THE KEYSTONE

JUNE 2007 - Vol. 36

WING SLIP

Former Cadet Lt Col, Ian Hanna,

Commissioned as Ensign by
PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH
(photo credit; Lt Col Herb Cahalen)

(See story on page 1)

 IN THIS ISSUE
Cover Story
The Hanna brothers graduate from military
academies and give credit to CAP for helping them to
prepare for fulfilling careers.......page 1
Squadron News
PA Wing Civil Air Patrol Squadrons, continue
to support their communities and share their stories
with our readers.......pages 3 to 7 & 18 to 20
PA Wing News
PA Wing Squadrons share travel experiences and
the Wing Historian shares highlights of
his career.......pages 8 to 11
Aerospace News
PA Wing’s Group 4 holds its fifth Aerospace event and
the members shared their knowledge of aerospace
with the invited public.......pages 14-16
PA Wing Hosts National Financial Summit
PA Wing headquarters, opened its doors to host
one of the first National Financial Summits for
Wing financial officers and staff.......page 17
Watch for Next Month’s Issue!
We will travel back in time through a photo journey on
the Mid Atlantic Air Show and WW II Re-enactment
held at the Reading Airport on June 1,2,3, 2007.

Pennsylvania Wing Civil Air Patrol

Headquarters, Building 3-108
Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, Pennsylvania, 17003
www.pawingcap.com
Telephone 717-861-2335 Fax 717-861-2164
1Lt Linda A. Irwin, Editor
 THE KEYSTONE WING SLIP
June 2007
Official Magazine of
Pennsylvania Wing
Civil Air Patrol

PA WING CAP IS PROUD OF ITS CADETS

U.S. Air Force Auxiliary

President Bush was the Guest of Honor attending the US Coast Guard Academy COVER STORY
Graduation Ceremonies held on May 23, 2007. One of the 228 graduates (Ensigns),
was Ian Hanna, an eight year member of the Civil Air Patrol. Ian achieved the rank of
Cadet Lieutenant Colonel, with the Jimmy Stewart Composite Squadron 714, in
Indiana, PA, and served as Cadet Commander in 2000-2001.
Ian also served as a Staff Cadet at Hawk Mountain Ranger School, for 6 years, and
served as the Cadet Deputy Commander in 2001. Upon application to the USCGA, Ian
listed his many leadership accomplishments through Civil Air Patrol, including Cadet
Officer School, Para-rescue Orientation Course, Search & Rescue Competition Awards,
and many other activities. Although his PSAT scores did not meet the Academy’s
requirements, the Admissions Department said “We want this guy.” Ian was then
accepted into the Academy’s Prep Year in 2002 and reported to USCGA in 2003.
During his time at the Academy he served as Captain Mast Commander and Cadet
Commander of the Eagle. FORMER CAP
Ian’s older brother Lieutenant Alex Hanna, USAF, graduated from the US Air Force CADETS
Academy in 2004, where President Bush was again the Guest of Honor. Alex also GRADUATE
achieved rank of Cadet Lieutenant Colonel with 714 and Cadet Deputy Commander at FROM MILITARY
Hawk Mountain Ranger School. Alex is presently serving in Quatar as a C 17 Pilot. ACADEMIES
Alex attended COS, Falcon Flight Academy, Cadet Exchange Program, (IACE), and “Their Civil Air
acquired his private pilot’s license through Civil Air Patrol. Since graduation from the Patrol careers had
USAFA, Alex has continued to serve Civil Air Patrol through Hawk Mountain Ranger prepared both boys
School as a volunteer where needed. for their academy
Other Cadet Commanders from Jimmy Stewart Composite Squadron experiences”, said
now serving in the military: Capt Harry Hanna,
father of Ian (top
photo) and Alex (pic-
2LT Betsy Kealey, USMC, Graduated USNA 2005, also
tured below).
received diploma from President Bush

Capt. Jacob Hiles, USAF C 130 Pilot, Little Rock, AR and

served multiple tours of the Middle East. Capt Hiles was a
member of AFROTC.

Capt. Issac Hiles, US Army Ranger, Scout Platoon Commander

101st Airborne. Also a member of AROTC.

(Ian was married on May 25, to a fellow Ensign, Francesca Smith. After their 30
day liberty the newly weds are assigned to Kodiak, AK, US Coast Guard Base. Ian will
be serving on USCG Cutter Spar and Francesca on the USCG Cutter Morganthau.
Both will be patrolling in the Bering Sea.)

PA WING WISHES TO THANK CAPTAIN HARRY HANNA FOR HIS CONTRIBU-

TIONS FOR THIS ARTICLE AND FOR SHARING SOME PERSONAL PHOTOS.
 2 PA WING CAP IS PROUD OF ITS CADETS continued

Aviation Career Began in CAP

Captain Joshua Hall, Erie Comp. Sq. 502, graduated Magna Cum Laude from the College of the Ozarks on 13
May with a B.S. in Aviation Science. The college is located at Point Lookout, MO near Branson. Two days before
graduation, he took his oral and practical exam for Airframe mechanic to complete his A&P certification.
His aviation career began at age 15 as a Sq. 502 cadet when he attended a Glider Encampment at the
Philadelphia Glider Council. At age 16 he attended the PA/NJ Falcon Flight Encampment and soloed under the
tutelage of Captain William Doyle. He continued his lessons under two CFI’s in the Erie squadron at that time.
He received flight scholarships from the Spaatz Association and Pennsylvania Wing to enable him to complete
basic flight training. On the day he left for college in 2003, he tested and received his Private Pilot Certificate.
During his college years he earned his Instrument, Commercial, CFI, CFII and Multi Engine ratings. On the 31st
of May, Captain Hall completed requirements and checkride for his MEI (Multi Engine Instructor) rating. He is
also a rated Mission Pilot, and Check Pilot for PA and MO Wings.
In 2005 and 2006 Captain Hall returned to the PA Wing Powered Flight Encampment as an instructor, and will
do so again in July, 2007.
As a cadet, he attended numerous National and Wing Encampments and earned the Eaker Award. He was also
the PA Wing 2000 Cadet of the Year, and Cadet Commander for Sq. 502.
His long-term career plans are to go into missions aviation, servicing missions and missionaries in remote areas
such as Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Haiti or Africa. In the short-term however, he plans to build hours and
experience working as a pilot and instructor. During the summers of 2005 and 2006 he served six week intern-
ships with Missionary Flights International at Ft. Pierce, FL where he gained mechanic experience working on
their DC3's that they utilize servicing missions in Haiti and the Caribbean. He also had the opportunity to log over
30 DC3 hours during some of these flights.
His father, Major John Hall, is the squadron commander for Erie 502 and his mother, Diane teaches in the Erie
School District. Captain Hall plans to spend one last summer in Erie flying CD & ES missions and orientation
rides for CAP before traveling to Poland on a short term missions trip sponsored by his church.
SQUADRON NEWS 3

Senator Stewart J. Greenleaf Visits Squadron 902

May 3, 2007 - State Senator Stewart J Greenleaf visited

Civil Air Patrol Squadron 902 to attend the weekly meeting of
the squadron and become more familiar with Civil Air Patrol
and its activities. An Honor Cordon welcomed him to the
meeting.
Senator Greenleaf has represented the 12 Senatorial District
in Pennsylvania since 1978 and has authored a considerable
volume of legislation that includes legislation to protect the
rights and enhance the lives of children. Some of the legisla-
tion that he has authored includes Pennsylvania’s Megan’s Law,
the Grandparent Custody Law, the School Pesticide Law, the
“No Means No” Rape Law, and the Missing Children Act. He
is prime sponsor of a law that extends the period of legal
recourse for abused children, and the constitutional amendment
that allowing for the option of electronic testimony for child
victims and witnesses.
To compliment this, Squadron 902, as a unit of the Civil Air
Patrol (CAP) also focuses on our younger citizens. It has a
Cadet Program that seeks to provide teenagers with the oppor-
tunity to grow within a structured military environment and
become confident, capable, law abiding citizens irrespective of
whether or not they choose a military career. The leadership
skills that CAP fosters lend themselves to non-military as well
as military environments. The duties and skills required of cor-
porate Vice Presidents, Directors, Managers, and Supervisors
closely correlate to those of Colonels, Majors, Captains and
Lieutenants.
So it was with honor and pride that Maj Julia Postupack,
Squadron 902 Commander, presented Senator Greenleaf with
an honorary membership in Squadron 902. Additionally, Lt
Col Mark A. Lee, CAP Pennsylvania Wing Vice Commander,
and Lt Col Robert L. Meinert, CAP Pennsylvania Wing
Executive Director, officially promoted Senator Greenleaf to
the rank of Major. He is a member of the Pennsylvania
Legislative Squadron.
Senator Greenleaf then assisted Squadron 902 with the pro-
motion of Cadet Stephen A. Earp to the rank of Cadet Major
and Cadet Stephen Williams to the rank of Cadet 2nd
Lieutenant.
The senator’s speech during the ceremony reflected his care
and concern for the future of our next generation. His inspira-
tional and motivational talk was well received and many will
remember his visit on a day early in May of 2007. More infor-
mation about Squadron 902 (and its meeting information) can
be found on the web at www.sqdn902.org . Information about
CAP in general can be found on the web at www.cap.gov .
 4 SQUADRON NEWS continued
ORIENTATION FLIGHTS FOR SOMERSET A new T Ball League opened its season
AREA CADETS recently at Lebanon’s Northeast Park.
On Wednesday, 30 May, two U. S. Air Force Auxiliary,
Civil Air Patrol, Group One aircraft, based at Allegheny
County Airport, arrived at the Somerset County Airport
(2G9) and flew 6 of the unit's cadets on orientation
flights. For most of the year the weather is very unpre-
dictable and organizing flights for the dozen cadets can be
very difficult. When it became clear that we were going
to have great weather for the evening, phone calls and
Emails were made. Captain Gerry Vaerewyck (SQ 711) The new T-Ball League, under the leadership of Mr.
and Captain Andy Pierce (Group One) responded and Rigoberto Ramos, opened its season with a formal cer-
made the unit's regular Wednesday meeting very special emony. Tossing out the first ball, was the Honorable
by bringing a C-172 and C-182. Cadets; C/LTC Dennis Bob Anspach, Lebanon Mayor. The Colors for the for-
Maranowski, C/1LT Kelsey Suter, C/CMG Ryan mal opening were posted by members of Civil Air
Musselman, C/A Jacob Robertson, C/A William Swope, Patrol Squadron 307 from Lebanon.
C/A William Dunbar participated this week with more
flights being planned for the other cadets in the near
future.

The members of the Color Guard were Cadet

Master Sergeant Matt Eckert, Commander with Cadet
Technical Sergeant Ryan Torres, Cadet Staff Sergeant
Karl Showers and Cadet Airman First Class Justin
Belleman.
photo - by C/LTC Victoria M. Swope, CAP - Lt Beatrice Gernert
The Lebanon VFW Squadron Assisted the Lancaster Airport’s Breakfast Fly-In
Cadets and senior members alike had an opportunity to assist the Lancaster Airport personnel with parking vehi-
cles, sharing in the effort for crowd control and were given the opportunity to receive training on flight line mar-
shalling during the recent ever popular Breakfast Fly-In event.
 SQUADRON NEWS continued 5

Mid-State 239 Cadets Receive First Flights

Two cadets of Mid-State Composite Squadron
239 recently received their first orientation flights
in Civil Air Patrol aircraft. Cadets Tyler Bartley
and Steven Lazar, students at Philipsburg Osceola
High School, took to the sky with CAP pilot 1st Lt
Jeff Case in a Cessna 172. During their first
flights, both Bartley and Lazar had approximately
1 hour of flight time behind the pilot controls and
had hands on experience in learning how the air-
craft performs during all stages of flight. In future
orientation flights, the cadets will learn more
advanced maneuvers, experience instrument flight,
Cadet Tyler Bartley (left) and Cadet Steven Lazar (mid-
and how to handle emergency situations in the air-
dle) receive preflight instruction from 1st Lt Jeff Case
plane. All cadets in Civil Air Patrol have the
(right) before their first orientation flight in a Civil Air
opportunity to receive orientation flights in both
Patrol airplane
gliders and powered aircraft. As the cadets
progress, they may apply for CAP flight schools
where they can earn their solo pilot’s license.
Mid-State Composite Squadron 239 is based at Mid-State Regional Airport near Philipsburg. Meetings are held
every Tuesday from 7 to 9 PM and rotate through a schedule of drill, leadership, aerospace education, moral leader-
ship and emergency services training. Civil Air Patrol performs 95 percent of all inland search and rescue missions
as assigned by the United States Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. These missions include missing aircraft
and missing person searches. Opportunities exists for cadets, ages 12-18, and for CAP senior members, age 18 and
above. For more information on Civil Air Patrol please contact 1st Lt Justin Ogden, Commander of Mid-State
Composite Squadron 239, at 814-762-8024. Or visit the Mid-State 239 website at www.midstatecap.org.

Civil Air Patrol Cadets Change Command

BUTLER COUNTY AIRPORT – PENN TWP., Pa. — On Monday, June 4th, Squadron 712 of the Civil Air Patrol
will witness the changeover of Cadet Commanders at 7:30 PM at the Squadron Headquarters at the Butler County
Airport. The incoming Cadet Commander, Cadet Second Lieutenant Kenneth Berkopec is a junior at Mars Area
High School and has been a cadet since 2005. The outgoing commander, Cadet Zachary Marcurak, is a sophomore
at Penn State New Kensington and is an alumnus of Knoch High School. Cadet Macurak has been Commander
since May of 2005. During his tenure, the cadet program has increased from a mere 5 cadets to over 25 presently.

Cadet Berkopec will also be receiving his General Billy Mitchell Award at the ceremony, presented by Colonel
Daryl Hartman, Commander of the Air Force Reserve’s 910th Operations Group, based in Youngtown, Ohio. This
award is earned after completing the first eight achievements of the cadet program and successful completion of an
arduous 100 question examination. This comprehensive exam covers leadership theory and aerospace topics.
Since its inception over 30 years ago, over 56,000 cadets have earned this honor. Cadet Berkopec’s family will be
present to witness this significant achievement. A reception will follow the ceremony for all parents of cadets.

Major Jeffrey Hartmann, Commander

Squadron 712
6 SQUADRON NEWS continued
Golden Triangle Composite
Photos provided by: Squadron Honor Guard:
Bill Pulkownik C/1Lt Andrew Gracey
SW PA Media Coordinator C/Amn Mike Brown
C/CMSgt Brian Lonto
PA House of Representatives
C/2Lt Jessica Magrino
Democratic Caucus C/SSgt Josh Deleuze
National Anthem:
C/Capt Mike Bilz
Senior Members:
Maj Bob Frost,
Group One Commander
1Lt Mike Lonto,
MLO Squadron 603
 SQUADRON NEWS continued 7

Squadron 603 and Group One Honor World War II Veterans

Early in April, State Representative Nick Kotik, 45th Legislative District, Coraopolis, PA, contacted Major Bob
Frost, Group One Commander, and requested a color guard for a special upcoming event to honor local surviving
World War II Veterans. The ceremony was scheduled for Saturday afternoon on 12 May 2007 at the Veterans of
Foreign Wars, Post 402 in the town of Coraopolis, PA. Without hesitation, Major Frost accepted the invitation and
made the additional offer of having Civil Air Patrol C/Capt Mike Bilz sing our National Anthem. The offer was
accepted by Representative Kotik and planning was immediately initiated for the event.
Saturday 12 May turned out to be the perfect type of day for honoring this special group of WW II Veterans. The
sky was clear and the weather picture perfect as over one hundred Veterans and family members fill VFW Post 402’s
assembly hall. It was an amazing sight to see so many men and women dressed in the various service uniforms and
head gear from the different military branches in which they served during the World War. It was even more amaz-
ing that many of the Veterans still fit into the uniforms they wore more than sixty years ago! The VFW assembly
hall was decked out in red, white and blue banners and a large table positioned at the front of the hall was covered
with commemorative metals and certificates to be awarded each Veteran by State Representative Kotik.
Golden Triangle Composite Squadron 603’s Honor Guard opened the ceremony with a flawless presentation of
our National Colors. American pride was evident on the faces and in the eyes of the Veterans who stood at attention
and saluted as the honor guard maneuvered from the back to the front of the assembly hall. While the Pennsylvania
State and Squadron 603’s flags were dipped to honor the Stars and Stripes, C/Capt Mike Bilz began singing the
National Anthem. And then slowly, one-by-one, the anthem inspired each Veteran to join with C/Capt Bilz as he
sang – What a wonderful sound they made as the National Anthem filled the hall!
Following the presentation, State Representative Kotik sent Major Bob Frost an Email which said: “It was an
honor to have you and the Civil Air Patrol participate in my World War II Event. Please extend to your officers
(Honor Guard and National Anthem singer), my deepest appreciation for honoring our Veterans.” Major Frost also
learned from the ceremony organizers the saddening fact that during the several months of planning, five of the
Veterans to be honored had passed away - but, we can still honor their memory and the sacrifices they each made.
8 PA WING NEWS continued
The Wright Opportunity
The opportunity for one to partake in special military activities that are generally off-limits to citizens
seem to flourish in The Civil Air Patrol. For example; when was the last time a civilian you know was
allowed to drive onto a active military airbase, board an official training mission military aircraft, be
flown in that aircraft to another USAF airbase hundreds of miles-away, after which that person was also
allowed to borrow a USAF airbase passenger van to travel to the airbase dining hall for dinner, the
base's museums for touring, and on to the base's billet-hotel for a good nights sleep? Unless you are
active military, this is not possible, except if you are a member of the Civil Air Patrol!
Opportunities like these are alive and well, thanks to the efforts of Civil Air Patrol officers such as
Captain Dan Pompei. The Captain, PA Wing’s Military Airlift Coordinator, offered seventeen cadet and
seven senior PA Wing members from Friday April 27th to Sunday the 29th of this year, the ability to
enjoy activities that most persons are not permitted to experience. Allow me to expound.
The official agenda for this great long-weekend started something like this: Friday 9:00, meet and
sign-in at Pittsburgh's 911th USAFR Airbase, load and depart at 11:00 on the USAFR C-130 "Flight 93"
on-route to Wright-Patterson USAF Airbase, once landed and on base at 12:00 proceed to base-ops to
obtain two twelve-passenger USAF vans for the weekend. Now mobile on-base, drive to the base dining
hall for lunch at 12:30, after which at 13:30 board and tour a C-5 USAF aircraft, then at 14:30, tour the
base's security forces facilities.

(story continued on page 9)

Members of the CAP in front of the C-5 Aircraft just toured.

 PA WING NEWS continued 9

We are not done yet! Next, travel across base to the Wright-Patterson Museum by 16:00 for the IMAX
Theater's last of the day's showing of "The Magic of Flight". These activities were then followed with a
17:15 dinner, again at the dining hall, an 18:15 arrival at the base hotel for check-in, a 19:00 departure for
the base's bowling alley for the evening events, and finally a 22:15 arrival back to the hotel for a 23:00
"lights-out". Does that sound military and organized enough for you? Let me hear a whoo-rah!
After a busy first day, the next morning's reveille at 6:30 started Saturday's full schedule with breakfast
at the dining hall, and on to the Wright-Patterson Museum, this time for independent touring of these super
aircraft exhibits. Believe me, one day is not enough time to see this gigantic place of history. The National
Museum of the United States Air Force is the largest and oldest aviation museum of the USAF. The amount
of information to one available in the main museum, in the presidential aircraft and research/test hangers,
or just outside on the tarmac and in the memorial park is astounding. Just the main museum alone is made
up of five great galleries. The first after passing through the entrance lobby and the gift shop is the "Early
Years Gallery". This rare exhibit of early military aircraft, both lighter-than-air and heavier-than-air, con-
tinues on into a fantastic collection of both fabric covered WW I aircraft and extraordinary early aluminum
skinned 1940"s "between-the-wars" pursuits, dive-bombers, and bombers. The second gallery, the "Air
Power Gallery" is the WWII exhibit. It is filled wing-tip to wing-tip with many of the famous aircraft that
made history from the first USAAF pursuits that got airborne to battle the Japanese in the skies above
Pearl Harbor to "Bockcar" the B-29's that dropped an atom bomb on Nagasaki, Japan.
As one walks through the museum, between the Main Galleries, linking exhibits display historic uni-
forms, highlight important individuals and lead one through a hall of-fame that invites visitors from one
gallery to the next. The "Modern Flight Gallery" is as it sounds, loaded with post WW II aircraft, early
jets, and experimental aircraft, including the prototype of the F/A raptor and the unmanned Predator,
which fill the large hall. After passing through a Berlin Wall Check-point one finds one-self in the "Cold
War Gallery", also filled with historic aircraft such as the B-36J Bomber and missiles such as the Snark
SM62.

(story continued on page 10).

CAP members in front of another history maker, a B-47.

 10 PA WING NEWS continued
A historic CAP aircraft hanging from the rafters in the
Presidential / Research and Test Gallery.
Cadets playing cards during the C-130 flight to Wright
Patterson USAF base.
Seniors Capt Dan Pompei, 2Lt Catherine Crawford, and
2Lt Dan Wilson in the cockpit with a C-5 crew member.
A picture perfect photo souvenir.
The Wright Opportunity continued from page 9
This area leads into the final unbelievable exhibit the "Missile
and Space Gallery". Impressive Redstone, Thor, Jupiter, and
other historic rockets dwarf all the past seen museum's historic
aircraft.
After a full day of enjoying the massive exhibits, members
viewed another two fantastic IMAX showings, "Fighter Pilot"
and "Space Station", before leaving the museum for the day.
Saturday evening included dinner at the dining hall, which by-
the-way serves very good chow at very reasonable prices, fol-
lowed by a trip to the airbase's family center for some ping-
pong, billiards, and computer games before heading back to the
hotel for a good nights rest.
Sunday morning rolled around too soon. It was already
time to checkout of the hotel, and drive to the dining hall for
breakfast, but it was not over yet. Captain Pompei still had
more events planned for the group before leaving Dayton,
Ohio. A tour of the Huffman Prairie Flying Field and Wright
Brothers Memorial was the perfect ending to this great event.
US National Park Rangers enlightened members with "The
Wright Brothers Story" movie, a tour of the Wright Flight
Museum and a personal guided tour to the Huffman Prairie
Flying Field where the Wright Brothers built their hanger, per-
fected the principles of flight, and tested their many aircraft
back in the early 1900's.
With a full three-day weekend of learning it was time for
the return flight. Departing from Wright Patterson USAF Base,
CAP members flew back to Pittsburgh on the same C-130 that
had taken them out. The "Flight 93" was returning from its
official mission on the west coast and had scheduled the stop at
Wright Patterson for the CAP pick-up. Upon arrival at the
911th Captain Pompei properly dismissed the assorted twenty-
four members of Squadrons 122, 123, 502, 603, 604, 605, 712,
and 714, of PAWG. The Captain was also kind enough not dis-
cipline the two senior officers responsible for the unauthorized
group stop, between museum trips, at the local Dairy Queen.
Thanks Captain! The rest is history.
Why does one join the Civil Air Patrol? Is it for the mili-
tary contact, the historic value, or other educational reasons?
Or maybe it is for service to one's country or service to the
United States Air Force. Each of us have our own reasons and
all of these opportunities are available weekly at CAP meetings
and exercises, but one thing is for sure, if you want all these
opportunities found in one fantastic experience, I recommend
an Military Airlift Weekend.
- Lt Patrick Nicholson PAO, Squadron 603
(photo credits page 8 through 10 - Lt Patrick Nicholson)
 PA WING NEWS continued 11

PA MEMBER ALSO SERVES AS A MEMBER OF THE

COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE DELAWARE VALLEY WING
The familiar face caught in this photo is Colonel Paul R. Kopczynski, Pennsylvania Wing Historian. Colonel
Kopczynski, a member of the Commemorative Air Force, Delaware Valley Wing. is a "back seat guy" when crewing
a replica Mitsubishi B5N2 Model 12 "Kate" Japanese Torpedo
Bomber which was used in the original filming of the movie Tora
Tora Tora. This same aircraft is used in the bombing of Pearl
Harbor reenactment at airshows across the country. The aircraft
shown is owned by Colonel Skip Rawson, Wing leader of the
Delaware Valley Wing. This Kate is one of five Kates used in the
shows and is based in Pearland Texas, home base for several dif-
ferent Tora aircraft during the airshow season.
All of us have seen many times the films of the attack on Pearl
harbor. To have flown with this group during practice sessions
when the full complement of Zero's Val's Claude's and Kates are in
the air takes you back in time to that fateful day and what it was
like for the Japanese flying that day. For Col Kopczynski it has
been one of the biggest highlights of his career.

Units from PA Participate in the McGuire Air Force Base Air Show
CAP cadets and senior members from PA and neighboring states, numbering the thousands, attended and assisted
at the McGuire Air Force Base Air Show on May 11, 12 and 13. Various activities were held for those that partici-
pated. (Photo below; contributed by Captain William Parish.)

Pictured is a formation of cadets on the McGuire Airstrip prior to the social activity on Friday evening.
12 SENIOR MEMBER NEWS

CAP Pilot Goes Vertical

Lt Col (retired Army National Guard Brigadier General) Chuck Bechtel, just passed his FAA check ride for his
Private Certificate for rotorcraft—helicopter. He is also a flight instructor for gliders, single engine airplanes
(land and sea), and airplane instruments. He also holds a commercial certificate for airplane— multi-engine
land. Most of the helicopter training was done in a Bell 47D at Lancaster Airport.

In the above photos, the first official passenger for Lt Col Bechtel is Major Bruce Russell. Lt Col “B” said of
his first trip with a passenger, “Bruce only looked concerned a couple times when he would ask questions like,
what’s that funny noise.”

Lt Col Bechtel is a past commander of Group 2 and Squadron 403 (Ft. Indiantown Gap). He is a retired mili-
tary officer who spent 36 years of active service with the US Army and the Army National Guard. He is a CAP
instructor pilot, check pilot of check pilots, a mission pilot and a mission check pilot. He is presently the
Group 2 Standards and Evaluation Officer and an Incident Commander. He presently works as a Brigade
Integrator with the Force Management Division at the National Guard Bureau in Arlington, VA.

The flying bug bit him really hard about twelve years ago when he got his private airplane certificate through
the Fort Indiantown Gap Flying Club. He said, “I have never taken a biennial flight review as required by
Federal aviation regulations, instead I just get another rating. Every time I prepare for another rating through
study and the flying experience required it makes me a better, safer pilot. Besides flying is my hobby. My
wife would say, my obsession.”

“Flying a glider is a completely different experience than flying a helicopter but they are both a lot of fun. A
seaplane is literally a cross between a motorboat and an airplane and what a way to travel to your favorite fish-
ing spot or anchor in your favorite quiet cove”, Bechtel continued.

The pursuit of the next rating starts this Thursday when he will have his first helicopter training session for:
instrument—helicopter at Frederick Maryland in a Robinson 22.

Going up anyone?
 SENIOR MEMBER NEWS continued 13

CAP MEMBER ALSO VOLUNTEERS

FOR U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY

I have been in the Civil Air Patrol now for almost 17

years. In that time I have advanced from Senior
Member to Captain, this after many years of taking
tests, classes, and the like. I have advanced to Level IV
quite recently. But not taking anything away from the
Civil Air Patrol, I am also a member of the United
States Coast Guard Auxiliary. I have been a member of
said organization now for going on four years. After
Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Shores of Louisiana,
many organizations were called to respond to the area
for help. The organizations called upon for help were
many; the American Red Cross, FEMA, the Civil Air
Patrol, the Louisiana National Guard, all local and state
organizations. Also called upon to assist these people
hit hard by the hurricane was the United States Coast
Guard and its Auxiliary. These organization did what no
other organizations could do; they offered assistance,
help, comfort, strength, and did these things without
thinking of one's self. They perform above and beyond
the call of duty. Those that participated were rewarded
with thanks and admiration for a job well done.
Being a member of the USCG Auxiliary, I didn't expect any rewards nor accolades for doing what needed to be
done, but things have a way of changing. On 5 May 2007, President Bush announced that each and every member
of the United States Coast Guard, either active, reserve, or its auxiliary personnel, would be awarded the Presidential
Unit Citation for Actions connected with relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina. This citation is not awarded random-
ly in the Coast Guard; this award ranks well in the upper four or five of the nation's highest awards. Although, I
will display it proudly, I believe that the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama should be the ones awarded.
And we can do so with our prayers and thoughts, as they attempt to get their lives back in order.

- Adam W. Wenclewicz, CAPT, CAP

Commander, Phila Comp Sq 102
!
O ON I I
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C O I SI T I E O G S L
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14 AEROSPACE EDUCATION NEWS
AEROSPACE NEWS continued 15
16 AEROSPACE NEWS continued
 NATIONAL NEWS 17

PA WING HOST NATIONAL FINANCIAL SUMMIT

Pennsylvania Wing Civil Air Patrol hosted a financial summit at its headquarters on the weekend of May 16.
Buzzing with financial communications, the group held discussions, hands on exercises and compared notes.
As part of the event, several National and Region financial officers visited the Hawk Mountain Ranger School
property. Located in the beautiful Blue Mountains, of Berks County, the visitors had a chance to check out the
facilities, including some of the training apparatus.
Focus of the meeting was Wing Banker Program implementation for all CAP Wings. PA Wing shared the
results of their program with the group. This input will be valuable in assisting other wings with this transition.
Other topics were the development of the NHQ Financial website, best practice examples from all wings, creation
of the NHQ Financial Newsletter, Region Director's of Finance and Tail Number accounting.

Attendees:
Brig Gen Paul Bergman, Board of Governors CAP Maj Beverly Miller, West Virginia Wing Director of Finance
Col Fredric Weiss, National Finance Officer Phil Richardson, PA Wing Bookkeeper
Col Rodney Moody, National Controller Deborah Lowtharp, NHQ Deputy Director of Finance
Col Russell Chazell, Rocky Mountain Region Commander Robin Vest, NHQ Wing Financial Analyst (WFA)
Susan Easter, NHQ Chief Financial Officer Meredith Mayes, NHQ WFA
Billy Daniels, Wilson, Price, Barranco, Blankenship Keith Baker, NHQ WFA
& Billingsley, PC (National Auditor) Keith Barnhart, NHQ WFA
Maj DeEtte Riley, PA Wing Director of Finance Stacy Jackson, NHQ WFA
Maj Ron Mongillo, FL Wing Director of Finance
Photo credits; Lt Linda A. Irwin

One of the many discussions where ideas and The attendees continue to address the program and
comments were shared during the FM Summit ways in which they can assist other Wings.
Photo credits; Mr. Phil Richardson

Taking time to pose for Photos at the Some of the attendees decided to “rise to the occasion”
Hawk Mountain Training Site. at the Hawk Mountain Ranger School training site.
 18
ADDITIONAL SQUADRON NEWS
THINGS ARE LOOKING UP FOR SQUADRON 102

Philadelphia Composite Squadron 102 surely has had its ups and down! From a dwindling cadet attendance,
plus a senior officer non-availability, but things are looking up. In the past year we as a squadron have increased
cadet and senior participation three fold. We have enlarged our squadron by leaps and bounds. As of this news
story our cadet roster lists over 17 cadets and 14 seniors. In the next few months we are looking at recruiting
another three or four cadets and paperwork has been submitted to National to allow two more seniors to "enlist"
into Squadron 102. I, as Commander, welcome these dedicated individuals to the Civil Air Patrol and I know
their experience and expertise will be a valuable asset to the Unit.
With this in mind, I am proud to announce that two of our cadets are moving on to bigger and better things.
C/SMSgt Joshua Bram has been accepted and will be attending Emery-Riddle this August. He has displayed a
loyal and steadfast mutational drive towards his CAP career and his studies towards this entrance into Emery-
Riddle. He has also been nominated by his Commander for the Citizenship of the Year Award held annually at the
Union League in Philadelphia. C/SMSgt Bram is hoping that his education at Emery-Riddle opens the door to a
career in the United States Air Force. Being duly proud of another cadet of Squadron 102, C/CMSgt Andrew
Jenkins, who quite recently entered the Philadelphia Police Academy. He will undergo 6 months of intense train-
ing and extreme hardships but knowing C/CMSgt Jenkins determination and pure "espirt de corp", he should
graduate from the Police Academy with honors.
I do not want to overlook the endeavors of nine of our other fine cadets, Cadets; Bram, Brown, Feldman,
Hoger, Lee, Malahov, McGrath, Milhalek, and Sands. During the weekend of April 20-22, these nine cadets
accompanyed by senior officers, William Sands, Linda Sands, Maria Lee, Daniel Smith, Susan Valent and myself,
traveled to the New Jersey Pine Barrens where these fine young men and women learned basic survival skills, i.e.,
learning to build a survival shelter out of whatever they had available to them and learned to set up a basic camp
site. They also learned a valuable lesson, cadets and seniors alike. After sleeping in tents, the ground beneath
them did not feel like their feathered beds at home! Both the seniors and cadets slept beneath the stars at night
and lived to tell about it. Meals were cooked over an open fire and everyone participated in the clean-up after-
wards. The cadets and senior staff were reminded all too clearly that life in the wild did not come with lavish
bathroom facilities, as we all had to use the "outside" latrine.
I feel very proud of my staff and the cadets of Squadron 102. In the next few weeks we will have eight or
nine cadets to attend Encampment 2007. We have two cadets attending Power Flight Encampment - Cadets Bram
and Feldman. In addition, Cadet Alexander Couto will be attending Power Glider Encampment. Yes, Squadron
102 was once a small and unnoticed squadron but things like I said are looking up. The key to advancement is
pure preservation and hard work, I have been associated with CAP now for 17 years and I cannot feel anymore
prouder than I feel now.

- Adam W. Wenclewicz, CAPT, CAP

Commander, Phila Comp Sq 102

THE DELMONT SQUADRON

MEET SENATOR
BOB REGOLA
AND THE PIRATE PARROT
AT THE GREENSBURG
COMMUNITY DAY’S EVENT
MAY 2007
 ADDITIONAL SQUADRON NEWS continued 19

CAP
Members honors
of Units those that
from the have
Group 1 sacrificed
area, their lives
march in a in
Memorial defense
Day of our
Parade. country.
20 ADDITIONAL SQUADRON NEWS
SQUADRON 902
FLIES ON USAF C-17
GLOBEMASTER AIRCRAFT

Article & Photos by 2nd Lt Donald Pond, Squadron. 902

On 6 May 2007, Willow Grove JRB, Squadron 902

flew in a USAF C-17 Globemaster aircraft. The flight was
with the 732nd Airlift Squadron “Rams”, part of the 514th
Air Mobility Wing stationed out of McGuire AFB, NJ.
The pilot was Lieutenant Colonel Berkowitz, Co-pilot
Lieutenant Colonel Knox and the Load Masters were
Master Sergeant’s Kean and Oxley. A USAF Medical
Evacuation Group and a total of 35 CAP members were
on the flight. The CAP members were comprised of 33
Senior Officers, Cadets from Squadron 902, 1 Senior
Officer from 907 and PAWG’s Captain Pompei.
The C-17 departed McGuire AFB around 0900 hours
for a five hour flight heading North up the Atlantic Coast
to establish in-flight training that involved low level
approaches at Westover AFB, Massachusetts, and, regular
touch and goes, a single engine-out landing, an assault
landing, combat off-loading, and a combat climb-out were
performed at McGuire AFB, New Jersey. An aerial refuel-
ing was performed with a KC-10 aircraft at 25,000 feet
over the Atlantic Ocean. The most exciting point was the
“mock cabin decompression emergency” that was fol-
lowed by a 10,000-foot rapid decent. The USAF Medical
Evacuation group that was on the flight was trained for
high altitude medical emergencies and used this opportuni-
ty to further their training. During one of their training
evolutions, they conducted a mock cardiac arrest in the
payload section of the aircraft while in flight. Once on the
ground, there was some after flight chatter and a cadet was
heard saying “the rapid decent drill was more fun than any
roller coaster ride; we experienced negative G’s when the
pilot leveled off the aircraft!”
When Squadron 902 Commander Major Postupack was
asked what her most impressive parts of the flight was, her
response was “the professionalism and courtesy extended
to all of the CAP members by the Air Force pilots and
flight crew and the opportunity to visit the cockpit to wit-
ness mid–air refueling. All are especially grateful for the
flying opportunity that 732nd Airlift Squadron provided.”
A special thanks goes to Captain Pompei and USAF
Senior Airmen Walker (1Lt at Squadron. 902), who both
played a role in coordinating this event. Photo credits; 2nd Lt Donald Pond
CADET ORIENTATION FLIGHTS 21
 FORMER
CADET LT COL,
ALEX HANNA
APPROACHES THE
COMMANDER
AND CHIEF,
PRESIDENT
GEORGE W. BUSH,
TO RECEIVE HIS
DIPLOMA DURING
THE 2004 U.S. AIR
FORCE ACADEMY
GRADUATION
CEREMONY.

(See story on pages 1)

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