Volume 5, Issue 7 “Progress through Leadership” November 2007

Happy

Veterans

Day

Inside this issue:

Interim 2
Commander’s Desk

Chaplain’s Corner 3

IG Tips 4
Happy
Safety Notes 5

AF Evaluated 6-7
thanksgiving
SAREX

Aerospace Education 8
Update

DKCS 201 9
Commander Receives
Award

Arizona Wing 10
Members featured
in Local News

Office of Public Affairs

1Lt Rob Davidson Capt J. Brandon Masangcay
Director Asst. Director / WingTips Editor-in-Chief
 Page 2 Volume 5, Issue 7

Interim Wing Commander’s Desk

Major John W. Kruger
Arizona Wing

I would personally like to express my congratulations on a job well done to all

that participated in our weekend of Evaluation. Each of you performed admirably. I
have always felt that AZ Wing has established a reputation for meeting challenges with
professional excellence and a winning spirit. While I was listening to the out brief,
there were three words that came to mind with great clarity. Those words were
Grateful, Honor and Privilege. I am Grateful to all the staff officers, squadron
commanders, and group commanders for going the extra mile to make sure that all the
necessary documentation was submitted for the Survey Audit portion of the evaluation.
This enabled wing to have all its files in Logistics and Communications updated and in
order. While it was not mentioned in the out brief, I was informed that we did well on
the Survey Audit. There were only a few minor discrepancies. I will not receive
specifics until the report is completed. I am Grateful for the quality of leadership that
was displayed not only in preparation but during the evaluation. I am specifically
grateful to Lt. Col Brian Ready, Capt Eileen Mueller, Lt. Col Bill Lynch, and Lt. Col Ed
Ryan for their solid leadership in my absence and getting everyone focused on getting
the job done. More importantly, I am truly honored and consider it a privilege to be
your interim commander. Thanks again for all your hard work and selfless service. WE
ARE THE NUMBER ONE WING IN SWR.
November 11th is Veteran’s Day. This is a day that we have the privilege of
showing our gratitude to our Country’s Veterans and to thank them for the sacrifices
they have made on our behalf. Let us all take a moment and reflect on the fact that we
live in freedom because of those that have fought and continue to fight for our country
and way of life. On this special day please take the time to remember how much we
owe the men and women who serve or have served in our Armed Forces.

In an effort to try and reach out to you the member, I am in the process of developing a
question and answer section for my monthly article. If you have a question or concern, please
submit to the Capt Brandon Masangcay, Public Affairs Officer and we will pick a question each
month and provide an answer.

Thank you Team Arizona for your volunteerism and continued support.

Semper Vigilans!
Volume 5, Issue 7
Death and Taxes
There is an old saying that there
are two things certain in Life: “Death and
Taxes.” Lately, in Civil Air Patrol, there
seems to be a third: “Change.” New
interim National Commander, many new
interim Wing commanders, and here in
Arizona wing directors and unit
commanders moving around like the pro-
verbial cat on a hot tin roof. Change,
Change, Change.
I hear rumblings and grumblings as
well as a lot of procrastination. But, before
you sit on your hands or jump to
conclusions, remember we are the best
Wing in the nation.
Then remember who made us the
best wing in the nation – YOU the workers
in the units and YOU haven’t changed
YOU are still there. That means we can
continue being the best in the nation if we
all just keep working as we have been
working.
In Hebrews11:1-3 it says; “Now
faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen.” So too
must we have faith in the leaders of CAP
and the things they have done not seen by
us. CAP has survived and will continue to
survive if we continue to work as we have
in the past.
Brigadier General Amy Courter is in
command and is in control. Headquarters
is in a turmoil NOT because of the change
of command but because of moving of
Page 3
offices at Air Force request. One excellent
change is that Gen Courter has managed
to convince Chaplain (Col) Charles Sharp
to remain as National Chaplain instead of
retiring. So as said in another old saying;
“every dark cloud has silver lining.”
Don’t let rumors and lack of
knowledge cloud your vision or your
dedication. CAP still has the largest fleet
of search aircraft with the largest group of
volunteer pilots and crew members. CAP
also is the one dedicated organization
teaching self discipline and personal
responsibility to youth – our cadets – and
there is our future – of CAP and perhaps
our Nation.
So let us all dispel the cobwebs of
confusion and mistrust and get back to
work doing what we do best: Keeping
Arizona the best Wing in the Nation.
As we approach Veterans Day
(Armistice Day) and Thanksgiving think of
all the changes that have taken place in
our world in our lifetime and pray for
today’s Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and
Marines who risk all so that we may have
our Civil Air Patrol.
Our changes are miniscule in
comparison.
Remember freedom isn’t free.
Semper Vigilans – always vigilant.
 Page 4 Volume 5, Issue 7

Inspector General’s
Tips
By
Maj John E. Lindsey, AZWG IG

Do you have both an

Active and Passive
Training Program?

I’m speaking of a program where all members progress beyond Level 1-

Orientation in their Professional Development.

In some units, over 50% of the active members are still at Level 1, even though
they have been assigned for an extended time. Some causes are:
a. Inadequate in-processing
b. All members NOT assigned a duty position within the unit upon receiving
their membership card.
c. Credit not being given to members who fill a duty position (PA or CAPF 2A)
and not being reflected on CAPNHQ eServices (member search).
d. All members assigned a duty NOT enrolled in their applicable specialty track.
e. Fear of taking AFIADL 13, CAP Senior Officer Course.
f. Commander and staff not setting Professional Development goals and
system to monitor achievements.

All Seniors in your units should be progressing through the Senior Member
Professional Development Program as they are the life blood of the unit and our future
leaders.
Volume 5, Issue 7
Safety Notes
By
Lt Col Mark D. Hardison, AZWG Director of Safety
The winter season is on again. Camping, fireplaces, holiday gatherings: Many of
these activities will include the use of fire. Please make sure that fire related tragedy
is not a part of your memory of this season in the future.
FIRE SAFETY OUTDOORS
In Civil Air Patrol we frequently improve and test
our search and rescue skills in the areas where
they will most likely be needed—in the
“boondocks”. To the extent that these areas are
dry and covered with nature’s fuels (tree
branches, sticks, grass, brush, etc.) we should
take a few minutes to remember some ordinary
precautions about fire safety.
1. Your vehicle should be equipped with a work-
ing spark arrestor.
2. Lanterns, stoves, and heaters should be
allowed to cool before filling them with fuel.
Refueling should be done on the ground in a
cleared area. If fuel is spilled, move the lantern
or stove to a new clearing before lighting it.
3. Re-cap and store flammable liquid containers
in a safe place.
4. Never light lanterns or stoves inside a tent,
trailer, or camper.
5. Make sure you have adequate ventilation
when using lanterns or stoves inside tents or
trailers.
6. Drown unused hot coals and embers in water.
Do not just sprinkle them. Be sure they are
COLD before leaving the site.
7. If you must smoke, make sure you are sitting
or standing in a cleared space at least 3 feet in
diameter around you. Grind out tobacco prod-
ucts in bare dirt. Never put these products out by
grinding them on a log or stump. If is unsafe to
smoke while walking. Use your car ash tray
when it is available.
Page 5
FIRE and YOUR SAFETY
We are so familiar with fire that it is easy to
become careless. A number of everyday things
and events are associated with nearly all de-
structive fires, which include:
1. Flammable liquids. See how many around
you now that you can name. How can oily rags
cause fires?
2. Electrical hazards. What hazards are posed
by extension cords?
3. Smoking. Why are smokers in a
disproportionate number of vehicle accidents?
How would careless disposal of cigarettes lead
to a fire?
4. Hot surfaces. What scenario can you dis-
cuss that would relate to a C.A.P. activity and
destructive fire?
5. Sparks and Static Electricity. Where have
you seen these cause problems?
6. Flammable Materials. What other things
around you right now could burn and
endanger you? Discuss worn motor bearings,
over-hot rubber drive belts, etc.
7. Broken Equipment & Clogged pipes and
flues. What do you do when you discover
something wrong with equipment? Besides lim-
iting damage to the equipment itself, could you
be preventing fire damage?
As you are listening to this talk, do you know
where the nearest fire extinguisher is? Where
are the nearest exits? How would you get to
those exists if you were absolutely blind from
smoke? What are the various CLASSES of
fires (A,B,C,D), and what kinds of extinguishers
do they require? How does clutter contribute to
the risk of fire?
 Page 6 Volume 5, Issue 7

Arizona Wing rates

EXCELLENT
on Biennial Evaluated
Search and Rescue Exercise
Photos by Capt J. Brandon Masangcay, WingTips Editor

The results are in and the Arizona Wing has received and overall Excellent for the
2007 CAP-USAF Evaluated Biennial CD/HLS/SAR/DR Exercise. The individual scores
are as following:

Area Evaluated Rating

Agency Liaison (Lt Col Russ Sturgeon) Excellent
Air Branch Director (Lt Col Bob Erickson) Excellent
Aircrews Excellent
Chaplain (Chap. (Lt Col) Morris Courtright) Successful
Communications Unit Leader (Lt Ruben Kafenbaum) Excellent
Counter Drug Operations Successful
Critical Incident Stress Management (Lt Col Pat Brower) Successful
Finance and Administration (Maj Carla Day) Successful
Ground Branch Director (Lt Col Newton Muelheisen) Successful
Ground Teams Excellent
Incident Commander (Col John Varljen) Excellent
Information Technology (Col Gil Day) Excellent
Mission Information Officer (Maj James Nova) Excellent
Mission Safety Officer (Lt Col Bob Breakiron) Excellent
Operations Section Chief (Maj Mike Rich) Successful
Planning Section Chief (Lt Col Ron Fett) Excellent
Staging Area Manager (Maj James Hervert) Excellent

Exceptional Performers of the Exercise:

Col John J. Varljen

Lt Col Brian Ready
Capt Dallas Lane

The day’s statistics were:

70 Personnel
9 Aircraft
6 Vehicles
13 Air Sorties
1 Ground Sortie
2 Remote Bases (Tucson and Lake Havasu)
30.4 Flight Hours
717 Person-hours
Volume 5, Issue 7 Page 7

THE GOD SQUAD

Maj Mike Rich briefs Operations Branch Above: Lt Col Fett heads the Planning section
Below: Chaplains (forming the God Squad) on
stand-by

Capt J. Brandon Masangcay,

Lt Col “Fritz” Seifritz, Deputy Ground Branch Deputy Mission Information
Director takes note Officer posts Press Releases
 Page 8 Volume 5, Issue 7

Aerospace Education Update

Lt Col F. Pete Feltz
Deputy Director, Aerospace Education

2007 Arizona Science Teachers Association

Conference a big success.

Governor Janet Napolitano Lt Col Pete Feltz & PV Community

College teacher, Dave Harbster

The Annual Conference was held at the Mesa Convention Center on October 18
and 19. Lt Col Bill Turner, AZ Wing DAE and Lt Col Pete Feltz, Deputy DAE, were
in attendance and had set up an Aerospace Education booth.

This year, the conference format was for two full days filled with sessions sharing
classroom teaching ideas, special speakers, exhibits, as well as opportunities to
network with other science teachers from throughout Arizona. The Civil Air Patrol
booth is always one of the favorites with Aerospace Education hand out materials
for teachers to use in their classrooms. One of the fun items at the booth is flying
our unique X-15 model. The teachers enjoy giving it a try and receive the detailed
instructions on how to build it. We also recruit teaches to join CAP's Aerospace
Education Member program.

This year's conference included keynote speakers scheduled for each day and we
were delighted to have Governor Janet Napolitano as the keynote speaker at the
luncheon on Friday, Oct 19th. The primary topics covered were "Advancing STEM
Education in Arizona - Breaking down the Silos", the theme of the confer-
ence. The Governor spent well over an hour making her presentation and fielding
very pertinent questions. All those in attendance seemed very pleased with the
responses.
Volume 5, Issue 7 Page 9

Dan Kenny Composite Squadron 201

Commander receives Award
Article by Lt Derek Gates, DKCS 201 PAO
Photo by Capt Dan Schearer

The squadron commander for Squadron 201 in Flagstaff, Arizona was named
the Highlands Fire Department’s Firefighter of the Year for 2007. Captain Dan
Shearer was presented this award on 13 October 2007 at a ceremony presented
by the Flagstaff Masonic Lodge #7.

For the past five years the Flagstaff Masons have honored local fire
departments, police departments, and Forest Service employees with these
awards. The recipients are judged by their peers. The award is determined by
work ethic, dedication, and a team-oriented mentality. Shearer has worked for
the Highlands Fire Department for 14 years as a fire fighter, engine operator, and
line officer.

Shearer joined CAP in 2003 and has been the squadron commander for 10
months. He has served in the squadron as the Personnel Officer and the Infor-
mation Technology Officer.
Volume 5, Issue 7 Page 10

Arizona Wing Members

Featured in
Local Newspapers

Dr. (Lt Col) Chuck Bendixen, AZWG

Medical Officer, was featured in the
Flagstaff Arizona Daily Sun on 5 Sep
07. The article featured Dr. Bendixen’s
love of flying.

Cadets Ian Hall and Alex Link appeared in

Lake Havasu City’s Today’s News-Herald on
7 Oct 07. The article featured the cadets’
career desires at the military academies.

Cadet Hall inspires to become an Air Force

pilot at the Air Force Academy while Cadet
Link seeks to become a computer or nuclear
engineer at the Naval Academy.