Disaster Relief Missions Continue in ILWG

As record-breaking rainfalls continue to impact many Illinois communities, the requests for CAP resources is also continuing. After closing out a multi-day operation in the Mc Henry County municipality of Algonquin yesterday, today brought a request from the Lake County Emergency Management Agency.

The request was for aerial photography of critical infrastructure and impacted areas county-wide. Areas of concern were identified by the customer agency, and CAP aircrews were assigned those areas throughout the day. Using GIIEP technology and digital photography, CAP was able to assist with  validating the customer's flood model prediction.  The goal was to quantify where flood waters went, or where it is on roadways or shorelines, and to quantify the number of structures for Damage Assessment purposes.

Two aircraft were assigned this mission, and operations concluded for the day at 1600L, with over 500 photos taken and delivered to the customer. Mission staff and air operations were based at ILWG HQ, at DuPage Airport. Incident Commander, Major Andrew Welch, was very pleased with today's product and efforts: "Thank you to all of the dedicated members who responded to assist the Lake County EMA with photographs to assist their damage assessment efforts.  The County EMA director expresses his thanks as well."

ILWG Assists in Flood Relief Efforts

After days of record-breaking rainfall throughout the state of Illinois, many waterways in Northern Illinois were reaching overflow status. Among those was the Fox River and it's tributaries, which led to the first call-out for ILWG CAP resources.

A request for assistance came Thursday, 18 APR, from the Village of Algonquin, located in McHenry County. The request was for assistance in sandbagging operations, and eventually added ground-based assessments on flooded residential areas.

From the time of formal request to the time of first CAP personnel on scene was a little over three hours. Over 25 CAP personnel responded, and were immediately put to work sandbagging critical Public Works infrastructure along the riverfront. Those personnel also worked with village officials from Police and Fire departments to identify the areas most in need of evacuation by those departments. 

This Disaster Relief mission continued through Saturday, 20 APR, when it was finally closed out after the river had crested and municipal workers had shored up all their targeted areas. Personnel from ILWG HQ, 3 Groups and over 6 Squadrons assisted this activity, led through the days by 5 CAP Incident Commanders. The CAP incident command post was set up and running one hour after the initial request, as Incident Commander Lt. Col. Robert Taylor, IL-001, received Algonquin's request for assistance from the National Operations Center. 

A request for resources was sent out, and a forward base at the Village Public Works facility was established with Capt John-Paul Kilanski, IL-282, assigned as ground branch director. As work continued throughout the evening Kilanski  received the Village praises firsthand. "They were only expecting a small group of approximately 5 to 7 members to help. When we showed up with over 20 members, and were able to set up a forward command post  that knew how to work in a multiple jurisdictional relationship using NIMS, they were impressed. I was personally impressed by our members  who went into a community that had no clue of Civil Air Patrol, or our abilities, and showed them in their time of need the professionalism and resources that CAP brings.

Safety was key here also, seeing IC Taylor himself later assume a shift as Mission Safety Officer. "Due to the river's continued rising and additional rain forecast, first priority was the safety of all CAP responders." Later in the evening, Taylor visited the forward base to see firsthand the "can do" attitude all Illinois Wing members, senior and cadet,  exhibited while performing arduous tasks.

Photo credits: Capt Mike Grenz (IL049), Capt Tom DeMaeyer (IL049) and 1st Lt Jim Wresch (IL282)

CY13 Missions Continue in Face of Budget Uncertainties

Even as CAP is dealing with budget and funding issues for the current year, ILWG members are still getting mission work. And the typical ‘season’ of recreational flying and boating has begun with a mission that garnered 2 separate FINDs.

Earlier this week, ILWG was assigned a 406 mhz mission that was originally being handled by the US Coast Guard, where the registry information on the EPIRB had it assigned to a tugboat which had been sold or scrapped previously. The Coast Guard was able to isolate the co-ordinates and rough vicinity at an inland location after a day of DF work. They were, however, unable to acquire the transmitter signal near where the GPS data placed it, so there was concern that the co-ordinates were unreliable.

So, on 04APR at approx 1500L, the ILWG was alerted and an IC was assigned. Multiple ground teams and an aircrew responded to take up the search. After some initial phone calls around the large target area, it was identified that an active beacon was being heard on the ground near Waukegan Airport. Ground teams and an aircraft were dispatched to that location and prosecuted a DF search, ending in a successful non-distress FIND. The aircraft was a privately owned US Navy T2B Buckeye trainer that had been undergoing maintenance.

Silencing that beacon did nothing to effect the 406 beacon, as it was still transmitting from ‘somewhere’. The aircraft left the Waukegan area, and flew directly to the site that the co-ordinates were putting it at, but were only barely able to acquire an intermittent signal. They did note it was adjacent to auto malls and salvage yards that may have been likely spots for boats.

The mission was suspended until first light next morning, where multiple ground members arrived in that general area. At the site where the beacon was ultimately found, the signal was so minimal that it had to be located with a ‘home made’ device by a ground team member! Traditional DF gear couldn’t lock the signal even as close as 300 yards away from where it was, so persistence won this battle.

Major Andrew Welch, one of the IC’s on this “2-for-1” mission had praise for those who responded. “I want to express my thanks for all the dedicated and persistent members, over 20 of them here, who gave up their Friday night and Saturday prosecuting this mission.” The mission closed out at approx 1840L Saturday.

2013 ICE BOWL underway

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 26, 2013

ICE BOWL underway

The Illinois Wing of the Civil Air Patrol has commenced its annual winter Search and Rescue training exercise at locations throughout the state of Illinois.  The activity, which runs from 25-27 January, is dubbed ‘The Ice Bowl’, and works to ensure efficiency in responding to cold weather incidents throughout Illinois.

The mission operation is based in Elgin at Paul Wolff F.P., with satellite locations at Dupage, Moline, and Alton.  From these varied locations, a total of 7 aircraft and over 75 personnel are reinforcing their training through a variety of scenarios, including natural disaster, missing aircraft, missing persons searches, and critical infrastructure photography tasking.

The cold weather training helps to address a number of situations that arise for emergency services personnel.  Cold weather poses certain challenges on aircraft, vehicles, and responders, and can be a factor affecting communications.  This type of ‘train like you fight’ activity, allow CAP responders to gain proficiency when a real life is not in actual danger.  Mission commanders from around Illinois, believe this is critical in a state like Illinois, where weather is often different at opposite ends.  One staffer offered his thoughts during a briefing, “Given the tasking we receive, and the varied weather that may exist at any one time in Illinois, it is important that we are ready to respond anywhere, at anytime in any weather.”

Civil Air Patrol, the official Air Force auxiliary, is a nonprofit organization with almost 62,000 members nationwide.  It performs 95% of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center.  Volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief, and counterdrug missions at the request of federal, state, and local agencies.  The members take a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the almost 27,000 young people currently participating in CAP cadet programs.  CAP has been performing missions for America for 70 years.

Illinois Volunteers Support Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts

 As HURRICANE SANDY relief efforts continue on the eastern seaboard, a number of Illinois volunteers are undertaking support operations to assist federal and state agencies in the aftermath.

From Left: Capt Damon Card (IL049), 1st Lt Gary Brown (IL274), Capt. Mike Grenz (IL049)

And while the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continues to sort through estimating storm impact, and identifying areas in critical need of resources, members of the Illinois Wing of Civil Air Patrol (CAP) are deploying to those areas at FEMA’s request. Currently, these CAP members are involved with aerial photography missions along the East Coast, utilizing state of the art technologies and real-time imaging. They are joined by CAP aircrews from all over the eastern half of the US, with over a dozen aircraft and crews from the Midwest alone.

FOB Concord, NH morning ramp (Capt Grenz IL049)

In what is now the single largest photo reconnaissance mission ever undertaken by the Civil Air Patrol, and one of the largest ever by FEMA, these volunteer aircrews are tasked with photographing the entirety of the coastline. Ranging from New Hampshire through the Carolinas, each CAP aircraft and crew are taking approximately 1500 photos per sortie….or one picture every 5 seconds. These photo flights will then be electronically ‘stitched’ together, making one continuous panoramic photograph.

Map of sorties over NY / NJ (Capt Grenz IL049)

When completed, these photos will enable critical analysis of the affected areas, and help to identify areas in the most urgent need of resources and support. The support can then be prioritized by local, state, and federal agencies in almost ‘real time’.

The CAP members deployed there are all volunteers, many taking time away from local jobs and families to render aid to those still suffering. And while more personnel will be assisting in the weeks ahead, this isn’t the first large-scale relief effort Illinois members have supported. Personnel from across the state have directly supported operations in recent years related to severe Kentucky ice-storms, Mississippi River flooding, Indiana flood relief, Hurricane Katrina, and many others. 

The ILWG members who have deployed recently are:

• Maj Eric Templeton (IL-001)
• Maj Cliff Tamplin (IL-312)
• Capt. Mike Grenz (IL-049)
• Capt Rod Rakic (IL-312)
• Capt Damon Card (IL-049)
• 1st Lt Gary Brown (IL274) 
• 1st Lt Matt Stewart (IL312)

The Illinois Wing commander, Lt. Col. Rick Oeth, knows better than anyone just how committed CAP members are from this state. “I am very pleased that the members of Illinois Wing have responded to the requests for assistance in photographing damaged areas of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, and New Jersey. I am truly fortunate to command a Wing of highly skilled volunteers who have no shortage of dedication or volunteerism”.

2012 Spring Encampment pictures

 The complete picture record of this year's Spring Encampment, taken by the activity PA staff as well as contributors, is now available here.


These photos have been cleared for release by the US Navy, for widest dissemination throughout ILWG Civil Air Patrol.


Many thanks to all who participated this year, as it was a record year for both attendance and activity level.

Chicago TFR coming for NATO

From 1st Air Force:

 

We are here on behalf of the Continental U.S. NORAD Region’s (CONR) commander, Lt Gen Stanley Clarke, to advise our fellow Chicago-area aviators of the upcoming flight restrictions in support of the NATO Summit scheduled for 20-21 May.

The FAA is implementing special airspace control measures to help ensure the safety and security for the NATO Summit.

CONR asks fellow aviators in the Chicago general aviation community to “Check NOTAMs and Fly Informed”.  Aviators should visit www.faa.gov for the latest airspace information.

CONR coordinates all flight operations with local, state, and federal agencies, especially the FAA, to keep all airspace safe and secure from air threats.

CONR has extensive experience protecting special events such as Super Bowls, political conventions, United Nations General Assemblies, SOTUAs and other events as required. 

Though you may not see CONR fighters, they will be on duty during the summit.

CONR possesses well-developed rules of engagement and skilled, dedicated aircrews and we are trained and equipped to execute this mission.

We need your help; please report suspicious air-related activities/persons to your local law enforcement.The help of the general aviation community is essential in getting our message out to our fellow aviators.  Thank you for your support.

1.

Spring Encampment--Week One

The 2012 Spring Encampment kicked off recently at Naval Station Great Lakes / Recruit Training Center. The activity dates this year are 21-23 and 27-29 April at the facility located north of Chicago.

This year has been a record year for attendance,  the first year under command of Major Brian Pokuta. There is a total of 148 personnel, from 30 squadrons located in 7 different CAP Wings, attending this activity. "I'm gratified to see not only veteran encampment staff here this year, but many new, energetic faces. All feedback thus far has been to the effect of what a great experience everyone is having this year", said Pokuta, who is also the Group 22 commander.

 A key factor in the early success of this activity has been the generosity of the USN liaison staff. On their own initiative, they have consistently offered CAP exposure to training drills that are normally reserved for navy recruits only. Additionally, they have expressed that they are impressed with the professionalism and bearing of all the CAP personnel attending this year.

This year's billeting is in the USS Hopper, named for the pioneering US Navy computer scientist, RADM Grace Hopper. Her namesake, the USS Hopper (DDG-70), is one of only 2 ships ever named for a woman from the Navy ranks.


                                                                            

Graduation for this year's Encampment will be on 29 April in the USS Midway hall. Watch here for an update on Week #2 after conclusion of this weekend's schedule.

ILWG Member Receives Recognition

CAP Lt. Col. Lou Wipotnik, an 8-time Master and SAFE member, recently renewed his Master CFI accreditation. Wipotnik is an independent Chicago-area flight instructor who also teaches with Leading Edge Flying Club at Chicago Executive Airport (PWK). The 1996 Nationl CFI of the Year, he is also a FAASTeam representative in the FAA's DuPage FSDO area and serves as the Operations Training Officer at Palwaukee Composite Squadron.

Master Instructors LLC takes great pride in announcing a significant aviation accomplishment on the part of CAP Lt. Col. Lou Wipotnik, the 1996 National CFI of the Year. Recently, Wipotnik's accreditation as a Master CFI was renewed by Master Instructors LLC, the international accrediting authority for Master Instructor designations as well as the FAA-approved Master Instructor Program. He first earned this national professional accreditation in 1998, has held it continuously since then, and is one of only 9 worldwide to earn the credential eight times.

To help put these achievements in their proper perspective, there are approximately 96,000 CFIs in the United States. Fewer than 700 of those aviation educators have achieved that distinction thus far. The last 17 national Flight Instructors of the Year - including Wipotnik - were Master CFIs, while Wipotnik is one of only 15 Illinois teachers of flight to earn this prestigious "Master" title.

In the words of former FAA Administrator Marion Blakey, "The Master Instructor accreditation singles out the best that the right seat has to offer."

The Master Instructor designation is a national accreditation recognized by the FAA. Candidates must demonstrate an ongoing commitment to excellence, professional growth, and service to the aviation community, and must pass a rigorous evaluation by a peer Board of Review. The process parallels the continuing education regimen used by other professionals to enhance their knowledge base while increasing their professionalism. Designees are recognized as outstanding aviation educators for not only their excellence in teaching, but for their engagement in the continuous process of learning -- both their own, and their students'. The designation must be renewed biennially and significantly surpasses the FAA requirements for renewal of the candidate's flight instructor certificate.

For more information about the Master Instructor Program and to locate other Masters, please visit the "Find a Master Instructor" section of www.MasterInstructors.org To learn more about the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE), visit http://SafePilots.org/ The International Aerobatic Club (IAC) can be reached through their website at http://IAC.org/

Illinois Wing Awardees announced

I am very pleased to announce the 2011 Illinois Wing of the Year Awards:

• Maj James Griggs, Illinois Wing PAO of the Year

• 1st Lt Rebecca Tulloch, Illinois Wing AEO of the Year

• C/Capt Keenan Wresch, Illinois Wing Cadet of the Year

• C/Capt Khaled Basrawi, Illinois Wing Cadet Commander of the Year

• Cadet 2d Lt James Elvin, Illinois Wing Cadet NCO of the Year

• Palwaukee Composite Squadron, Illinois Wing Ground Team of the Year

• Capt Deborah Bolden, Illinois Wing Cadet Programs Officer of the Year

• Capt Ron Walerowicz, Illinois Wing Communicator of the Year

• 1st Lt Edward Danley, Illinois Wing Senior of the Year

• Maj Michael Marshall, Illinois Wing Chaplain of the Year

• Capt Mary Jo Connor, Illinois Wing Character Development Instructor of the Year

• Lake in the Hills Composite Squadron, Illinois Wing Squadron of Merit

It should be noted that Lt Col Fred Herschelman (George Texido
Legislative Officer of the Year Award) and Major Susan Wynard (Brewer
Award) were nominated by Illinois Wing and sent to Great Lakes Region
in their respective award categories.

Congratulations to these hard working Illinois Wing members who
exemplify CAP's core values with their service.

--
RICKEY OETH, Col, CAP
Illinois Wing Commander
Civil Air Patrol

Group 22 hosts SLS / CLC

(Photo: Col. Jay Burrell, IL-001)


On 10-11 March, Group 22 sponsored both an SLS and CLC course in Northern Illinois. The activity was held at the US Army Reserve Center in Arlington Heights, IL, and was attended by almost 30 personnel from Northern Illinois.

This was the first time Civil Air Patrol had utilized the facility for training, choosing this as a more accessible location than the tried-and-true Naval Station Great Lakes, where the Group is headquartered. Major Brian Pokuta, Group 22 commander, offered this thought: "In an effort to make these kinds of training activities more accessible to the greater CAP member, we were determined to find a more centralized location within our Area of Responsibility. This location seemed much easier for many members to attend, geographically speaking".

SLS Director, Captain Ron Walerowicz, was pleased with how well the students embraced the weekend training. "Even though the weather was Spring-like outside, I heard many comments on how this training was well worth the time spent indoors. Numerous students commented on how they came away 'recharged' over CAP as a whole, after they completed the weekend".

Instructors attended from all over the Wing, with the goal of ensuring this event was a success. Included in the instructor cadre were two former Illinois Wing Commanders, Colonels Larsen and Burrell, as well as many former and current group and squadron commanders. "The networking opportunities were very plentiful, and it's not everyday you have the access to former Wing commanders....and the benefit of their experiences", commented 1st Lt. Mike Grenz, a CLC student.

Major Pokuta wishes to thank the Staff and students for their professional behavior, and their commitment to building their own professional development.

Spring Encampment Line Staff Announced

Members of Illinois Wing CAP,

It is my honor to officially announce the Line Staff that was selected for this years Illinois Wing Spring Encampment.

Please join me in congratulating them on their being selected!

There is still time to apply as a Basic Cadet!! Basic Cadet Applications Close on 07-Apr so please be sure to visit the Illinois Wing Spring Encampment Website and get going on those applications!!

Application instructions can be found at the website: http://encampment.group22.net/ -- Please click 'How to Apply' to get started..... Hope to see you there!!!

The below have been selected as the Line Staff that will assist the Cadet Exec Staff in mentoring this years class of Basic Cadets:

Advanced Flight Commander

C/Capt Carson Scalf

Squadron Commanders:

C/Capt Keenan Wresch

C/1st Lt Michael Christopher

C/1st Lt Mitchell DeMaeyer

Flight Commanders:

C/Capt Michael Carpenter

C/2d Lt Eric Olsen

C/2d Lt Rageed Basrawi

C/2d Lt Jordan LaMarche

C/2d Lt Delaney Wresch

C/2d Lt Margaret Lippold

Flight Sergeants:

C/CMSgt Jacob Lamers

C/SMSgt Seamus Lucy

C/MSgt Taylor Brandt

C/MSgt Joshua Lambert

C/TSgt Matthew Wallace

C/SSgt Mitchell Shepard

SET

C/Lt Col Grace Leighton

C/CMSgt Kaitlin Stockwell

C/CMSgt Logan Hunter Rathjen

SUPPORT

C/SSgt Vic Nistor

C/SrA Mark Dover

C/SrA Jose David Ramirez

C/A1C Shaun Wood

--
Brian Pokuta Maj, CAP

Commander, Group 22 - Illinois Wing

Commander, Illinois Wing Spring Encampment

email: bpokuta@group22.net

ILWG Communications Special Event

In honor of the 70^th anniversary of the founding of Civil Air Patrol, a special radio net was held in December. It is the only known CAP communications event held recognizing 70 years of Civil Air Patrol.

Comprised of 14 volunteer operators, located around the state of Illinois, the day long activity garnered almost 400 unique radio contacts worldwide. Calls came from around the United States, and also from Japan, Bermuda, Mexico, and Canada. Those who sent a SASE were sent a commemorative CAP 'QSL card', which is a radio commemorative event postcard. That card featured a vintage photo of a CAP communication team from the 1950’s (above). Some participating members in the exercise honored the day by posing in a similar fashion for a photo (below). From left are Col. Maurice Givens, Capt. Ron Walerowicz, and Major Jim Bartel.

CAP amateur radio operators who participated were:

• Col. Maurice Givens,N9DC
• Col. Steve Peters, W9KXT
• Lt. Col. Ted Lohr, N9WDS
• Lt. Col. Constance Kelly, AC9CK
• Major Jim Bartel, N9NWU
• Major David Picek, KC9EAU
• Major Robert Becker, N9JCR
• Major Jerry Scherer, KC9LYO
• Major John Brendel, KC9PTF
• Capt. Ron Walerowicz K9SX
• Capt. Joe Schroeder, W9JUV
• Capt. Matt Brown, KC9UJC
• 1^st Lt. Lee French, N9YHO
• 1^st Lt. Michael Petz, KA9HNT

These members, who are all amateur radio operators, are members of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). An upcoming article on the event is to be published in the ARRL's "QST Magazine", located at http://www.arrl.org/qst

ICE BOWL Exercise a Success!

ILWG's annual cold-weather training exercise, dubbed the "ICE BOWL", took place 27-29 January at locations around the state.

Personnel participated in the exercise through air and ground sorties at locations near Elgin, Moline, Alton, Bloomington, and West Chicago. The goal of the activity was to familiarize responders to the weather-related issues that often complicate the mission environment. Additionally, this served as a good opportunity to work on air-to-ground coordination, and also serve as a 'ramp up' to the March-scheduled USAF Evaluated Mission.

During the exercise, local media were present to tour DuPage mission base. The media got a chance to observe what CAP does, and how our committed volunteers come together to prosecute the objectives assigned. A local Chicagoland newspaper had their write-up on the front page at publication time. The web version of that article is available here .

A total of almost 80 people participated throughout the state, braving wind chills in the lower 20-degree range. But the proficiency work in this adverse weather benefits everyone, like most CAP training. "It's certainly improved my flying," said 2nd Lt. Stewart Orlin, from IL-312. "I had my pilot's license for 10 years before joining CAP. It gives me a way to use my skills. I've learned search techniques...that helps you not to get lost."

Incident Commander, Major Andrew Welch, wishes to express his thanks to all the key staff who worked tirelessly to plan this over a period of weeks, and to all who participated in a safe and enjoyable activity this year.

SPRING ENCAMPMENT -- UPDATE

What: ILWG Spring Encampment 2012
When: 20-21-22 & 27-28-29 April 2012
RST (for both Cadet and Senior Staff) - 24 March 2012
Where: Naval Station Great Lakes, RTC

Web Page: http://encampment.group22.net

Pre-Application form: https://docs.google.com/a/group22.net/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFJiQXhjYlBFdXdBTlZxN1ZMLTAxNmc6MQ

Cadets interested in applying for line staff (Squadron Commander, Flight Commander, Flight Sergeants, Support) MUST fill out a pre-application (link listed above) by NLT midnight 31-Jan 2012 in order to be considered.

Once the pre-application is filled out you will then be contacted by the Cadet Exec Staff with further instructions.

Again, in order to be considered for a Cadet Line Staff position you must fill the application out by no later than midnight 31-Jan so there is still time to apply!!!! Get the application in!!!

Cadets wishing to attend as basics there is plenty of time -- Please visit the encampment website for details on how to apply as well as to seek information about the encampment.

**Please note that there has been a delay in me contacting Senior Members that were inquiring on positions - I will be in contact by email this week.....sorry for the delay**

v/r

--
Brian Pokuta Maj, CAP

Commander, Illinois Wing Spring Encampment

email: bpokuta@group22.net

ICE BOWL Underway

** ** ** EXERCISE ** ** ** EXERCISE ** ** **EXERCISE** ** **

West Chicago, IL -- The Illinois Wing of the Civil Air Patrol commenced its annual winter training exercise yesterday at locations throughout the state of Illinois. The activity, dubbed ‘The Ice Bowl’, works to ensure efficiency in responding to cold weather incidents throughout Illinois.

The main mission operation is based in Elgin at Paul Wolff F.P., with satellite locations near West Chicago, Moline, Alton, and Bloomington. From these varied locations, a total of 5 aircraft and over 75 personnel are reinforcing their training through a variety of scenarios, including natural disaster, missing aircraft, missing persons searches, and critical infrastructure photography.

The cold weather training helps to address a number of situations that arise for emergency services personnel. Cold weather poses certain challenges on both aircraft and responders, and also can be a factor in affecting communications. These type of ‘train like you fight’ activities, allow responders to gain proficiency when a real life is not in actual danger. Incident Commander for the activity, Major Andrew Welch, believes this is critical in a state like Illinois, where weather is often different at opposite ends. “ Given the taskings we receive, and the varied weather that may exist at any one time in Illinois, it is important that we are ready to respond anywhere, at anytime”.

Major Jim Griggs

Information Officer