l Official Magazine of the Colorado Wing, Civil Air Patrol

36 Pages·2015·7.1 MB·English

Pe ks & Planes
Official Magazine of the Colorado Wing, Civil Air Patrol
Summer 2015
Peaks a d Planes
Official Magazine of the Colorado Wing, Civil Air Patrol
Colorado WWII Members Receive
Congressional Gold Medal
Commander’s Comments
Civil Air Patrol is the civilian auxiliary of
the United States Air Force. Peaks and
Planes is the official publication of the Col. William E. Aceves II, CAP
Colorado Wing of the Civil Air Patrol. Commander, Colorado Wing
It is published three times a year by the
Colorado Wing Public Affairs Staff.
Peaks and Planes is published by a private
firm which is not associated with the
Department of the Air Force or the Civil
“May you live in interest-
Air Patrol Corporation. The appearance of
ing times.” This expression
advertisements for products and services,
is often misattributed as a
as well as supplements and inserts found
Chinese curse, but in fact
in this magazine, does not constitute
is an English expression
endorsement by the United States Air
Force or the Civil Air Patrol Corporation. that originated sometime
around 936. It seems
Colorado Wing Commander
to give a negative con-
Col. William E. Aceves II, CAP
notation to periods during
Colorado Wing Director of Public
which there is change.
Affairs/Editor-in-Chief
Lt. Col. Mike Daniels, CAP The past couple of years
Vance Brand Squadron Public Affairs has been an interesting time for CAP. Two years ago we
Officer/Editor started the most significant change in the makeup of our
st Lt. Lyn Parker, CAP organization since the creation of the Board of Governors
Article submissions are always welcome. in 200. The new governance structure was designed to
Please send them in Microsoft Word format to streamline CAP operations at the National Level, and was
st Lt. Lyn Parker, Editor, Peaks and Planes at initiated in 202 by the National Commander, Maj. Gen. Carr.
[email protected]. Attach photos (in
The new governance structure was rolled out in two parts.
jpeg format) to your email and make certain to
The first part redefined the roles of the region and wing com-
include full caption information for each photo
manders, eliminated the National Executive Committee and
at the end of your article.
the National Board, replacing them with the Senior Advisory
Article Submissions- Next Issue Submission
Group (made up of region commanders) and the Command
Deadline: November 2, 205
Council (made up of region and wing commanders). The
Headquarters
second (and last) piece of the new governance structure was
Colorado Wing, Civil Air Patrol
put into place this last summer at the National Conference
325 W. Hamilton Ave., Bldg. 33
in Las Vegas by the new National Commander, Maj. Gen.
Peterson AFB, CO 8094
Vazquez. Now, instead of having a paid staff and a volunteer
Phone: 79-556-8280
staff at NHQ, there is one unified staff. Gone are the days of
Fax: 79-556-686
a paid staff member and a volunteer staff member duplicating
the work of each other, and at times giving conflicting answers
On the Cover:
to questions and requests for guidance.
Late 1940’s era“On the Air Force Team”
Civil Air Patrol poster (Top Center). WWII Although the new governance structure should be relatively
era photos of Maj. Paul Gilmore (Top Left), transparent to most squadrons, it is giving rise to some new
Maj. Wayne Field (Top Right), Sgt Marjorie
thinking that will probably be of benefit to most squadrons.
Wahlstrom-Chapman (Bottom Left), Sgt
NHQ is looking for ways to eliminate those procedures and
Keith Clasby (Bottom Left Center), 1st Lt.
practices that a lot of us have deemed “time wasters”. While
Earl Hoagland (Bottom Center), 1st Lt. Ben
a practice may have made sense way back when, such as
Berger (Bottom Right Center) and Lt. Col.
in the days before computers and the internet hit the scene,
John Butler (Bottom Right)
Continued on page 7 . . .
Peaks and Planes Summer 2015
 
Colorado WWII CAP Members
Presented Congressional Gold Medal
By Lt. Col. Mike Daniels, CAP
COWG Director of Public Affairs
On Friday, February 20th, at the Colorado
State Capitol building, eleven Civil Air Patrol
Congressional Gold Medals were presented to
WWII Civil Air Patrol members by Colorado
Congressman Ed Perlmutter, Colorado Adjutant
General, Maj. Gen. Michael Edwards and Colorado
Wing Commander, Col. Bill Aceves. Denver’s
ABC affiliate station, KMGH 7News, filmed the Colorado’s Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Michael Edwards
event and aired footage from the presentation on who oversees the Colorado Air National Guard and
several broadcasts. the Colorado Civil Air Patrol helped present the CAP
Congressional Gold Medal to eleven WWII era CAP member
Recipients who were present to receive their medals recipients or their family members along with U.S. Rep Ed
Perlmutter and Colorado Wing Commander, Col. William
included Col. James Cooksey, Maj. Wayne Field
Aceves at the State Capitol building on Friday, 20FEB15.
and Maj. Paul Gilmore.
On Friday, 20FEB15 at the Colorado State Capitol Congressman Ed Perlmutter (left) presented the Civil Air Patrol Congressional
Gold Medal that he co-sponsored to eleven recipients including Maj. Wayne Field, 88, of Colorado Springs, who after being a
CAP cadet during WWII joined the Army and was wounded at the Battle of the Bulge. Field will add the CGM to his over 300
medals he’s been awarded since age 55 as a competitive paraplegic swimmer. Photo of Maj. Field as a cadet.
Accepting the Congressional
Gold medal from Congressman
Perlmutter, Gen. Edwards and Col.
Aceves for Lt. Col. John Kunsemiller
of the Thompson Valley Composite
Squadron were his widow, Clara and
son John Kunsemiller. Photo of Lt.
Col. John Kunsemiller in December
2004 accepting
his Gil Robb Wilson award.
2 2
Ginny Butler accepted the Congressional Gold Medal for her late husband, Lt. Col. John Butler of the Jeffco Senior Sqdrn.
Photos of Lt. Col.Butler as a Senior Member and as a CAP Cadet during WWII.
U.S. Congressman Ed Perlmutter (left), COWG
Capt. Ken Rotramel of the Thompson Valley
Cmdr Col. William Aceves (far left) and Colorado
Composite Squadron along with his father, David
Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Michael Edwards (right) presented Maj. Paul Gilmore
Rotramel also of TVCS accepted the Congressional
of the Valkyrie Squadron with the CAP Congressional Gold Medal. Photo of Maj.
Gold Medal for 1st. Lt. Arthur Rotramel from
Gilmore’s as a cadet and his ID card during WWII.
Congressman Perlmutter, Maj. Gen. Edwards and
Col.Aceves.
Col. James Cooksey was the only Colorado
WWII recipient who was also able to attend
Joni Friedman, niece of 1st.Lt. Ben Berger, accepted the Congressional the presentation at the U.S. Capitol in
Gold Medal on his behalf from Congressman Ed Perlmutter, Maj. Gen December and was the first of the recipients
Michael Edwards and Col. Bill Aceves at the Colorado State Capitol to receive his medal.
presentation ceremony. Continued on page 11 . . .
Peaks and Planes Summer 2015
3 3
Congressional Gold Medal Presented
by Vance Brand Cadet Squadron
to Former CAP Member
By 1st Lt. Lyn Parker, CAP
Vance Brand Cadet Squadron, PAO
At the beginning of May
205, Colorado Wing
Commander, Col. Bill
Aceves, was contacted by
Stacy Laputz, the daugh-
ter of former CAP cadet,
Marjorie Wahlstrom-
Chapman. Col. Jon
Stokes, California Wing
Commander had pre-
viously contacted Ms.
Laputz to alert her that
her mother was eligible
to be posthumously
awarded the Civil Air
Patrol Congressional Marjorie Wahlstrom-Chapman in her CAP uniform around 1944.
Gold Medal. Stacy and her
family live in Longmont,
Colorado, so Col. Aceves
immediately thought of the Longmont CAP unit. He Laputz and her sister, Cindy Cossairt. On Monday,
asked the Vance Brand Cadet Squadron Commander, June 29th, Col. Aceves joined the VBCS in honor-
Maj. Loren Johnson, to present the medal to Ms. ing Ms. Wahlstrom-Chapman’s service in Civil
Congressional Gold Medal presented to Marjorie Wahlstrom- Col. Aceves presents the Congressional Gold Medal to
Chapman. Stacy Laputz and her sister, Cindy Cossairt.
4 4
Air Patrol during World War II. Several
cadets spoke telling of the advantages,
skills, and memories they have of Civil
Air Patrol prior to the presentation. Both
of Mrs. Wahlstrom-Chapman’s daugh-
ters were impressed with the degree of
professionalism displayed by the cadets,
senior members and the cadets’ parents.
Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Jeff Williams provided
the invocation, and Maj. Johnson served
as emcee for the evening. The ceremony
concluded and guests were fortunate to
see some of the memorabilia Ms. Laputz
brought of her mother’s time in CAP.
Stacy Laputz and Cindy Cossairt accept the CGM on behalf of their
Ms. Laputz sent a “Thank you” email to
mother.
the squadron in which she said, “I would
like to express my heartfelt thanks for
the lovely Congressional Gold Medal presentation would have been so honored by this acknowledge-
program we experienced this past Monday night. We ment of her service in CAP.”
were very touched by the ceremony and we appreci-
Marjorie Wahlstrom-Chapman became a Civil Air
ate all the planning and care that went into making
Patrol member in 943 as part of the California Wing
the evening so very memorable… To Col. Aceves,
Los Angeles Squadron 5. She possessed a restricted
thank you for the long drive from Colorado Springs
radiotelephone operator’s permit and served as
to join us in Longmont and for the meaningful words
Assistant Flight Leader in Flight D of her squadron.
of appreciation you gave for our mother, as well as
Mrs. Wahlstrom-Chapman served in Civil Air Patrol
a whole generation of volunteers that helped launch
until the end of the war. She later met and married
the CAP at the start of WWII. I will forever cherish
her husband, Arnold, and they had three children,
the memory of the moment when you handed that
Robert, Stacy and Cindy. Her husband passed away
beautiful medal to me… To the cadets; thanks to
in 999 and Mrs. Wahlstrom-Chapman agreed to
each of you for your participation Monday evening.
move to Colorado in January 2008, to be near her
All of us enjoyed hearing your stories, memories,
older daughter, Stacy. But the move took a toll on
and/or CAP trivia you shared. Keep up your good
her health, and she suffered a minor then a major
work! To the chaplain (Chaplain Williams) thanks
stroke. Mrs. Wahlstrom-Chapman passed away
for your invocation and asking the Lord’s blessing
April 23, 2008 in Loveland, Colorado.
on our evening, it was a lovely prayer. Our mother
CAP Pre-Flight Cadet study manual. Flight D Log Book.
Peaks and Planes Summer 2015
5 5
CommAnder’s Corner cont. from page 1
technology may have made Program budget at NHQ and was hands a few times: in 959 it
those practices and procedures benefiting only a relatively small was passed to the Continental Air
as obsolete as the proverbial number of cadets nationwide. The Command. In 968, we moved
buggy-whip. In April the Rocky revamped Cadet Competition under Headquarters Command
Mountain Region commander, will cost less to administer, and - USAF. We again moved in 976
Col. Bost, tasked the wing com- open up the exciting activity to a to the Air University, and then
manders within Rocky Mountain greater population of cadets. in 993 to the Air Education and
Region for a list of items which Training Command, where we
ought to be done away with since Another change which came are today. The decision has been
at this point all they do is waste into effect earlier this year was made to again move CAP, and
our volunteers’ valuable time. the announcement of the Curry this time we will be serving under
We were more than happy to Uniform Voucher system. This Air Combat Command. While
oblige, and just as you do, look program replace the Free Cadet the USAF will not be equipping
forward to some, if not all, of our Uniform program which was us with guns, missiles, or bombs,
suggestions resulting in changes expensive and not realizing its the idea is that under ACC, the
that would make our organization goals. There were also numerous USAF will be able to better equip
function more efficiently. complaints, such as the length of CAP with funding and addi-
time it took for the uniforms to
tional missions. Additionally, the
Early in this century, we saw a arrive, as well as problems with
administrivia of our interaction
major shift in our Emergency incorrect sizes being shipped. The
with other non-USAF agencies
Services mission. Technology Curry program is designed to get
will probably change as a result,
was making aircraft getting lost uniforms into the hands of new
cutting some of the red-tape and
harder and our finding them a cadets sooner, and make correct-
allowing us to conduct our mis-
lot easier. We all welcomed that. ing any size issues a lot easier.
sions more effectively.
The amount of time and resources This month saw the announce-
that was being used on these type ment of the Cadet Encampment “May you live in interesting
missions was dropping. Assistance Program (CEAP). times.”
This program was a surprise to
Then came 9/, and we accepted We do, and we welcome it!
all wing commanders. The Air
new missions that supported
Force decided to fund a program
Homeland Security, as well as
that would address why cadets
FEMA. Whereas once SAR was
do not attend encampment. They
the mainstay of our ES purpose,
realize that getting a cadet to
our HLS and FEMA mission now
encampment early in their CAP
command the bulk of our mission
career is tied to the retention of
support, accounting for almost
cadets.
75% of the missions.
Right now one change is being
Significant changes for the Cadet
worked that should be completed
Program were announced this
and in place by the end of this fis-
year. First, the much beloved
cal year. After the end of World
and missed Cadet Competition
War 2, CAP was made the auxil-
is returning. Costs were a factor
iary of the newly formed United
for the two year hiatus of this
State Air Force. Since then,
cadet tradition. NHQ realized
supervisory responsibility within
that the competition was consum-
USAF for CAP has changed
ing a proportion of the Cadet
Peaks and Planes Summer 2015
7 7
First SAREX of 2015
A Hit With Cadets
By Maj. Eric Schwarm, CAP
Thompson Valley Composite Squadron, Commander
Photos by Maj. Eric Schwarm
“This is more fun than geo- a hard landing. In this case it
caching!” Cadet Chief Master was a practice signal intended to
Sergeant Jason Cuthbert thor- simulate an emergency signal and
oughly enjoyed his first Colorado provide realistic training.
Wing Search and Rescue exercise Locating an ELT can be a chal-
(SAREX) on Saturday, January lenge. In this case the search
3st, 205. A recent transplant teams had little information to
Cadet Airman 1st Class Shane
from Oregon Wing, Cuthbert work with. The simulated report
Lindsay uses direction finding
officially joined Thompson suggested the practice ELT was
equipment to locate a practice ELT.
Valley Composite Squadron a heard by an airplane flying north
hint of the signal. Undeterred,
mere 2 days before the SAREX. of Fort Collins, CO. Planners
the teams continued toward their
His introduction to emergency for the practice mission, led by
assigned search area.
services in Colorado Wing was Incident Commander Stefanie
The aircrew detected the practice
a positive experience. Hudgins, dispatched a ground
ELT signal first. They tracked
Cuthbert deployed on a ground team and one aircrew to inves-
the signal using direction find-
team along with Senior Flight tigate. Departing Fort Collins
ing equipment installed in the
Officer Alex Nuckols and Cadet – Loveland Municipal Airport,
airplane. They also radioed
Airman st Class Shane Lindsay. the teams headed toward the
the ground team and instructed
All are members of Thompson initial search area.
them to head toward Horsetooth
Valley Composite Squadron. The search teams listened to the
Reservoir, west of Fort Collins.
Their assigned mission was to practice ELT radio frequency
The aircrew continued their
investigate a reported Emergency as they travelled. Stopping
search as the ground team con-
Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal, several times, Cadets Cuthbert
tinued their journey.
a radio beacon that activates if an and Lindsay practiced their skills
As the ground team arrived in the
airplane crashes or experiences with the radio direction finding
newly refined search area, the air-
equipment. Initially there was no
crew narrowed the search to the
top of a hill west of the reservoir.
Continued . . .
Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Jason
Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Jason
Cuthbert and Cadet Airman 1st Class
Cuthbert uses direction finding
Shane Lindsay next to the practice Zia the crash survivor greets the
equipment to locate a practice ELT.
ELT they located. search team.
Peaks and Planes Summer 2015
9 9
FIrsT sAreX oF 2015, cont. ConGressIonAL GoLd medAL,
cont. from page 3
Deceased recipients who were
Cadets Cuthbert and Lindsay ground team radioed their find-
represented by family to receive
took turns talking to the airplane ings to the Incident Command
their medals posthumously
on the radio. The plane’s bird’s Post. They were instructed to
were Col. Harold Smethills,
eye view allowed them to direct deactivate the practice ELT and
Lt. Col. John Butler, Lt. Col.
the ground team through a maze return to their mission base.
John Kunsemiller, Lt. Col. John
of curving roads and switchbacks Cadet Airman st Class Shane
Smethills, st Lt. Ben Berger, st
that blocked the signal from being Lindsay also enjoyed his first
Lt. Earl Hoagland, st Lt. Arthur
heard on the ground. The ground experience in CAP emergency
Rotramel, st Lt. Nona Smethills
team reached the hilltop shortly services. Lindsay has been a
and Sgt. Keith Clasby.
before the aircraft spotted an member of Thompson Valley
orange tarp on the ground, pos- Composite Squadron for 0 Interesting stories about some of
sibly representing a signal from months. According to Lindsay, the recipients’ service were shared
a downed pilot. “I was a little bit nervous to come with the standing room only audi-
The orange tarp wasn’t visible to this actually, because I’d never ence of over 00 attendees by sev-
from the road so the ground team been to a SAREX before. I was eral of the VIP speakers including
used their radio direction finding very pleasantly surprised to see Congressman Perlmutter, Maj.
equipment to lead them toward how well organized, how well Gen. Edwards, State Senator
the practice ELT. The terrain structured, and how exciting the and CAP Legislative Squadron
appeared to be diffusing the SAREX was.” Commander, Kent Lambert,
signal, making precise tracking When asked what he thought CGM Event Emcee and radio
difficult. As they climbed toward of the day as a whole, Lindsay personality, Rick Crandall and
the goal, Cadet Chief Master Sgt. replied, “Last summer I com- Col. Aceves. The Valkyrie Cadet
Cuthbert remarked how much fun peted in Houston in the Junior Squadron Color Guard presented
he was having. “This is more fun Olympics. This ranks up there the colors and cadets also assisted
than GeoCaching!” with that.” Lindsay also men- with ushering attendees to their
Moments later the ground team, led tioned the SAREX was a very dif- seats. Various displays with
by Senior Flight Officer Nuckols, ferent experience than squadron photos and info about several
reached the practice ELT. It meetings. “The Senior Members of the recipients as well as CAP
rested atop the orange tarp spotted here did an excellent job of uniforms and memorabilia from
earlier by the aircrew. Simulating working with the cadets. It was the era were set up around the
unpredictable wreckage, a metal so phenomenal…when you come room and in the hallway. At the
shield blocked the ELT signal to to a SAREX everyone sees each conclusion of the presentation all
the south. That made the search other as equals.” were asked to join in singing the
crews work harder since their When asked if he would recom- Civil Air Patrol’s March as the
mission base was located south of mend Emergency Services to words were found on the back of
the search area. other cadets, Lindsay responded their programs and a reception
Joining them at the search area, enthusiastically, “Don’t be afraid. followed the event.
an enthusiastic black lab named All I had to do was put in a little
Zia added a little excitement to work, and then I could come
the find. The practice beacon was to this and have a ball for a
placed by a nearby resident, Von Saturday.” Cuthbert added,
Campbell, who also happens to be “Everyone is here to help you and
a Major with Thompson Valley here to guide you. It was funny,
Composite Squadron. Now that it was enjoyable, and it was very
the practice ELT was located, interesting. Come out here and
along with Zia the survivor, the try it out, it’s a lot of fun.”
Peaks and Planes Summer 2015
 
Safety Stand Down:
Through the Eyes of Black
Sheep Senior Squadron
By 1st Lt. Sean Melody, CAP
Black Sheep Senior Squadron, PAO
Photos by 2nd Lt. Ashley Garcia, Black Sheep, Asst. PAO
2nd Lt. Johnathan Fletcher shares
Annual Safety Stand Down preferences, click the “Other” tab
advice for navigating Eservices,
Meeting! How many members and you will see a box to enter relative to documenting your Safety
cringe when they hear those your CAP ID. Take advantage of Currency.
words? Black Sheep Squadron AOPA and FAA courses which
traditionally holds theirs during are excellent and free. procedure for entering a pattern
the first few weeks of January. in a C82. He covered common
This year was no different. This mistakes and provided tips for
year our Safety Officer, Captain improving. A stabilized approach
John Mitchell, put together an is key on final. The pilot should
outstanding agenda. not hesitate to execute a go-
around if uncomfortable; another
aircrew member or the tower
advises a go around. As soon as
you think a go-around may be a
good idea, do it.
Tail Strike Avoidance was pre-
Capt. John Mitchell provides a sented by Capt. Ray Wells,
refresher on Operational Risk Black Sheep Check Pilot. He
Management.
clarified how tail strikes occur
on both takeoff and landing
COWG Director of Aircraft if you are not cautious. Capt.
Maintenance, Capt. Matthew Wells talked the common causes
Flanders reviewed the facts sur- of tail strikes, cross winds, soft
Capt. Matthew Flanders shows the
damaged tubes to Black Sheep. rounding the Wing’s 3 flat tire taxiways/runways, FOD and
incidents. Investigations found over rotation during takeoff or
Second Lieutenant Johnathan that none were caused by actions landing. He reviewed the pro-
Fletcher, Black Sheep Assistant of the pilots. All of the tubes had cess for reporting an incident.
Safety Officer, explained the relatively low hours. The shops (Wing Commander, Wing Safety
process of entering and verifying COWG utilizes do not use the Continued . . .
your safety currency. He dis- brand of tube CAP had purchased
cussed several sources available and did not recommend the
for remaining current in addition brand. National has switched to
to CAP courses. Linking your Michelin. COWG has decided
CAP member number to the to replace every non Michelin
FAA/AOPA (Federal Aviation tube at cost to the Wing. Careful
Administration/Aircraft Owners inspection of all tires prior to
and Pilots Association) courses flight must occur.
is fairly simple. Once logged in Captain Dave Ayers, Black Sheep
Capt. Dave Ayers reviews a proper
to FAA Wings, under account Check Pilot, reviewed the proper
approach in a Cessna 182.
Peaks and Planes Summer 2015
3 3