CIVIL AIR PATROL, MONTANA WING

TRANSPONDER

APRIL - MAY 2012

Civil Air Patrol - Citizens Serving Communities: Above and Beyond
Captain Bruce Kipp Wing Director of Public Affairs (406) 942-0098 pa@mtwg-cap.us

WING TIPS
The CAP is featured in a 2 minute video on the homepage of af.mil, the official Air Force website the
Air Force Report. It covers the role CAP plays in Air Force domestic noncombat missions and has footage of
each of CAPs primary missions of emergency services, aerospace education and cadet programs. View it on:
www.capvolunteernow.com/headlinenews/?civil_air_patrol_featured_in_2_12minute_video_on_air_force_website&show
=news&newsID=12777

The April 2012 Safety Beacon, the official safety newsletter of the Civil Air Patrol, is now available
online at: http://capmembers.com/media/cms/Safety_Beacon_April_2012_640E7FA042679.pdf
Vanguard, official supplier to the CAP, now offers several types of low cost, durable safety vests. Go to
their website or click this link Safety Vests - Vanguard Provides a Low Cost Durable Safety Vest
Change 2 to CAPR 5-4, Publications and Forms Management, dated 30 March 2012, is available on the
publications page at: www.capmembers.com/media/cms/R005_004_F7084C4E1AA0E.pdf
The April-June issue of Open Cockpit, quarterly online news and information journal on CAP events,
policies and initiatives, is available at: www.capmembers.com/cap_national_hq/ex__cc_open_cockpit.cfm
Registration for CyberPatriot V, the nation's largest high school cyber defense challenge, is now open.
Students from all U.S. High Schools, accredited home school programs and the Civil Air Patrol can participate.
Registration ends September 30, 2012. CyberPatriot is an exciting and educating competition that motivates
those who will become the next generation of cyber leaders. Established by the Air Force Association, CyberPatriot was created to inspire high school students toward careers in cyber security or other science, technology,
engineering and mathematics disciplines. CyberPatriot offers valuable skills for students, providing hands-on
learning about technology and cyber defense, emphasizing teamwork and leadership, and exercising skills in
problem-solving and critical thinking. Teams register in two divisions representing all 50 states and Department
of Defense Dependent Schools in Europe and the Pacific. Public, private, parochial and home schools register in
the Open Division. Junior ROTC units of all Services and Civil Air Patrol unit register in the All Service
Division. This division was won the last two years by a Civil Air Patrol team.
How the competition works: CyberPatriot has a tournament-style tiered structure with three preliminary rounds,
culminating in an all-expenses-paid trip to the national championship in March 2013. In the preliminary rounds,
teams learn to defend computer networks from real-life computer threat scenarios. Participants compete online
to seek out flaws in simulated computer systems while keeping specified computer functions working. During

the national championship round, finalists defend virtual networks from a professional aggressor team. The
Department of Defenses Cyber Crime Center will conduct a forensics portion of the competition, teaching and
testing high school competitors on the field of cyber forensics through the application of crime scene analysis,
evidence gathering and critical thinking.
The only cost to teams is a $375 entry fee which provides access to the software and participant materials and
defrays travel expenses for teams qualifying for the finals. More information is at www.uscyberpatriot.org
CAPR 1-2, Personally Identifiable Information, dated 3 April 2012, is now available on the publications
page at: www.capmembers.com/media/cms/R001_002_15BAF8B12FA4B.pdf. It would behoove every senior
member to read this new and very important regulation and ensure that the cadets are made aware of it as well
The digital Civil Air Patrol Volunteer is at www.capvolunteernow.com/cap_volunteer/. In addition to
the cover story about U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Sid Clarkes first visit to CAP National Headquarters, coverage in
the April-June 2012 e-edition of the Volunteer includes a 70th anniversary story about the vital role CAP women
played in the early days of the organization. There is also a story about CAPs CyberPatriot IV champions the
Wolfpack of the Colorado Springs Cadet Squadron
The spring 2012 edition of the Aerospace Education Newsletter has an article about MTWG Director of
Aerospace Education Lt Col Kaye Ebelts participation in NASAs Microgravity eXperience. The newsletter is
available online at: www.capnhq.gov/news/Documents/AE_Newsletter_Spring_2012_web.pdf
Newly published or revised versions of: CAPR 50-17, CAP Senior Member Professional Development
Program; CAPR 76-1, Civil Air Patrol Member Movement via Military Aircraft; and CAPR 77-1, Operation
and Maintenance are now available online
Montana Wing now has a policy on official and unofficial use of social media by wing units and by
individuals. Having been signed by Col Cahalen, the document is undergoing administrative processing before
distribution. The policy document will be distributed to the wing in the near future
The article titled Take Off With Aviation Education published in the March-April Wing eNewsletter
was picked up by Montana Aeronautics Division and was their lead item in the April issue of Montana and the
Sky e-magazine. Both articles feature Lt Col Kaye Ebelt, Wing Director of Aerospace Education. The emagazine also had an obituary for Colonel (Ret.) Mark Radcliffe, MTWG member Bob Radcliffe's father.
Montana and the Sky can be viewed at: www.mdt.mt.gov/publications/newsletters/aeronews.shtml.
Follow-up: An article about her involvement with NASAs Microgravity eXperience is on NHQs Facebook
Effective Wednesday, 11 April 2012, all web servers, located at the CAP National Technology Center
have been relocated to CAP NHQ. The web addresses have changed as follows: https://missions.cap.af.mil/is
now https://missions.capnhq.gov and https://tests.cap.af.mil/ is now https://tests.capnhq.gov. All pages at
https://ntc.cap.af.mil/ have moved to https://missions.capnhq.gov/ except the Communications pages. The
Communications pages are at https://comm.capnhq.gov/. To locate the application you were attempting to
access, replace the domain portion of the address with the applicable replacement domain listed above. As an
example, if you we trying to access WMIRS, replace the missions.cap.af.mil with missions.capnhq.gov so the
URL appears as https://missions.capnhq.gov/login.cfm and then update your bookmarks
Attention all Wing members that work with cadets - There will be a Training Leaders of Cadets (TLC)
course in Plains on the 5th of May. Current regulations require at least one senior member be current in TLC to
be able to supervise cadets. The regulations will probably be updated to read ALL seniors that work with cadets
will need to be TLC qualified. Please notify Lt Col Paul Goedert at peterfox1@yahoo.com if you would like to
attend the 5 May course. Sign in is at 0730/05May. Several motels in town have reasonable rates. The uniform

will be corporate casual (polo shirts). This course is primarily for those on the west side. There will be another
TLC course to be held in Bozeman later on, probably in September. Contact our new DCP Capt Tim Schober at
timothy.schober@gmail.com if you are interested in attending the September TLC course

General Carr is looking for qualified members to fill four important National Staff volunteer positions:
Personnel Officer - assists with the planning and successful implementation of their goals and vision
for all personnel and membership matters.
Marketing and Public Affairs Officer - assists with the planning and successful implementation of
their goals and vision for CAP's marketing and public affairs programs.
Recruiting and Retention Officer - assists with the planning and successful implementation of the
goals and vision for recruiting and retention of all categories of membership.
Home School Development Officer - a new position that assists with the national level promotion of
CAPs youth development programs to the home school community.
Commanders, please ensure this receives the widest possible dissemination so that anyone interested in serving
in these positions has an opportunity to apply. Senior members interested in serving in any of these positions
may complete the National Staff Application Form and return it to Ms Susan Parker at National Headquarters,
sparker@capnhq.gov or fax 334-953-4262. Applications for these positions must be received by 14 May 2012.
If you have any questions or need additional information please feel free to contact me 877-227-9142 Ext 212
The newly revised CAPR- 60-1, CAP Flight Management, dated 16 April 2012, has been released and is
available at: www.capmembers.com/media/cms/R060_001_132EEB0197465.pdf
The newly revised CAPR- 190-1, Civil Air Patrol Public affairs Program, dated 16 April 2012, has
been released and is available at: www.capmembers.com/media/cms/R190_001_70FAF7B447A02.pdf
Google Alert Civil Air Patrol: CAPs rich and colorful register of region, group and squadron patches
over its seven decades of existence is the subject of a book compiled by Senior Member Roger LaShomb of
National Headquarters National Patron Squadron. Civil Air Patrol Patches Past and Present, 2011 consists of
115 spiral-bound pages on quality paper featuring full-color photos of more than 600 patches, of which 490 are
from regions, groups and squadrons. The sections are listed alphabetically by wing and then numerically by
unit. All 52 wings are represented. He continues to seek out more CAP patches, noting in the introduction that
his compendiums contents is a far cry from the true number of CAP patches that are out there and that my
hopes are to get several hundred more patches and produce another version of this book. Hes also interested in
buying or trading for such CAP items as pins, letterheads and certificates. Copies of the book are available from
LaShomb for $23 and a new or used region, group, squadron or activity (encampment, drill team and the like)
patch. Without the patch, the cost is $28. Both prices payable by check or money order -- include postage and
insurance. Orders should go to: Roger LaShomb, 1592 County Route 38, Norfolk, NY 13667. LaShomb can
also be contacted at flashor2@twcny.rr.com
Source: www.capvolunteernow.com/news/?member_collects_publishes_photos_of_600_cap_patches&show=news&newsID=12879

Google Alert Civil Air Patrol: California employers with more than 15 employees must provide
employees with up to 10 days of leave per year for Civil Air Patrol duty.[Apparently there is a bill before the
California Assembly. However, to read the entire article one must register with the California Assembly]
Source: www.calchamber.com/hrcalifornia/hr-library/leaves-of-absence/volunteer-civil-service-leave/pages/civil-air-patrol-leave.aspx

Google Alert Civil Air Patrol: Wisconsin Wings Southeast Group recently received a $1,000 donation
from the Green Bay Packers organization. The funds are designated by the Packers organization to be used for
cadet scholarships. The donation has been divided between the Southeast Groups five squadrons
Source: http://wicap.us/?p=1250

 Google Alert Civil Air Patrol: Members of Civil Air Patrols Texas and Louisiana wings will participate May 2-9 in a training scenario involving a hurricane striking Texas from the Gulf of Mexico one stage of
the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command Ardent Sentry 12 homeland
security and disaster response exercise. In the Texas-based scenario, the hurricane first makes landfall near
Brownsville, blows back out into the Gulf, then hits the upper Texas coast wreaking major damage to infrastructure. The area command post will be staffed by members from National Headquarters, Southwest Region
and Texas Wing staff in Denton, TX. Incident command posts will operate in Houston and San Antonio and in
Alexandria, LA. Elsewhere, Ardent Sentry 12 will include field training events in Alaska, Connecticut, North
Dakota, Oregon and Nova Scotia, Canada, involving U.S. and Canadian military units and responses to such
simulated disasters as a nuclear weapons incident at an Air Force base and an air crash in a remote area, as well
as other weather-related calamities. Ardent Sentry is held annually to sharpen the readiness skills of local, state
and national organizations in responding to national-level emergencies, including natural disasters and terrorism
incidents. The Civil Air Patrol regularly takes part in Ardent Sentry and other homeland security and disaster
response exercises across the nation, assisting local, state and national organizations with crisis and terrorism
preparedness. Most recently, CAP participated March 28-29 in Operation Falcon Virgo, an airborne intercept
mission conducted over Washington, D.C., to test the Air Force's threat-intercept procedures
Source: http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000042833

IAW CAPR 35-5, para 1-10a, Colonel Cahalen has made the decision to institute the Wing Promotions
Board for all promotion approvals in the MTWG. It is recognized that Duty Assignment Promotions can be put
directly into eServices by a promoting authority, but for at least the next year or so he wishes all promotions be
reviewed and recorded in wing records. The Promotion Board will be comprised of the Director of Professional
Development, Chairman, the Wing Chief of Staff, the Director of Personnel and the Director of Public Affairs.
The wing Vice Commander will be a non-voting member to advise the command. All board members are by
position and as changes occur, board membership will change as well. A policy letter will be drafted, signed
and published in the next 30 days. Personnel Authorizations will not be required since the membership is by
Duty Assignment and the listings in eServices or the CAPF 2a for member Duty Assignment will cover board
membership. Please review CAPR 35-5 for information regarding all promotion criteria and approving authority
identification. Please forward any questions to Lt Col Lynch (chucklynch.capmtnw@gmail.com, 406-546-0642)
for review and answer. In the interim, commanders are requested to follow this procedure:
Duty Performance Promotions: an email to Director of Professional Development, Lt Col Chuck Statum
(chuck49@bresnan.net), listing the criteria met for a duty assignment promotion for Second and First Lieutenant
only. A completed CAPF-2 isnt required but it is advised to complete a CAPF-2 for placement in the member's
personnel file until such time as CAP goes totally electronic for personnel records.
All other Promotion Categories: Complete and sign a CAPF-2, scan and email it to Lt Col Statum for
review by the Wing Promotions Board. Upon the boards recommendation, approval/s by the commander/s will
be secured, and the Director of Personnel will forward the CAPF-2 to NHQ for processing.
The CAP Materials program within eServices has a new name: Material Orders. Please be aware of this
new change and the program's new location on the eServices homepage

As of 23 April, the Cadet Promotions Admin module is no longer available to units. It was introduced
several years ago as a means for units to "catch up" cadet records that were being transferred from paper to online. For assistance with cadet records contact Ms Sharon Jackson, Cadet Registrar (sjackson@capnhq.gov)

23 April was the release date for the Driver's License Module on eServices. The application is in My
Operations Qualifications-> Driver's License module (CAP Utilities) or in Operations-Qualifications ->Driver's License module (Restricted Application). Familiarize yourself with the Driver's License Module
Instructions. Feedback on the new module is requested

 Google Alert - Civil Air Patrol: The 1999 Company in Japan sells a 1/48 scale plastic model Cessna-150
in former Civil Air Patrol colors. The Minicraft Model Kit (Item Code: MC11667) costs about $50 and can be
ordered online from the 1999 Companys website: www.1999.co.jp/10184608
Google Alert Civil air Patrol: Vintage CAP plane gets new lease on life, by Kristi Carr, Contributing
Writer, 24 April 2012, CAP online VolunteerNow. [Note: Ive edited the text to shorten it. The full article and
photos can be viewed by clicking on the source listed at the bottom of the text.]
Not every embodiment of Civil Air Patrols legacy of service during World War II is flesh and bone; some are
bolts and wires and dials. A prime example is the 1938 Aeronca 50C being refurbished near Atlanta, considered
by its restorers and owner to be the oldest plane of its kind to see CAP service. The aircraft's original owner
flew it out of Coastal Patrol Base 1 in Atlantic City, N.J., during World War II.
The aircraft, CAP acronym still faintly visible on its skin, was in a Florida barn when Larry Bishop first saw
it in the early 1990s. He drove to Florida, where he loaded the plane onto a flatbed and transported it to his
home in Norcross, Ga. There, he disassembled the Aeronca in his garage. For 20 years, that was as far as he got.
Early last year Bishop was at loose ends. So the vintage Aeronca was moved to Barnstormers Workshop at the
Peachstate Aerodrome next to a grass airfield in Williamson, just south of Atlanta. Barnstormer's owner David
Harwell has been in the business of restoring classic and antique craft for 30 some years. As with most older
planes, there is simply not a lot of printed information on them to provide clues about design. And with this
plane in particular, we had to figure out what went where when we werent the ones who had taken it apart.
Harwells staff turned to copies of original factory brochures and information Bishop had been collecting over
the 20 years he had the plane in storage. The restorers also got a lot of practical help from the New England Air
Museum at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Conn.
We took the plane down to every nut and bolt, said Harwell, The original spars had to be replaced with new
ones crafted from spruce, and new wood stringers were fabricated for the fuselage and installed. The original
fuselage itself was sandblasted and checked for corrosion and other damage. The wood propeller is new. New
was substituted for old only when necessary to maintain the planes safety and integrity. Original parts were
restored where possible or replaced with vintage duplicates. Right now the hunt is on for a vintage three-in-one
engine gauge. The planes skin, which now awaits only the application of the CAP insignia and the planes tail
number, NC211361, which has never changed, underwent repeated sandings between numerous coats of primer
and paint. After about a year in the refurbishment process, the Aeronca should be ready for a test flight within
the next few weeks. Once refurbishment is complete and the plane proven to be flight-worthy, Bishop hopes to
display it in late July at EAA Airventure Oshkosh in Wisconsin.
According to Bishop's extensive files, the plane was built in Cincinnati and its original owner was Maj. Peter J.
Sones, who flew it out of CAP Coastal Patrol Base 1 in Atlantic City, N.J., during World War II. Sones, whose
son recalled his fathers service in Louis E. Keefer's From Maine to Mexico: With America's Private Pilots in
the Fight Against Nazi U-Boats, later served as commander of Coastal Patrol Base 13 in Sarasota, Fla. Because
the plane is designed to carry two people, Bishop doubted the Aeronca ever carried a bomb during World War
II, when CAP aircrews were hunting enemy submarines. Instead, he thought the more likely cargo would have
been a transmitter and trailing antenna to call in the position of any submarine sightings.
Source: http://www.capvolunteernow.com/todays-features/?reborn_vintage_cap_plane_gets_new_lease_on_life&show=news&newsID=12924

NON-CAP CLASSIC 1938 AERONCA 50C

STAFF NOTES
ASK THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
Lt Col Karen Semple, CAP, MTWG/IG
Q: What grading standard does the IG use to determine Subordinate Unit Inspection (SUI) grades? How do
you decide if something learned during an inspection is a Finding?
A: Contained in the beginning pages of each SUI report is a single page where grading is explained. Here are
the rating definitions:
Highly Successful (H): Performance or operation exceeds mission requirements. Procedures and activities are
carried out in a superior manner. Resources and programs are very efficiently managed and relatively free of
deficiencies and existing deficiencies do not impede or limit mission accomplishment.
Successful (S): Performance or operation meets mission requirements. Procedures and activities are carried
out in an effective and competent manner. Resources and programs are efficiently managed. Minor
deficiencies may exist, but do not impede or limit mission accomplishment.
Marginally Successful (M): Performance or operation does not meet some mission requirements. Procedures
and activities are not carried out in an efficient manner. Resources and programs are not efficiently managed.
Deficiencies exist that impede or limit mission accomplishment.
Unsatisfactory (U): Performance or operation does not meet mission requirements. Procedures and activities
are not carried out in an adequate manner. Resources and programs are not adequately managed. Significant
deficiencies exist that preclude or seriously limit mission accomplishment or endanger personnel or resources.
The SUI Team will use a grading matrix developed by NHQ to arrive at objective grades for each position and
an overall grade for the unit. This will be briefed to the unit after the Team works together to determine the
grades on the day of the inspection. The squadron commander is the only one required to attend this postinspection briefing; however, any unit member inspected is welcome to attend if they wish.
If you need assistance understanding a regulation relating to your specialty track, you can ask your mentor (if
you have one), your unit commander, and you can reach out directly to your counterpart on wing staff for
mentoring its their job to advise, assist and oversee your position. Once youre assigned in a specialty
track/duty assignment, you can contact that counterpart on wing staff to get training. To be assigned to wing
staff, CAP members should be qualified in that specialty track and have solid experience working in that
specialty track wing staff members are a great resource for units! Use them! Its a part of their job to help you!
The regulations with which you must comply are listed in the SUI Guide checklist so you can look up all
references for the relevant inspection items and understand what the question is asking.
Please dont take the inspection questions at face value without reading the regulatory references which explain
what the question is asking! Not reading the references before answering the inspection items is a recipe for
disappointment and dismay during your inspection interview.
Next month, well look at the definitions for the specific evaluation terms that may be found in an SUI Report:
Area of Concern, Benchmark, Commendable and Finding.
Until then, if you have any comments or questions about the information in this months article, please feel free
to contact me at: IG@mtwg-cap.us

WING MEDICAL OFFICERS NEWSLETTER

Dr. Sharon A. Nichols, Maj, CAP, MTWG/HS
Lets Get Moving - Last month we discussed the parts of an exercise program. Now, you may be asking yourself, just how do I get started? Im glad you asked. Exercise should be enjoyable. It should not be a dreaded
chore but a part of your everyday routine. Most people actually feel better once they exercise regularly. There
are ways to integrate exercise into your everyday life. First, dont park so close to the entrance when you go
shopping. Jockeying for a spot close to the door isnt healthy. Park further away and enjoy the walk! Secondly,
take the stairs instead of an elevator. I know its extra work but the more you do it the easier it becomes! If its
possible, walk or bicycle to work. The extra time it takes is worth it. Your heart will be happy with you.
Its best to be observant of your body when you begin exercise. Be aware of the danger signals your body may
send you. These include:
Pain or pressure in the chest, arms, throat, jaw or back
Nausea or vomiting during or after exercise
Palpitations or fluttering in the chest during or after exercise
Sudden sustained rapid heartbeats during or after exercise
Extreme shortness of breath
Dizziness, lightheadedness or feeling like youre going to faint during or just after exercise
Extreme weakness or fatigue after exercise
Joint or muscle pain which does not resolve after exercise
If you feel any of the above, consult with your primary health care provider for further instruction. Although the
above symptoms may turn out to be benign, they may represent underlying heart or lung disease and must be
evaluated. Dont make the mistake of just ignoring them in hopes they will go away. If you are experiencing
any of the above, consult with your primary care provider before continuing in your exercise program.
Use common sense in your exercise regimen. Hydration is key! If you are thirsty, youre already dehydrated!
Extremes of temperature are not good to exercise in. In cooler weather, layers are important. You can always
remove excess clothing as you warm up. Supportive, well-fitting shoes are a must! When shoes show signs of
wear like cracking, shoe separation from the sole, they must be replaced. Your feet are important. You cant
exercise appropriately in ill- fitting, damaged shoes.
Make exercise an integral part of your life! Youll be glad you did!

WING SAFETY OFFICERS BULLETIN

Capt Steven Potratz, CAP, MTWG/HS

Summer time brings warm weather, floating, flying, hiking, camping, and all types of fun outdoor activities.
Remember that a little planning can go a long way to making your activity end as fun as it started. Use your
Operational Risk Management (ORM) skills to make sure you prepare for the conditions you will (or might)
encounter so that everyone comes home safe.
FAA Safety Program - I'd like to encourage all of you, especially those of you with flight crew qualifications, to
check out the FAA Wings Safety program at http://www.faasafety.gov/. It has great material and will count for
your required monthly safety education.

CAP Form 26 or FAA Form 8740-5 are great ways to suggest safety improvements or report a hazard. You can
find CAPF-26 here: http://www.capmembers.com/forms_publications__regulations/forms/ and I welcome any
suggestions you have. Commanders and squadron Safety Officers its a great idea to annually show this form
to your units so members know where to find them and how to fill them out. They can be submitted to any unit
Commander or Safety Officer and then sent up the chain.
With the fleeing of winter comes better weather for flying. I'd like to encourage all pilots to participate in the
FAA Pilot Proficiency Program found here: https://www.faasafety.gov/wings/pppinfo/. This is a great way to
expand your education as a pilot and become safer in what you enjoy.

SQUADRON HIGHLIGHTS
BEARTOOTH COMPOSITE SQUADRON (MT-008, BILLINGS)
(Items Submitted by Capt Bruce Kipp)
On 5 April, Capt Kipp participated in PREPARE 2012, the annual emergency response exercise held by
RiverStone Health (Yellowstone Countys Public Health Agency). The scenario for this Point of Dispensing
(POD) exercise was a terrorist anthrax attack. Under federal rules the population of Yellowstone County must
be medicated within 48 hours of the alert. Subtracting transit time for the supplies from the national stockpile to
Billings there are only 16-18 hours in which to medicate everyone. With six PODs for the public in Billings in
operation each POD must medicate about 960 people per hour. There are also closed PODs that serve specific
clients. Personnel from Billings Clinic and St. Vincents Healthcare, as well as local and state law enforcement,
firefighters, county and state emergency services, public works, community outreach groups, large industrial
complexes and volunteer organizations gathered at Laurel Middle School, a POD in an county-wide medical
emergency. After a briefing and a POD operations video the POD staff performed triage on volunteers who then
proceeded through the prophylaxis dispensing process
Congratulations to SM Paul Bledsoe and Cadet Colton McCleary on joining CAP and welcome to our
squadron!
MALMSTROM COMPOSITE SQUADRON (MT-012, GREAT FALLS)
(No items submitted for this issue)
MISSOULA COMPOSITE SQUADRON (MT-018, MISSOULA)
(No items submitted for this issue)
BUTTE COMPOSITE SQUADRON (MT-031, BUTTE)
(Items and photo submitted by Lt Col Bowden, clip-art by Lt Col Bowden and Capt Kipp)
Butte Composite Squadron cadets provided the Color Guard at a recent Naturalization
Ceremony. This ceremony occurs bi-annually in Federal Court in Butte and the cadets
have had the honor of presenting and retiring the colors at the ceremony for three years.
This was a milestone for the unit, as it was the sixth time the Color Guard assisted in
the proceedings. Previously, the VFW provided the color guard. When Mrs. Gail Fish
of the VFW Auxiliary saw the squadrons Color Guard at the annual squadron awards
banquet, she suggested the cadets take over this duty. Mrs. Fish said: "I am so proud of these young people.
They do a great job." At this ceremony, 19 people from 14 countries became U.S. citizens.
The Honorable John L. Peterson, the presiding judge for the ceremony, takes time for a photo with the guard. From left to right, C/Amn
Dawson Cromier, C/TSgt. Erik Eichner, C/SSgt. Travis Tenold, and C/Amn Colin Crase.

Cadet Noncommissioned Officer Promotions:

Congratulations to Cadet Erik Eichner and Cadet William Cheman on promotion to the rank of Cadet
Master Sergeant and receipt of the Charles Lindbergh Award!

Cadet Airman Promotions:

Congratulations to Cadets Jessica Beck, Bill Craig and Jeffery Cronk on their promotion to the rank
of Cadet Airman and receipt of the Curry Award!

BIG SKY COMPOSITE SQUADRON (BOZEMAN, MT-037)

(SAREX item/photos submitted by SM Mayville, other items by 1st Lt Gilchrist and C/MSgt Schultz)
On 14 April, the Big Sky Composite Squadron hosted the April Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX)
at Three Forks Municipal Airport. CAP aircraft flew in from Bozeman, Missoula, Great Falls and Lewistown.
Cadets and senior members from units in Livingston, Bozeman, Butte, Great Falls, Missoula, Plains, Billings,
Lewistown and Helena also came to participate. The expected inclement weather failed to appear rendering a
beautiful crisp spring day that was perfect for air operations and ground team exercises.
Incident Commander (IC) Lt Col Pete Graff began the SAREX with a briefing on the scenario that envisioned a
catastrophic leak of toxic chlorine gas necessitating an evacuation of Bozeman. CAP aircraft were directed to
photograph and give verbal volume-of-traffic reports on evacuation routes and identify potential choke points.
Two ground search and rescue teams meanwhile were called out for an exercise involving a downed aircraft at
the airport. They were tasked with securing the crash site, extricating and stabilizing the victims and evacuating
them to a safe location. Later in the afternoon a signal from a hidden aircraft Emergency Location Transmitter
(ELT) simulator required deployment of air assets and Ground Team-1 and Ground Team-2 on a joint mission
to locate the ELT in an urban environment.
Jess Antonio, a reporter from NBC-affiliate KTVM News, came to the Incident Command Post to learn about
CAP for an upcoming news item that will feature CAP. He spent the morning filming the cadets in action at the
crash site and interviewing C/2nd Lt Navarro and senior members Lt Col Graff, Lt Col Teel, Capt Potratz, and
2nd Lt Troth. The interviews went well leaving Mr. Antonio thoroughly impressed with Civil Air Patrol and its
mission but mostly its people. KTVM will also be at the May SAREX. Follow-Up: The following are excerpts
of an email Mr. Antonio sent on 24 April: we just found out yesterday that our news director wants this as the
first sweeps story of the sweeps period. Cleary he can tell it's going to be a great story and wanted to start with
something strong and interesting. With that in mind, I found out that the story is going to air this Thursday,
April 26th at 10 PM, on both our Missoula and Bozeman station [It Did]. Additionally, the video and story will
be available to view any time on our website, nbcmontana.com. I wish I could have gone out or sent out
another reporter for the aerial views, but I have a ton of great footage and interviews. It was very hard to
narrow it down to what I have, but I think you guys will really enjoy what I've put together. I want to thank
you all so much for the opportunity to come out and see what you all do. I was treated with nothing but respect
and got to meet a number of great people who I feel very confident in when they are called upon.
This months SAREX was an excellent opportunity to increase knowledge and hone skills as professionals in
the service of our communities. Lt Col Teel was complimentary to the Incident Command staff and especially
the ground teams for their professionalism in the field. Each cadet can be proud of their participation.

Big Sky Composite Squadron would like to thank everyone who came from out of town to participate in the
SAREX. Thank you also to 1st Lt Linda Godfrey for providing food and beverages and making sure we were
well fed and hydrated. We look forward to seeing the squadrons come together next month for more training.

On April 19th, Montana Aeronautics Division received a call from the Air Force Rescue Coordination
Center, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, that an active Electronic Location Transmitter (ELT) signal had been
detected north of Billings. After Montana Aeronautics determined the beacon to be in an urban environment
CAP was notified and tasked with locating and de-activating it.
One aircraft was launched out of Bozeman and one Ground Team was dispatched by the Beartooth Composite
Squadron in Billings. Upon arriving in the area the aircraft quickly located the approximate area of the ELT and
lead the ground crews into the area. At 6pm a call was made from the Billings ground team to the Bozeman
team requesting additional assistance due to the difficulty of the task. The Bozeman team was dispatched by the
Incident Commander Bob Burns at 6:30pm and was on the road by 7:30pm. The Bozeman and Billings team
began their final search with a police escort at 10:15pm and the ELT was located within 10 minutes. The ELT
was in a glider in a travel trailer in the garage of a home near the Billings County Club.

UDF TEAMS AT THE OWNERS GARAGE

THE OWNER ACCESSING THE GLIDER

SILENCING THE ELT

The Big Sky Composite Squadron Ground Teams leader Capt Timothy Schober stated: This was an excellent
exercise of the relatively typical false alarm ELT. Generally the person responsible is very cooperative, as in
this case; law enforcement is generally very cooperative, as was the officer we had. This is a very good example
of what you can expect on 95% of your ELT searches. The Montana Wing CAP is now credited by two ELT
finds this year both of which were accidental activations.

Change of Command Ceremony: Captain Tim Schober relinquishes command as

the Deputy Commander for Cadets of the Big Sky Squadron to become the fulltime Director of Cadet Programs for Montana Wing. Under Captain Schobers
leadership the corps of cadet at the Big Sky Composite Squadron has grown to
more than 60. In the photo, Capt Schober passes the squadron guidon to Maj Bob
Radcliffe, Squadron Commander, symbolizing transfer of authority. Observing is
Capt Steven Potratz, an unidentified female cadet, and the new squadron Deputy
Commander for Cadets, 2nd Lt Kevin Barrett (in civilian attire)
Young Students Learn Compass Navigation: The homeschool association in Gallatin County has been
conducting once a week organized classes in the Evangelical Free church in Bozeman. These classes focus on
regular school topics as well as different external interests. This last spring the association focused on outdoor
activities. The younger group of students, age 10-12, was taught from a list of numerous useful skills such as:
compass use, cooking, first aid, gutting and filleting fish, star navigation, map reading, pottery, wild medicinal
plants, and wild edibles. The Big Sky Composite Squadron was invited to instruct compass use and orienteering
for the homeschool associations last organized school day of the year. Four members of the squadron, Captain
Timothy Schober, First Lieutenant Spencer Gilchrist, Second Lieutenant Austin Troth, and Cadet Second Lieutenant Zachary Shultz, all took groups of students out into the parking lot and taught them how to navigate to
points using a compass and even how to find where they are on a map using a compass. The students were so
quick to pick up the orienteering skills that during the excess time the class got an introduction on how we find
emergency distress beacons. A beacon was planted in the field and students used a handheld radio to hear the
beacon and point in the direction of the signal. The squadrons emergency services outreach program will
continue into the next year and we hope to add the Montana 4-H program as part of our outreach. The squadron
may soon develop plans to open its external aerospace program with the homeschool program during the next
homeschool year. If successful it will be the first external aerospace program in the squadrons history

YOUNG STUDENTS LEARN COMPASS NAVIGATION

In March, Lieutenants Gilchrist and Troth took

a group of cadets out to Hyalite Canyon near
Bozeman for ground team training, a specialty
of the Big Sky Squadron. The cadets learned a
great deal on the methodology for conducting
a ground search and rescue mission, the skills
needed by ground team members and they
gained a wealth of hits, tips and suggestions
from their very experienced instructors.
(Left to Right ) 1st Lt Gilchrist, C/Amn Molly Hansen,
C/MSgt Shields, 2nd Lt Troth, C/2nd Lt Shultz,C/Amn
Baldwin, C/Amn Abigail Hansen, C/Amn Shultz

Senior Member Promotion:

Congratulations to Linda Godfrey on her promotion to the rank of First Lieutenant. C/MSgt
Kasey Shultz, Cadet PAO for Big Sky Squadron writes: She is a wonderful Senior Member.
She is loved by all; throughout all her experiences in C.A.P. nurturing, and feeding all of the
cadets, she has been nicknamed "Mama Bear"

Cadet Officer Promotion:

Congratulations to Cadet Jared McGuire who earned the General Billy Mitchell Award and
promotion to the rank of Cadet Second Lieutenant!

Cadet Noncommissioned Officer Promotions:

Congratulations to Cadet Marie Druckenmiller on her promotion to the rank of Cadet Chief
Master Sergeant and receipt of the Goddard Award!

Congratulations to Cadet Brandon Munkers on his promotion to the rank of Cadet Senior
Master Sergeant and receipt of the Doolittle Award!

Congratulations to Cadet Connor Potratz on his promotion to the rank of Cadet Master
Sergeant and receipt of the Lindbergh Award!

Congratulations to James Linabary for his promotion to the rank of Cadet Staff Sergeant
and receipt of the Wright Brothers Award!

FLATHEAD COMPOSITE SQUADRON (MT-053, KALISPELL)

(Items Submitted by 2nd Lt Dale Rodwick, clip-art by Capt Kipp)
The squadron meeting on 5 April afforded everyone with an insightful night of Drug Demand Reduction
Education presented by Becky Sturdevant. The cadets saw for themselves the horrible reality of addiction as she
took them through the illegal drugs and their deadly results, as well as for prescription drug abuse. The effect of

alcohol abuse was made crystal clear by a bone chilling conclusion that focused the evenings talk on a personal
event that rocked the world of our presenter. The squadron expresses its sincere appreciation to Becky
The long wait for our squadrons airplane may finally come to an end this April. Maj Lee Sturdevant
and Lt Col David McGavock will be bringing her home to Kalispell. The O-Ride line is already forming!

Look for our squadron on the web at www.flatheadcompositesqdn.com

Senior Member Promotions:

Congratulations to SM Stephanie-Coleen Timmins for completing the requirements for Level I of the
CAP Senior Member Professional Development Program. In recognition thereof she was promoted to
the rank of Second Lieutenant in April
Senior Member Professional Development:
Congratulations to 1st Lt Christopher Peterson and 1st Lt Maureen Rickard for completing the Officer
Basic Course of the CAP Senior Member Professional Development Program in April
Squadron Kudos:
Maj Frank Fantino traveled to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada to attend the Region Staff College 21-27
April. The program was hosted by the CAP Pacific Region
C/1st Lt Christopher Rodwick was awarded Squadron Cadet Officer of the Month for April

C/A1C Eric Cunningham clinched the top honors for Cadet of the Month

We would like to extend a hearty welcome to Justin Ramey, Sarah Peterson, Tyeler Dana and Dakota
Boggs all new C/AB members. Thanks for making the Flathead Composite Squadron your choice for
all things CAP!
LEWIS & CLARK COMPOSITE SQUADRON (MT-060, HELENA)
(No items submitted for this issue)
THUNDERBIRD MOUNTAIN COMPOSITE SQUADRON (MT-067, PLAINS)
(Item submitted by SM Joe Santucci)
Thunderbird Mountain Composite Squadron extends a hearty welcome to Samuel Blyer, Jr. With the
goal of becoming a pilot, Sam is looking forward to his first orientation flight aboard a CAP aircraft

 Retired U.S. Army Colonel Mark Radcliffe, 94, passed away Sunday, 1 April. He was the father of wellknown Montana Wing senior member and pilot Major Bob Radcliffe.
Col Radcliffe was born in Farmington, N.M., in 1918. He entered the Army as a young man and was stationed
in Hawaii when Pearl Harbor was bombed by the Japanese on Dec. 7, 1941. After he graduated from Officers
Candidate School in July 1942 he volunteered for Project Plough, a mission to parachute into German-held
Norway, as a member of the First Special Service Force (FSSF), a joint U.S.-Canadian commando unit based at
Fort Harrison, near Helena. Project Plough was ultimately called off, but after a year of intensive training the
elite unit was ready for combat.
In August 1943, the FSSF sailed for the Aleutian Islands as part of the invasion force of the island of Kiska but,
after discovering the island had been evacuated by Japanese forces, the unit briefly returned to the U.S. before
being shipped to Italy where it arrived in November 1943. In February 1944, the FSSF took part in the Allied
landings at Anzio on Italys western coast south of Rome. At Anzio the Germans dubbed the FSSF the "Devil's
Brigade" because the members smeared their faces with black boot polish or burnt cork for their covert night
operations. On patrol on the beachhead of Anzio, Captain Radcliffe was captured but managed to escape.
Traveling at night, it took him three days get back to his unit, during which time he was hit by mortar shrapnel.
After a stint in the hospital, Radcliffe was assigned to lead an independent reconnaissance mission that was part
of the retaking of Rome. At 0600 on 4 June 1944, Captain Radcliffes patrol entered Rome, a half-hour ahead of
any other Allied unit. After moving back to the Salerno, the FSSF prepared for the invasion of southern France
in August 1944. With no further need for their unique talents the FSSF was disbanded on 5 December 1944. By
wars end, Captain Radcliffe had earned the Silver Star, six Bronze Stars and three Purple Hearts.
Mark Radcliffe raised son Bob and daughter Carolyn with his wife, Edith. He remained in the Army Reserve,
retiring as a full colonel. He traveled to Fort Bragg, North Carolina on numerous occasions while spearheading
the high-altitude training facility for the Special Forces operations at Fort Harrison, and also helped start the
military museum at the Helena fort. Dad was just a soldier through and through, Bob Radcliffe said.
Sources: Curt Synness, Helena Independent Record, Tuesday, April 3, 2012; Flint Whitlock, World War II magazine, January 2000;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Plough#Background

Long-time Montana Wing CAP member and pilot Hudson Garvin, passed away last Thursday 29, March
2012. Hudson was a USAF Weather Man and for a time provided weather support to covert U-2 reconnaissance
aircraft operations. He retired from Missoulas Weather Service and was an active and conscientious Civil Air
Patrol member, including a number of years as the commander of the Missoula Squadron
A former member of Montana Wing, Captain Russ Westberg, passed away the weekend of 14-15 April.
Russ was the Wing Director of Communications from 2005-2006. He had been enlisted in the U.S. Marine
Corps back in the day, and was an avid ham radio operator

Send me your input for the May - June 2012 Wing eNewsletter