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.