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