experience.

"To see the way these volunteers came together to repair this flag is encouraging. It shows what we can do as Americans if we just believe in ourselves."

Held nearly every year since 1984, Fleet Week New York is the city's celebration of sea services. Fleet Week New York provides an opportunity for the citizens of New York City and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as see, first-hand, the latest capabilities of today's maritime services. More than 6,000 service men and women from the U.S. and coalition nations are participating.

This year, Fleet Week New York is one of the signature events around the country commemorating OpSail 2012, the bicentennial of the War of 1812, and the Star-Spangled Banner. The Commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 is a salute to all Sailors and Marines who fought gallantly in that conflict, who served in all our nation's conflicts since then, and who are defending freedom around the world.

Face of Defense: Airborne Soldier Tells Army Story

By Christine June

U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion, Harrisburg, Pa.

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 14, 2011 – Jumping into a two-hour airborne class of his own design, Army recruiter Staff Sgt. Joseph Tremblay shares his experiences as a soldier with rapid-fire command and enthusiasm.

“Check body position, toe to toe, heel to heel, knees off to the rear, elbows in tight -- 45-degree angle -- hands on the side of your reserve -- pretend you have one -- chin on your chest, eyes open,” drilled Tremblay to 114 future soldiers in April and 15 Civil Air Patrol cadets in June.

An infantryman in the Army for 10 years, Tremblay is almost halfway through his tour as a recruiter at the Harrisburg Opportunity Center, which covers an area of 954 square miles and is home to almost 260,000 people. His previous assignment was as an instructor for almost two years at the three-week U.S. Army Airborne School -- widely known as Jump School – held at Fort Benning, Ga.

“He has found a way to relate to teenagers and young adults, and their parents by doing something he loves,” said Staff Sgt. James Slough, the Harrisburg Opportunity Center commander. “Teaching these airborne classes helps him to gain exposure for the Army in the community.”

Tremblay -- a jumpmaster awarded the senior parachutist badge and who has 42 jumps -- developed hands-on training sessions for the public that can be as long as two hours or as short as 45 minutes. He said he was able to do this by condensing the information taught at Ground Week -- the airborne school’s first week -- to give youths a basic knowledge of airborne operations.

“You are going to be learning how to properly wear a parachute harness and land without injuring yourself,” Tremblay explained at the two training sessions he has conducted so far in the Harrisburg community.

Imagination replaced having a mock door of a C-130 or C-17 aircraft like at the school, but Tremblay’s students didn’t have to pretend to have parachute harnesses. Borrowing from local Army units, Tremblay ensured each student had one. He also borrowed a full parachute ensemble for one student to wear as an example for the class.

Civil Air Patrol Cadet Master Sgt. Joseph Dempsey, 17, was chosen to put on the full gear during the airborne training held June 29 at the 193rd Special Operations Wing’s Pennsylvania Air National Guard base here.

“It was by far one of the best things I have done in CAP so far,” said Dempsey, who has been involved with the all-volunteer organization for about five years.

Working together in teams of two, Tremblay’s students helped each other with the parachute harnesses. As he gave instructions on how to put those on, Tremblay and fellow recruiters, who also are airborne soldiers, would double-check to ensure students were properly adjusting the straps on their harnesses.

“I was blown away by the training,” said Army Capt. Ryan Greenawalt, the commander of the Harrisburg Recruiting Company, who witnessed the session Tremblay gave to the CAP cadets. “You can tell he loves being an airborne soldier, and the cadets were glued to every word.”

Students kept these harnesses on throughout the basic airborne class that touched on the five points of performance: proper exit, check body position and count; check canopy and gain canopy control; keep a sharp lookout during your entire descent; prepare to land; and land.

“Airborne! What are you looking for?” Tremblay asked when teaching the second point of performance, check canopy and gain canopy control.

“Holes, rips, tears, blown sections, gores and broken section lines,” the classes answered in unison after repeating it probably about 20 times in the past five minutes.

Tremblay, who joined the Army at age 19, said that infantryman was the only thing he saw himself doing.

“I just like being in a combat job,” said Tremblay, who has been deployed to Iraq twice. “Both times, [my infantry units] established a patrol base in the local communities, so I was able to live with them, learn their culture and eat their food.”

Tremblay said he teaches airborne classes to the community “to give people a little bit of exposure to the Army and that we have all kinds of different options and programs.”

Then, he smiled and added, “I can talk airborne all day long.”