WingTips Wing Conference Featured Inside

The official publication of Minnesota Wing Civil Air Patrol June 2005

50-year
members
recognized
by Col. Kevin Sliwinksi,
Minnesota Wing
The Minnesota Wing
Commander Col. Stephen
Miller presented 50 year
membership plaques to
four members of the wing
in May.
The 50 year members are
Lt Col. John Evans, Col.
(Left to Right) Col. Steve Miller, wing commander; Lt. Col. John Evans, Col.
Richard Murphy Sr., Lt.
Richard Murphy, Sr.; Lt. Col. Diane Oliver; Capt. J. Albert Oster; and Lt. Col.
Col. Diane Oliver and
Thomas Kettell, wing vice commander. Photo by Col. Kevin Sliwinksi
Capt. J. Albert Oster.
Murphy joined CAP in as a cadet. She has a master Oster joined CAP in 1950.
Evans joined CAP in 1954.
1953. He is a past rating in the administration He has a master rating in
He has held positions such
Minnesota Wing command- specialty track and has held the logistics specialty track
as Minnesota Wing director
er and North Central numerous positions in and has supported wing
of cadet programs and
Region commander. Minnesota Wing and North members for years with
director of aerospace
Oliver joined CAP in 1949 Central Region. supplies and equipment.
education.

Sixteen units send members to

Group One exercise in Duluth
by Maj. David Odette, squadrons attended the
Group One commander Group One search and res-
Approximately 111 mem- cue/disaster relief training
bers from 16 Minnesota exercise, hosted by Duluth
Composite Squadron,
(Left to Right, facing front) May 19-22.
Dan Jorganson, Robert
The exercise was held in an
Swearengin and Jim
Air Force evaluation format
Hetherington, all Viking,
with the incident command-
and (front) Lt. Col. Roger
er being given preliminary
Brogan, St. Croix. Photo
by Maj. David Odette SAR / Page 10
Page 2 WingTips June 2005

Commander’s Column: Six deadly sins of a volunteer group

by Col. Steve Miller,
wing commander
If any of you have driven
by the South St. Paul air-
port, you may have seen
the construction of our new
maintenance facility. At this
point, the walls and roof
are up. As this article is
written, the internal work is
ongoing. The expected
completion date is mid-July
2005. Watch for further
announcements on this.
Another on-going activity
of note in the wing is the
membership drive. To
improve Civil Air Patrol's
membership, national head-
quarters has put together a
membership drive. All units
should have the details of
this drive. The important
thing here is that, like the
rest of the country,
Minnesota Wing has expe-
rienced a drop in member-
ship. This drop in member-
ship may be attributed to
any number factors – many
over which we have no
control.
My philosophy has always
Col. Steve Miller
been to control what we
can control and be aware
of, but don't dwell on, what
we cannot control. There
are many reasons why our
membership has dropped
slightly.
At the Group I search and
rescue exercise held in
Duluth, I found an interest-
ing notice on the squadron's
bulletin board. I pass it on
for consideration:
The Six Deadly Sins of a
Volunteer Organization that
is Losing Members:
l Lack of fun (no planned
activities)
l Neglect (no follow-up
on members)
l Incompetence
(leadership and staff not
doing their jobs)
l Overwhelming members
(burnout)
l Complaints (internal
strife)
l It has been found that
more than 60 percent of
the non-renewed mem-
bers did not have any
further training nor did
they participate in any
activities.
Most of these six "sins" are
relatively easily fixed. It
takes a focused effort by
leaders AND followers to
make it happen. Don't wait
around for someone else to
come up with the solution.
Get involved.
Remember, you will get out
of this organization what
you put into it.
This is an exciting time to
be a member of CAP.
Minnesota Wing is a leader
in CAP. We have been
selected to have the
Gippsland aircraft assigned
here. We have the fourth
glass cockpit sent out to
Civil Air Patrol wings. We
have a great training budget
and are using it for training
throughout the state.
Each of us make this wing
the best in the nation. Let's
continue our efforts to be
the most highly motivated,
the best trained and the
most operationally effective
wing in the country.
-Semper Vigilans

WingTips is a publication of
Minnesota Wing Civil Air Patrol,
U.S. Air Force Auxiliary
P.O. Box 11230, St. Paul, MN 55111
www.mncap.org
wingtips@mncap.org
The views expressed, either written or implied, are not neces- Col. Stephen Miller, Minnesota Wing commander, pre-
sarily those of the U.S. Air Force, the Civil Air Patrol or sented Minnesota Senator Paul Koering with his mem-
Minnesota Wing. Submissions should be sent to the above
email address. bership in the Minnesota Legislative Squadron. Day
represents District 12 (Little Falls, Crosby-Ironton and
Wing Commander: Col. Steve Miller
Wingtips Editor: Maj. Shannon Bauer
Fort Ripley area) and recently joined CAP. Photo by
Col. Kevin Sliwinski
June 2005 WingTips Page 3

Minnesota Wing Conference Review

Moving Ahead in 2005
by Lt. Col. Bill Rutten, St. Croix Squadron meaning.
Minnesota Wing held its 58th annual conference April 29- Willis received "The
May 1 at the Breezy Point Resort north of Brainerd, Minn. Rock" for his gallant
More than 350 seniors, cadets and guests attended and car- attempt to use it as a
ried away with them their new experiences and friend- platform to address
ships. Highlights included the Spaatz and Wilson, the members present for a
awards presentations, the specialty fair and the "Rock." search and rescue exer-
cise. He apparently fell
off it three times.
Commander's commen-
dation medals and
plaques were presented
to Col. Kevin
Sliwinski, Minnesota
Wing, for his years of
work as a chief of staff
and Lt. Col. Betty Jo
Eckhoff, Minnesota
Wing, for her decade of
work as the wing
finance director.
The following members
The North Hennepin received longevity cer-
Squadron Color Guard start- tificates from national
ed the general assembly with headquarters for serv-
the posting of the colors. ing 20 years in CAP
Assistant Director of (photo on next page):
Aeronautics for the Lt. Col. David Skaar,
Minnesota Department of Minnesota Wing; Maj.
Transportation Steve Hurvitz, Wayne Sherman,
North Central Region Minnesota Wing; Lt.
Commander Col. Rex Col. Dennis Ostlund,
Glasgow and the Air Force Red Wing Squadron;
North Central Liaison Region Lt. Col. Stanley
Commander Lt. Col. Larry Kegel, Minnesota
Brockshus all addressed the Wing; Capt. David
(Left top) North
general assembly. Kellesvig, Minnesota
Hennepin Squadron
Wing; Maj. John
Receiving the "Pipestone Color Guard. (Left
Hole, Minnesota Wing;
Rock" Award was Minnesota lower) Steve Hurvitz.
Capt. Jay Randall,
Wing State Director Maj. Bill (Right top) “The Rock” North Hennepin
Willis. Lt. Col. Robert Dykstra award. (Right center)
Squadron; and 1st Lt.
and Maj. Richard Wenzel pre- Col. Kevin Sliwinski.
Ronald Jansen, St.
sented the award to Willis and (Right bottom) Lt. Col.
Croix Squadron.
explained its Betty Jo Eckhoff.
Page 4 WingTips June 2005

The following members received longevity certificates for

serving 30 years in CAP: Maj. Roberta Zylla, North
Hennepin Squadron; Maj. Eric Grubb, St. Paul Squadron;
and Lt. Col. Bruce Hegrenes, Minnesota Wing.
Capt Paul A. Kief, Northland Squadron, received a
longevity certificate for serving 40 years in CAP.
National headquarters also recognized the CAP pioneers
Col. Gerald M. Quilling and Lt. Col. John L. Evans,
both Minnesota Wing, for their service to Minnesota and
the United States. In gratitude, they both received a plaque
and a membership card that will never expire, which
means they will never need to pay a membership fee again.
The following members received a specialist of the year
award for their outstanding performance in one of the CAP Members who received longevity certificates for
specialty tracks: 20 years service in CAP.
l Administration: Lt. Col. Keith Bischoff, Duluth
Squadron;
l Aerospace Education: Capt. Gina Palazzari-Chavz,
North Hennepin Squadron;
l Cadet Programs:1st Lt. Seth Grenke, Hutchinson
Squadron;
l Communications: 2nd Lt. John Snyder, Duluth
Squadron;
l Emergency Services: Capt. James Hetherington,
Viking Squadron;
l Finance: Capt. Hal Waale, Northwest Minnesota
Squadron
Members who received outstanding performance
l Historian: 2nd Lt. David Hobson, North Hennepin awards for their specialty area.
Squadron;
l Logistics: Maj. Douglas Mitchell, Duluth Squadron;
l Flight Operations: 1st Lt. Mark Helseth, Viking
Squadron;
l Personnel: Capt. Kim Johnson, St. Croix Squadron;
l Professional Development: Maj. Rodney Broome,
North Hennepin Squadron;
l Public Affairs: 2nd Lt. Michael Rice, Anoka Squadron;
and
l Safety: Capt. Thomas Urban, Hutchinson Squadron.
Col. Thomas Simonet, Air Force National Security
Emergency Preparedness liaison officer to the Minnesota
Joint National Guard Headquarters and Emergency
Operations Center, served as the keynote speaker for the
adult assembly. Col. Thomas Simonet Col. Gerald Quilling
June 2005 WingTips Page 5

Heggemeier, Minnesota
National Guard adjutant gen-
eral - air. This is the highest
training award a cadet can
earn.
Maj. Charlotte
Miller,Valley Squadron, and
Maj. Rodney Broome,
North Hennepin Squadron,
received the Gill Robb
Wilson Award. This is the
highest training award a sen-
ior member can earn.
Gary Pendleton of the Federal Aviation Administration Maj. Rey Casanova, North
presented a special award to Lt. Col. Paul Thompson, Hennepin Squadron, received
Viking Squadron. Thompson received the prestigious FAA Maj. Charlotte Miller
the Dorothy Sindelar
Master Pilot Award. Shaking hands with Pendleton is Memorial Award. This award
Tedye Thompson, while Thompson looks on. is for an individual who
worked outside of his or her
assigned specialty by consis-
tently and dependability vol-
unteering to assist other staff
members in processing their
paperwork.
1st Lt. Bryce Duncan, Red
Wing Squadron, received the
Robert Dunbar Memorial
Award. This award is for an
individual who expanded the
capability of the Minnesota
Col. Stephen Miller, wing commander, presented Senator Wing communication field
Carrie Rudd, Minnesota 4th District, with a membership through his or her effort and
Maj. Rod Broome
certificate to the Minnesota Legislative Squadron. Her hus- technical expertise.
band, Richard Rostad, looks on.
Maj Sherrie Herzfeld,
Anoka Squadron, received
the Coffin Memorial Award.
Although not assigned as a
cadet programs officer, she
went out of her way to assist
in promoting the program
and provided solutions to the
many cadet challenges.
C/Sgt. Nathan Lundeen,
North Hennepin Squadron,
received the Cadet
Spaatz Award recipients included C/Col. Lori Sobolewski, Noncommissioned Officer of
Anoka Squadron, and C/Col. Joshua Gulbranson, Valley the Year Award. This award
Squadron. The presentation was made by Brig. Gen. Terry is patterned after the Air
Maj. Sherrie Herzfeld
Force Sergeants Association
Page 6 WingTips June 2005

NCO Award and recognizes

an outstanding cadet NCO.
C/1st Lt. Janna
Fosterling, St. Croix
Squadron, received the
Cadet Commander of the
Year Award. She served as
her unit’s cadet commander
from July 2003 to July
2004.
C/Col. Jack Houck, Anoka
Squadron, received the
Cadet of the Year Award.
Selection of this award is
based upon outstanding
achievements contributed to
the success of CAP’s mis- C/1st Lt. Janna Fosterling (Left two) C/Col. Jack Houck Lt. Col. Michael Moen
sion over the years. With
this award, he was allowed
to select the recipient of the
Air Force Torch Award,
which emphasizes the
importance of mentoring
our future leaders and rec-
ognizes the dedication and
leadership of a CAP senior
member. To receive this
award, Houck selected Lt.
Col. Michael Moen, Anoka
Squadron, out of the many
people who mentored him
through the cadet program.
1st Lt. Janelle Gates,
North Hennepin Squadron,
received the Senior
Member of the Year Award. 1st Lt. Janelle Gates Members of the 2nd Lt. Thomas Lucey family
This award is based on the vates Gates to the national David, are also members of
member's lifetime contribu- competition. Anoka Squadron. The
tions to CAP, their enthusi- selection for this award is
asm, shared expertise, lead- Glasgow and Brockshus
based upon a family’s
ership and compliance with also spresented Houck with
unselfish contribution of
CAP rules, regulations and the NCR Cadet of the Year
time, effort and skills in
objectives. Award. This award elevates
support of CAP activities,
Houck to the national com-
Gates also received the events and meetings.
petition.
North Central Region Chap. (Lt. Col.) Donald
Senior Member of the Year Minnesota Wing's Family
Mikitta received the Wing
Award. Brockshus and of the Year Award was the
Staff Member of the Year
Glasgow presented her with 2nd Lt. Thomas Lucey
Award. The award is based
her award. This award ele- family of Anoka Squadron.
upon the wing staff member Lt. Col. Don Mikitta
Lucey's sons, Adam and
June 2005 WingTips Page 7

who has best served the squadron members of Minnesota

Wing.
Capt. Alan Matson, Viking Squadron, received the Unit
Commander of the Year Award. The Wing Commander
makes the selection for this award after considering
accomplishment of the commanders emphasis items statis-
tical report and his personal knowledge of all the unit
commanders
The Squadron of the Year Award went to Grand Rapids
Squadron for accomplishing a higher level of success in
the commander's emphasis items. 1st Lt. James Miller,
unit commander, and C/Chief Master Sgt. Jasper Berg,
cadet commander, accepted the award on behalf of the
squadron from Miller.
Viking Squadron received the National Headquarters
Squadron of Merit Award. Each year national headquar- C/Chief Master Sgt. Jasper Berg and 1st Lt.
ters selects seven squadrons throughout the nation that James Miller accept the Squadron of the Year
excelled in its cadet program through educational achieve- Award on behalf of Grand Rapids Squadron.
ments, membership growth and retention, aerospace edu-
cation promotion and emergency service activities partici-
pation. Capt. Alan Matson, unit commander, and C/Capt.
Joshua Waddell, cadet commander, accepted the award.
1st Lt. Ronald Jansen, St. Croix Squadron, earned the
Certificate of Recognition for Lifesaving. He volunteered
to work at a disabled adult camp last summer, when he
was directed to a camper who was choking. He delivered
the Heimlich Hug three times to finally dislodge the
obstruction.

C/Capt. Josh Waddell and Capt. Alan Matson

accept the Squadron of Merit Award on
behalf of Viking Squadron.

Capt. Alan Matson

1st Lt. Ronald Jansen

Page 8 WingTips June 2005

Col. Steve Miller and Lt. Col. Tom Kettell

The 2005 Wing Conference team

The 2005 Wing Conference staff says “thank you” to all
the members and guests that attended the conference.
Until next year’s conference at Breezy Point Resort, stay
safe!
– 1st Lt. Noel Westlind
ou
See y ! – Maj. Victoria Rock
06
in 20 – Col. Dennis Rock
– 1st Lt. Barbara Kasper
– Lt. Col. Richard Kirchner
– Lt. Col. Anna Marie Bistodeau
– Lt. Col. Bill Rutten.
Prepared by Conference Committee public affairs team:
Bill Rutten, team leader, and 1st Lt. Bradley Heck and
Capt. Al Pabon, photographers. (Maj. Shannon Bauer con-
tributed the last four photos.)
Brad, 1st Lt. Cathy and Logan Cooksy

Maj. Brent
Halweg and Anita
Delegard
Lt. Col. Tom Theis and Maj. Bill Willis
June 2005
Glen Schull, Air Force Association, presented C/Senior
Master Sgt. Trevor Mathisen, Fort Snelling Squadron,
with an AFA Award to Outstanding CAP Cadets. Photo
by Lt. Col. Tony Tarpy
Mathisen awarded AFA award
Lt. Col. Tony Tarpy,
Fort Snelling Squadron
C/Senior Master Sgt.
Trevor Mathisen, Fort
Snelling Squadron,
received the Air Force
Association Award to
Outstanding CAP Cadets
for his service.
Glen Schull, AFA represen-
tative, presented the award
to Mathisen during a unit
meeting in Minneapolis.
Mathisen has distinguished
himself as an outstanding
cadet and leader at Fort
Snelling Squadron. As the
first sergeant, Mathisen
assumed the highest leader-
ship position in the
squadron and has served in
that role since October of
2004.
He supervised the growth
WingTips
of newer cadets and served
as a link between the sen-
iors and cadets. His leader-
ship brought about a rapid
increase in the promotion
of his fellow cadets.
Mathisen’s activities have
extended outside the
squadron, attending the
cadet encampment in 2004
and being selected as staff
for the 2005 encampment.
Mathisen received the
Wright Brothers Award in
November 2004 and was
selected as the 2004 Fort
Snelling NCO of the Year.
This award is an annual
award established by the
AFA to recognize the out-
standing CAP cadet in each
squadron. Selections are
made by the unit com-
manders concerned not
later than April 15 annually.
Page 9
Minnesota chaplains and moral
leadership officers go to school
by Lt. Col. (Chap.) Don Mikitta, Minnesota Wing
Six wing chaplains and moral leadership officers attended
the North Central Region Chaplain Service Staff College
at Columban Father Retreat Center in Bellevue, Neb.,
located just off Offutt Air Force Base, from April 25-28.
Those attending from Minnesota for the first time includ-
ed Capt. (Chap.) Hyle Anderson, Northland; Lt. Col.
Robert Juroszek, Anoka; and 1st Lt. (Chap.) Donel
Swanson, St. Paul. Past Minnesota graduates attending
again included Capt. Terry Dull, Viking; Lt. Col. (Chap.)
Don Mikitta, wing; and Lt. Col. (Chap.) Jim Sickmeyer,
Worthington.
Participants attended classes in suicide prevention, proto-
col, uniform wear, aerospace education and cadet pro-
grams. They received briefings from the CAP chief of
chaplains, the NCR commander and the NCR chaplain.
The highlight was a briefing from the Air Force Deputy
Chief of Chaplains, Brig. Gen. Cecil Richardson. Events
culminated with a banquet at Papillion Latter Day Saints
Stake House, hosted by the youth members of the Stake
House. The color guard was provided by the Douglas
County Composite Squadron in Nebraska.
Sickmeyer gave a briefing to the attendants on suicide
prevention, and 28 attendants earned QPR Suicide
Prevention Certification.
Capt. (Chap.) Hyle Anderson, Northland Squadron,
gets his uniform checked by Maj. Tim Steppan, Sioux
Falls Squadron, S.D.
Page 10 WingTips June 2005

SAR / from Page 1 plane. During the morning briefing, the

scenario clues periodically, starting mid-
week.
This first training scenario included a miss-
ing Cessna-172 with two people aboard
that departed Mankato, Minn., en route to
Hibbing, Minn. The route required a flight
of approximately two hours for the Cessna-
172. An eyewitness at Mankato verified the
aircraft departure, but a flight plan on file
was not opened nor was there any commu-
nications with flight services.
This scenario provided the staff with a very
broad area to search; and due to scenario
weather reports, the first search flights
could not start until Friday evening.
The mission command staff and search per-
sonnel assembled at the Duluth Squadron
headquarters on Saturday morning to set up
the search for the simulated missing air-
incident commander received an announce-
ment that a severe storm had passed
through an area west of Duluth late Friday
night and three additional disaster relief
type scenarios were given. The staff imme-
diately went to work on solving the scenar-
ios by dispatching aircraft flight crews and
ground teams from various unit locations in
the state.
Additional disaster relief scenarios were
given as others were solved. The partici-
pants completed the disaster relief scenar-
ios on Saturday and the missing aircraft
scenario on Sunday afternoon.
A special thank you to the members of the
Air Force-Civil Air Patrol-Reserve Lt. Col. John Quilling,
Assistance Program, or CAP-RAP, program wing headquarters,
who also attended. They provided overview served as air operations
support and helped CAP members become director. Photo by Maj.
better in providing emergency services. David Odette

Despite temperatures in the 30s and frequent snow showers, the Owatonna Squadron showed their patriotism by
marching in the Owatonna, Minn., Loyalty Parade held May 1. The local chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
hosted the parade. Loyalty day is observed on May 1 and originated during the cold car as a way for Americans
to counteract the Russian's May Day observances in which communists celebrated their hate for the United
States. This parade had not been held in Owatonna since the early 1980s. The unit “was cold...but proud to
serve." Photo by SM Julie Dally
June 2005 WingTips Page 11

Senior member promotions Momentous occasions ...

The 130th Squadron celebrated a cadet change of com-
Lt. Col. mand ceremony May 10. C/1st Lt. Jennifer Willhite
Lt. Col. Joe Volding, Group III
assumed command from C/Maj. Brian Anderson.
Major
Jim Abeler, Matt Dean, John Dorn, Tom Emmer, Larry Hosch,
Valley Squadron celebrated a cadet change of command
Dean Johnson, Neil Peterson, Char Samuelson, and Kurt ceremony June 2. C/Capt. Ben Piehl assumed command
Zellers all Minnesota Legislative from C/1st Lt. Michael Jacobsen.
Captain Lt. Col. Robert Juroszek, Minnesota Wing, was ordained
William Hienz, Viking; Richard High, Grand Rapids; James
into the priesthood on June 3 at St. Bridget's Church in
Kline, Fort Snelling; Eugene Sellen, Valley;
Minneapolis.
and Stefan Sylvander, St. Croix
1st Lt. Taps ...
Andrew Boshart, Anoka; Kathleen Eeten, Southeast
Dr. (Maj.) Richard Hall, a long time member of Mankato
Minnesota; Thomas Eeten, Southeast Minnesota; Earl Gibson,
Northwest Minnesota; Gail Kephart, Southeast Minnesota;
Squadron, May 1.
Don Mooney, St. Croix; Kevin Odette, Northwest Minnesota; Capt. Victor Olesen, a long time member of Hutchinson
Brent Smith, Fort Snelling; John Snyder, Duluth; Squadron, early April.
and Linda Tyner, Crow Wing
2nd Lt.
Thomas Atol, Duluth; Michael Blowers, Northwest Cadet officer promotions
Minnesota; Julie Dally, Owatonna; Tom Flemming, Grand
C/Capt. Mark Pomerleau, North Hennepin
Rapids; Aaron Peterson, St. Cloud; Richard Sather, St. Croix;
C/2nd Lt. Shawn Cruze, North Star; Nicholas Johnson,
and Robert Swearengin, Viking
St. Croix; and Cory Titus, Viking

Minnesota Wing Civil Air Patrol,

U.S. Air Force Auxiliary NONPROFIT ORG.
US POSTAGE PAID
P.O. Box 11230, St. Paul, MN 55111 PERMIT NO. 7109
ST.PAUL, MN