New Mexico Wing, Civil Air Patrol, P.O.

Box 5069, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico 87185-5069

Special Edition, December 2008 Editor: 1Lt Norman Reames, PAO

FEIK, COURTER GRACE WING CONFERENCE WITH THEIR

PRESENCE
By Lt Col Jay T. Tourtel, CAP, Public Affairs Officer, Eagle Cadet Squadron
Photos by Capt Brad Jones, CAP, Santa Fe Composite Squadron

Aviation pioneer and CAP lifetime member Col

Mary Feik, and CAP National Commander Maj
Gen Amy S. Courter were two of the honored
guests of the New Mexico Wing Conference, from
14-16 November at the Radisson Hotel in
Albuquerque.

Col Feik, a member of Maryland Wing, was the

keynote speaker for the conference’s opening
Maj. Gen Amy Courter, CAP ceremonies Saturday, 15 November. Col. Mary Fiek, CAP

She spoke about her career as an aviation mechanic, a career that has now spanned 66 years.

Beginning in 1942, Feik worked as a mechanic on a number of World War II aircraft, including the B-29,
B-50, P-51, and the P-80, the first aircraft to fly at Mach 2, twice the speed of sound. The P-80 delivered to
Wright Field for Col Feik’s use was nicknamed “Mary’s Little Lamb,” and after that, according to Feik, any
aircraft on the flight line received that name whenever she was on the line.

She was friends with CAP Hall of Honor inductee Col Zack Mosley, creator of the “Smilin’ Jack” comic
strip, as well as President John F. Kennedy, and saw him for the last time three weeks before he was
assassinated.
Continued on Page 5

CAP Nondiscrimination Policy Happy Birthday CAP!

(CAPR 36-1 para 4c(2)
That no person shall, on the ground of race, color,
or national origin, be excluded from participation
in, be denied benefits of, or be otherwise subjected
to discrimination under any program or activity
receiving Federal financial assistance from any
component of the DoD. [DoD Directive 5500.11]
Prohibit discrimination based on handicap.
[DoD Directive 1020.1]”
Civil Air Patrol to celebrates 67th anniversary
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. – The 57,000
members of the Civil Air Patrol observed another year
of vigilant service to America on Dec. 1.
“Our citizen volunteers have a proud legacy of selfless
service to their country and their communities. They
truly go above and beyond each day, giving their best
as needs arise,” - Maj. Gen. Amy Courter, CAP’s
National Commander

FLIGHTLINE Page 1 of 11
December 2008
 Major Renovations at National
– Expect Delays -
Announcement from National Headquarters
The Air Force has scheduled the Civil Air Patrol
National Headquarters building to undergo major
renovation beginning later this month. The project is
expected to take 16 to 18 months and most of the
National Headquarters staff to relocate to another
facility on Maxwell AFB. Movers are scheduled to
arrive on 15 December to move furniture and files.
The move is scheduled to be complete by 20
December.
There will be some minor interruptions to phone
service during the move to the new building. You
may expect intermittent phone service to begin on
Thursday, 11 December and continue through
Monday, 15 December. If you have an urgent
membership services need you can contact a member
service representative through the regular number: 1-
877-227-9142 ext. 205. The National Operations
Center will not be affected by this move and will be
available to accept your calls.
Whenever possible, we request you use e-mail for
this period instead of a phone call to make sure your
question or issue is addressed. E-mail service will
not be interrupted but responses from NHQ staff may
be delayed while computers are moved from one
office to another.
The mailing address for all mail to NHQ will remain
the same.
Thank you for your patience during the building
moving process and we apologize for any
inconvenience this may cause.
From Col. Himebrook
We have heard back on our SAV Finding Report and
they have said we have a plan in place to prevent
similar findings in the future which resulted in
SWLR Closing all of our Findings!
Thanks for all the hard work and we are on the right
path to a successful Compliance Inspection – keep it
up and we’ll do great!
FLIGHTLINE
December 2008
Required FEMA Training
By: Lt. Col David MacLauchlan, CAP
31 Dec., 2008 is the deadline for those who wish to
participate in Emergency Services, to be qualified in
IS100, IS200, IS300, IS700, and IS800. IS400 will
need to be accomplished by 30 Sept 2009. You
must be qualified to participate in any exercise or
Red Cap.
Many positions require a combination of these
requirements in order to participate in Emergency
Services. Currently there is only an 11%
compliance related to IS700 of ES personnel.
The 100, 200, 700 and the 800 can be taken at the
FEMA site at the following location. You must
review the programs which take about an
hour or so for each and then take an online test.
http://training.fema.gov/IS/crslist.asp.
Why Do I Need To Take the FEMA courses?
There has been a lot of comments made about why
is it necessary for us to have to take and pass these
FEMA exams. The best response I have found is by
David Moseley, Lt. Col., CAP, Leesburg, Florida.
“Incident Management will always tax anyone who
steps up to the plate in any capacity. The Federal
Govt is not going to allow a Heinz 57 list of
management types. In California, the wildfires ran
thru multiple counties and caused consternation
among the various agencies because each had their
own way of doing things, their own radio signals,
and few had ever been involved in the deployment
of huge numbers of resources.
The advanced classes, ICS 300 &400 are based on
the assumption that the other classes have been
finished. The goal is to do tabletop exercises which
are taxing, but are fun. You will be in a class with
cops, firefighters, EMS folks, even people from the
Dept of Public Works. Lots of folks who have
BTDTGTTS (Been there. Done That. Got the T-
Shirt) If it is BTDTGTTSWH, That means they
earned the T-shirt with the holes in it.
You will develop some life long friends and will be
welcome in emergencies as one professional to
another…
Continued on Page 3
Page 2 of 11
 Required FEMA Training
(Continued from Page 2)
Your Emergency Medical people are required to
have these classes, as are the firefighters in your
area. How about talking with them? There is
turnover in their ranks, just like there is in CAP.
These folks will be looking to complete the
qualifications.
ICS is not going to go away. They have mandated a
few of them that were to be done by January of this
year, but it's been coming for 15 years or more.
Don't give up your flying, take some of these classes
and have some FUN. The PAO class is the best and
the most fun of all of the FEMA classes that I've
taken.
We all get frustrated at things that come down the
pike, but this is one that is necessary. If it's fun as
well, you have a chance to take the bitter medicine
with some sugar. Give it a try.”
Announcement from Our Friends in EAA
The Double Eagle II Air Traffic Control Tower went
Operational Monday, 12/1/2008.
You will be given ATC Service including clearance
to Land and Takeoff. They will be providing
sequencing into the traffic pattern. You are asked to
call on Ground Control (120.15) prior to taxi, and
taxi instructions will be provided at that time. Any
questions, call the AT Manager, Dave Moore, at
352-5595.
ATIS is 119.025; Local (tower) is 118.3.
NMWG Counter Drug Program Suspended
NMWG is no longer required to maintain CD
officers, CD qualified crews, or complete CD
training and evaluation missions. Further, NMWG
is prohibited from engaging in any CD activity.
This suspension shall remain in effect until the
NMWG/CC officially requests the CD program to
be reinstated and such reinstatement is approved by
SWLR/CC.
FLIGHTLINE
December 2008
ATTENTION All aircrew members!
By Col. Himebrook
In my office today came a member who said “we
have 70% of our aircrews flying without the proper
uniform”. The figure may be a high estimate but it
indicates a problem.
My immediate reply was: Why would any aircrew
allow anyone on their crew knowing their families
would be denied AF benefits for the remainder of
their lives!
In 2002, there was a significant CAP aircraft
accident that changed a lot of the procedures we use
to authorize, release, and fly CAP missions. The
changes were required because the aircrew made
some very significant errors in planning and
conducting that flight. The aircrew members all
died so we can't ask any questions about why they
decided to violate so many rules.
In addition to violations and errors in mission
authorization, flight release, and CAPR 60-1
restrictions, some members of the crew were not in
appropriate CAP uniforms. The DOD decided that
because of all of these regulatory violations this was
not an Air Force authorized mission, so none of the
family members received the insurance or death
benefits called for in CAPR 900-5. This decision
was eventually overturned after six years of
expensive and painful legal action on the part of the
surviving families.
I find it strange that an otherwise intelligent and
thoughtful person would decide, on their own, to
deny insurance benefits to the surviving family
members of another crew member. When an
aircrew member decides to wear an Air Force style
flight suit with a non-compliant name tag, incorrect
rank, or non-authorized patches, they are in fact
making this decision to invalidate insurance benefits
for other people. I don't understand why they would
decide to additionally penalize spouses and children
of a deceased crew member, but I can't come to
another conclusion.
As the wing commander, I am responsible for
insuring compliance with CAP rules and
regulations. That includes uniform regulations. I'm
not going to tolerate someone to deny insurance
benefits to surviving spouses and children in the
event of a fatal CAP accident. We must not have
uniform violations while flying.
Continued on Page 4
Page 3 of 11
 Civil Air Patrol colonel piloted Space
Shuttle Endeavor

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFNS) --

An Air Force colonel who is a senior member of
the Civil Air Patrol is scheduled to pilot the Space
Shuttle Endeavour for mission STS-126 when it
takes off Nov. 14 at Kennedy Space Center, Fla.

Col. Eric Boe, a NASA astronaut, flew the shuttle

in his first voyage into space as Endeavour
provided support to the International Space
Station.

Endeavor docked with the space station and

delivered supplies to support its expanding needs,
including a multipurpose logistics module.
Colonel Boe said prior to the mission "I'm very
excited to go into space and get the opportunity to
represent the nation," "It's a great opportunity to see
what it's like to go into space."
A former Georgia Wing cadet and current Florida
Wing member, Colonel Boe said his involvement
with CAP as a young man helped him achieve his
career goals of becoming a fighter pilot and an
astronaut. Colonel Boe, who soloed at age 16 at a
flight encampment conducted by the Georgia Wing,
credited his cadet experience for solidifying his
desire to fly.
"That was my first real opportunity to fly an
airplane by myself," he said. "CAP gave me that
opportunity, and it really made a difference in the
long term. It's always nice to have flown before you
show up at pilot training."
National Cadet Special Activities
1 November: Menu of activities was
announced via the web, email, the
Volunteer, etc.
1 December – 15 January: Applications
will be accepted via the online system
February: Wings will approve/disapprove
their cadets
March: Cadet primary attendees and
alternates will be announced
Please let Curt LaFond (clafond@capnhq.gov)
know if you have any questions. Thank you.
John A. Salvador, Director of Missions, HQ CAP
Col. Eric Boe heads for a shuttle training aircraft to
practice landings on the Shuttle Landing Facility's
runway Nov. 11 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in
Florida. He is the STS-126 pilot and is a Civil Air Patrol
member. (NASA photo/Kim Shiflett)
ATTENTION All aircrew members
(Continued from Page 3)
Do not expect to fly if you are not in an authorized
and compliant Air Force style or CAP uniform.
That includes rank, patches, name tags, foot gear,
and outer garments. The only authorized jacket
with the AF style flight suit is a green flight jacket.
You need to wear black socks. Only white, black,
or brown T-shirts are authorized. If you wear the
AF style green flight suit, you must meet weight
and grooming standards. These rules are all
explicitly spelled out in CAP Manual 39-1. They
are not new.
This is something I take very seriously as many
years ago when I was a young senior in New
Mexico, a CAP pilot (who lived about 2 blocks
from our house) was killed. He left a pregnant wife
and no insurance – that AF insurance meant to lot
to her.
Fly in proper uniform, and this includes
Cadets on an orientation flight as well!

FLIGHTLINE Page 4 of 11
December 2008
 PAO Wins National Civil Air Patrol
Public Affairs Balsem Award of
Excellence

2nd Lt. Norman Reames, C.A.P. of Albuquerque,

New Mexico was recognized with National Civil
Air Patrol’s with the Air Force Maj. Howell
Balsem Excellence award in the Brochures and
Flyers during the Civil Air Patrol’s Public
Affairs Officer Academy held Aug. 5-6 in
Kissimmee, Fla.

The Balsem awards honor top-notch public Brigadier General Amy Courter, National Commander
relations initiatives produced over the past year Civil Air Patrol (Interim), 2nd Lt. Norman Reames with
by CAP officers and cadets throughout the
Balsem Award, and Miles O’brien CNN Report, Guess
nation.
Speaker.
A CAP member since July of 2005, 2nd Lt.
Reames serves as a Public Affairs Officer for
Albuquerque Heights Composite Squadron
(a.k.a. Spirit Squadron). Recently he was
appointed to the position of Civil Air Patrol New
Mexico Wing Public Affairs Officer.

PAO Wins New Mexico Wing Civil Air

Patrol 2008 PAO of the Year Award

1st Lt. Norman Reames, C.A.P. of Albuquerque

Heights Composite Squadron (a.k.a. Spirit 1Lt Norman Reames with Col. Richard Himebrook
Squadron) was recognized with New Mexico Civil and the PAO of the Year Wing Award for Spirit
Air Patrol’s 2008 PAO of the Year award at the Squadron PAO.
2008 Wing Conference.

FEIK, COURTER GRACE WING

CONFERENCE WITH THEIR PRESENCE
(Continued from Page 1)
She was the first woman to receive the Charles
Taylor “Master Mechanic” Award for 50 years of
service in the aviation mechanics industry.

Civil Air Patrol’s Feik Achievement, created in

2003, was named after Col Feik. She considers
being the achievement’s namesake one of the
highest honors of her career.
Maj Gen Courter presided over a town hall
Col Feik is passionate about her dedication to
discussion during the afternoon session,
aviation, because she never knows who she may
touch with her experiences. “You never know where she commented on the state of CAP.
what’s going to turn a youngster on to aviation,” During the past fiscal year, CAP saved 90
she said. lives as part of its search and rescue efforts.

FLIGHTLINE Page 5 of 11
December 2008
 C/Lt Col Bradley R. McNicol of the Rio Rancho
Falcon Composite Squadron was named Cadet of the
Year
Sergeant Wills accepting on behalf of Desert Ridge
Middle School the award School Enrichment
Program Squadron of the Year
C/SSgt Austin H. Brown of the Thunderbird
Composite Squadron was recognized as Cadet NCO
of the Year.
FLIGHTLINE
December 2008
C/SSgt Nathaniel S. Brown of the Thunderbird
Composite Squadron was recognized as Cadet
Communicator of the Year.
Capt John H. Gravel of the Santa Fe Composite
Squadron was named Senior Member of the Year.
The Squadron of the Year Award was presented to
the Albuquerque Heights Composite “Spirit”
Squadron by Col Richard F. Himebrook, New
Mexico Wing Commander. Lt Col Beverly Pepe and
Lt Col Mark Smith, the current and former squadron
commanders, accepted the award from Col
Himebrook.
Page 6 of 11
The Looney Memorial Family of the Year Award Col Himebrook received an award for 40 years of
was presented to 1st Lt Walter H. Brown of service.
Albuquerque Senior Squadron II; and his sons,
C/SSgt Austin H. Brown and C/SSgt Nathaniel S.
Brown, both of Thunderbird Composite Squadron.

Lt Col Pepe received the Abbott Memorial Decade The Lifesaving Award and cadet of the year award
were presented to C/Lt Col Gerald A. Feltman of
of Dedication Award, which honors those
Falcon Composite Squadron.
members with more than 10 years of distinguished
service to CAP

Chaplain (Lt Col) Charles A. Moorer, Wing
Chaplain Emeritus received awards for 40 years
of service, and Jackson Memorial Award for
Chaplain of the Year.
Maj Ted Sptizmiller of Rio Rancho Falcon
Composite Squadron was nominated for the Frank G.
Brewer-CAP Aerospace Memorial Award.

FLIGHTLINE Page 7 of 11
December 2008
 Maj Joseph R. Perea, M.D., Wing Safety Officer and
deputy commander of Eagle Cadet Squadron,
received the award for Safety Officer of the Year.
Lt. Col. John Green Inspector General for New
Mexico Wing, CAP received Outstanding Staff
Member of the Year.
Col. Himebrook presenting of the LaLuz T-shirts to
Col. Mary Fiek and Maj. Gen. Amy Courter
presented T-Shirts from La Luz by Col Himebrook
during recognition of Aerospace Education within
the Wing. Star Base La Luz and NMCAP have a
joint program for aerospace education..
FLIGHTLINE
December 2008
Lt Col. Paul Cline received the Don Otis memorial
award – Communicator of the Year.
Samantha Reames was promoted to cadet second
lieutenant and received the Gen Billy Mitchell
Award from Maj Gen Courter, who assisted in
pinning on Cadet Reames’ new rank.
Lt Col Roland Dewing, Wing Director of
Aerospace Education, and Lt Col Claude
Luisada (not pictured) each received awards
Page 8 of 11
 C/CMSgt Rawson from Las Cruces Col Himebrook presents Col. John Varljen, SW
Composite Squadron received the award for Region Vice Commander with New Mexico
Outstanding AE (Aerospace) Cadet of the Wing Conference tile.
Year award

Col Himebrook Bobbie Jean Tourville who is Col Himebrook presents Maj Gen Courter with
Chief, Professional Development at Nat'l HQ New Mexico Wing Conference tile.
with New Mexico Wing Conference tile.

Col Himebrook presents Col Feik with New Col Himebrook presented Tim Paul New
Mexico Wing Conference tile and Wing Mexico State Police Aviation Director with
Challenge Coin. New Mexico Wing Conference tile.

FLIGHTLINE Page 9 of 11
December 2008
 ONCE IN A LIFETIME, TWICE IN ONE YEAR
By Kimberly L. Wright, originally published in Civil Air Patrol Volunteer magazine
(July-August edition)
Cadet 2nd Lt Nicholas Quintero was selected to
participate in two elite youth leadership programs in
Washington in the same year—the Hearst
Foundation United States Senate Youth Program and
Civil Air Patrol’s Civic Leadership Academy.
Quintero was one of 104 student delegates—two
from each state and the District of Columbia, as well
as two alternates—participating in this year’s Hearst
Foundation program, an all-expense-paid adventure
that immerses youth in Washington activities for a
week. Participants heard presentations from
senators, cabinet and department chiefs and other
high-ranking officials, and they met with a justice of
the U.S. Supreme Court.
Hearst delegates are required to possess noteworthy
leadership abilities and a commitment to
volunteerism and to rank in the top 1 percent
academically in their state. In addition to the trip,
the foundation grants each of the 104 student
delegates a $5,000 college scholarship. Each
delegate is encouraged to continue coursework in
government, history and public affairs.
The program was created by Senate Resolution 324
in 1962 and has been sponsored by the Senate and
fully funded by the William Randolph Hearst
Foundation since its inception. Its focus, as stated in
Senate testimony, is “to increase young Americans’
understanding of the interrelationships of the three
branches of government, the caliber and
responsibilities of federally elected and appointed
officials and the vital importance of democratic
decision making not only for America but for the
people around the world.”
CAP’s Civic Leadership Academy involves a more
intimate group of youth from across the country. An
academically driven program in its fifth year, CLA
meshes an in-depth study of government in action
with studies of key historical and modern documents
to help 24 exceptional cadets interact in civics,
citizenship and leadership in a meaningful way.
Beltway stops this year included the FBI, then
Pentagon, the CIA and noteworthy D. C.
monuments.
FLIGHTLINE
December 2008
Exceeding Expectations: Quintero, an active
member of the Eagle Cadet Squadron in
Albuquerque, N.M., found much to treasure in each
program. “The activities presented unprecedented
opportunities to meet the leaders of our nation and
the chance to witness firsthand the foundations of
history in the making,” said Quintero, adding, “My
involvement in both programs furthered my respect
and love for my God and country.”
“Each activity was vastly different from the other in
social and group dynamics,” he said. “However, the
differences complemented each other, allowing me
to see each experience in a new perspective.”
The two programs also gave him greater respect for
the sacrifices necessary to preserve liberty. “The
military mentors that accompanied the student
delegates during the Senate Youth Program gave me
a renewed and greater respect for our men and
women in service,” he said. “And, the personal
account of our CAP officers while visiting the war
memorials on the National Mall gave new meaning
to the principles of selflessness and sacrifice. Each
activity exceeded my expectations in every possible
way.”
Expanding Horizons: As indicated by his selection
for two exclusive youth leadership activities,
Quintero is dedicated to developing his full potential.
In addition to CAP, he has worked with a Law
Enforcement Explorer Post for four years, achieving
the rank of captain and currently serving as cadet
commander. A home-school student, he has also
been active in TeenPact leadership school for three
years, where he has been elected committee
chairman twice and governor for his senior year.
Much of what Quintero has achieved he credits to
CAP.
“The leadership principles taught and displayed by
the members of my CAP squadron greatly impressed
me,” he said. “I was able to identify leadership
characteristics I wanted to exemplify like respect,
hard work and accountability—all essential qualities
in life.”
(Continued on Page 11)
Page 10 of 11
 ONCE IN A LIFETIME, TWICE IN ONE YEAR
(Continued from Page 10)
Quintero said he especially values his flight training.
“Not only was I allowed to partake in the
exhilarating experience of mastering the concept of
air power, but I also worked with some of the most
dedicated and selfless volunteers in the nation,” he
said. “I appreciate the mentorship of my instructor,
Capt. Joseph Friel of the Massachusetts Wing’s
Hanscom Composite Squadron; his commitment of
excellence and high standards of integrity serve as
one of the most influential experiences of my CAP
career. I use the principles of professionalism and
hard work he taught me in everyday life.”
CAP members can expect to hear more from
Quintero in the future. He plans to pursue a career in
federal law enforcement and to have a direct role in
national security.
C/2Lt Nicholas Quintero
C/Lt Col Wittman and Major Joseph R. Pera of Eagle
Squadron
FLIGHTLINE
December 2008
News From Around the Wing!
Eagle Composite Squadron –
Major Joseph R. Pera, M.D., Eagle Cadet
Squadron’s deputy commander and aerospace
education officer, receives the Meritorious
Service Award for outstanding duty
performance for New Mexico Wing’s hosting of
six IACE cadets and their escort in July 2007.
C/Lt Col Wittman and Major Joseph R. Pera of
Eagle Squadron, received the Southwest
Region’s Frank G. Brewer award, presented at
the Southwest Region Conference in Oklahoma
City, Oklahoma.
Roswell Composite Squadron –
got an article published by the Daily Record
about the painting of the CAP airplane Red,
White and Blue, with a good transition about
the squadron, 11 November 2008.
Socorro Composite Squadron –
got an article published about the glider flights
(above the fold) in the El Defensor Chieftain, 22
October 2008, and an article published about
their support of the EAA fly-in at the Socorro
airport, 22 October 2008. In addition they had
a picture taken and posted in the September 6th
edition of the Mountain Mail of the squadron
during a presentation by 1Lt David Finely to the
city council about Civil Air Patrol.
Thank You Boeing Corporation!
Boeing Corporation gave NMCap a grant for
$7,500.00 for Aerospace Education this year.
Page 11 of 11