Danville featured in Wing reorganization

Danville's squadron commander for eight years moves on to command of Group 1 December 6.

Major Eugene F. Jackson will assume command of the group from Major Fletcher Earles, Martinsville Composite Squadron, in a change-of-command ceremony at Wing's December commander's call. (story)

Danville's Deputy Commander, 1st. Lt. Mark Evans, will take command of the Danville Composite Squadron in a local ceremony December 4.

Earles has commanded Group 1 since 1997.

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In his announcement of the forthcoming changes, Wing Commander Col. Timothy Cramer said "Major Earles will be taking a special interest assignment aimed at the development of Air Crews and mission readiness in the Group 1 operational area."

Jackson joined the Civil Air Patrol in 1996. He is a CAP Pilot.

"I have enjoyed watching the squadron grow and develop from one where we once worried about having enough staff to hold any meetings to the present situation where we could add a second floor to our building and still need more room," said Jackson in a letter to squadron members. "To say I am proud of each and every member, cadet and senior, is an understatement,

"You truly are the 'Squadron of the Year' for CAP and I am so honored to have been part of this success story."

The Danville Composite Squadron was named Virginia's 2003 Squadron of the Year in October.

Evans joined the Civil Air Patrol in 2001, and is currently serving as the squadron's deputy commander.

"I joined to participate with (son) Nathaniel and I did not want to sit around and do nothing," said Evans. "The more I got involved the more I enjoyed it.

"When I started working with others around the state I was hooked. CAP has some of the most dedicated and 'can-do' people I know and it makes me better to be around seniors and cadets that epitomize excellent in character and performance."

He is a 2002 graduate of Squadron Leadership School and 2003 graduate of CAP Senior Officer Course. He holds a senior track level in Aerospace Education and is the unit's primary testing officer. He is also a Yeager Senior Award recipient.

Evans has attended two encampments in prior years, and will serve as deputy encampment commander in 2004. He has participated as a tactical officer for two FTX's and spent a year as the Group 1 Cadet programs officer.

Group 1 headquarters will be transferred to Danville following the December 6 ceremony. Group 1 assets, including communications equipment and aircraft will also be transferred.

Squadron members victimized in community training effort

It all started as a typical Virginia summer day ... hot and muggy. The type of day that typically sees some thunderstorm activity.

The national weather service has issued thunderstorm watches for the afternoon and as students and faculty eat lunch at Chatham Middle School, the watches are upgraded to warnings.

Soon after, the tornado warning sirens compete with the shattering of glass for attention as the northwest corner of the building is consumed by at F-3 category tornado.

Victims of mother nature's fury, haphazardly scattered about, are played by members CAP's Danville Composite Squadron during a Pittsylvania County Community Emergency Response Team exercise November 15.

"Squadron participants were excellent!" said James E. Davis, exercise coordinator. "They role played perfectly. Everyone took the scenario serious and that made it work"

Students were placed in positions and assigned "injuries" prior to the exercise start at Chatham Middle School, Virginia. CERT members had to "find" and rescue the victims, and provide aid as they had been trained.

Members of the Danville Squadron participating include Nathaniel Evans, April Hylton, A.J. Ingle, Kirsten Buslinger, Amanda Wagstaff, Viveka Thompson, Dustin Conner, Justine Cherochak, Cory Lawless, Dean Redd, Mark Evans, Virginia Hylton, Jerry Ingle, Ruth Buslinger and Deborah Wagstaff.

CERT members Cheryl Jackson (left) and Elizabeth Shorter evaluate the status of a victim, role played by Kirsten Buslinger.

CERT team members works to free Amanda Wagstaff from wreckage strewn about during the November 16 exercise. From left - Robert Carter, Jane Leonard, Karen Ruetter and Russell Taylor.

2004 Encampment Information Released

Encampment is currently set (tentative dates, but not expected to change) for Ft. Pickett, VA from 24th of June to 3rd of July.

All cadets applying for encampment, but not for staff positions are considered "basic" cadets. Please follow the below directions for sending applications. Call for Basic Applications is OPEN (This means you can apply now!) Space may be limited, therefore it is best to get on the acceptance list As Soon As Possible!

This year there will be a Financial Aid Application for those cadets who cannot afford to pay for encampment. Financial Aid for Encampment is based on financial need, and can pay for part or all of the encampment costs for a cadet. Equipment and necessary uniforms can also be received as part of this financial aid. To apply for financial aid, please send a letter stating your member information (name, ID, Squadron, age), as well as a description of your financial situation to dcp.va@vawg.cap.gov. All information in a financial aid application will be considered confidential. Only the Director of Cadet Programs (Capt Andrea Elmer) and the Assistant Director of Cadet Programs (Capt Christina McCranie) will have access to your letter. Don't let cost be the reason you don't attend encampment!

When: 

Received By:	Acceptance List Posted:	Price:
31 December 2003	15 January 2004	$100
31 January 2004	15 February 2004	$105
28 February 2004	15 March 2004	$110
31 March 2004	15 April 2004	$115
30 April 2004	15 May 2004	$120
31 May 2004	15 June 2004	$125

Where: Wing HQ, 7401 Airfield Dr, Richmond, VA 23237 or fax.

How to Apply: Please send CAPF 31 (signed by your parents and squadron commander) to Wing HQ. You will be billed after the acceptance list is posted.

Andrea Elmer, Capt
Director of Cadet Programs
VAWG, CAP
 

Virginia Wing reorganizes in December

There are big changes for the some members of the Virginia wing on tap for December 1.

In an email to wing members November 11, Col. Timothy Cramer announced the breakup of Group 2, and a new commander for Group 1.

"These changes are aimed at improving the opportunities for all unit members to become more involved in Wing activities, training and missions," said Cramer. "The larger groups will present a bigger 'critical mass' of people who can assist in ES and other mission training, provide for cadet program expansion and improvement, better utilize the existing aircraft and vehicle assets, and support smaller units in all operational aspects of the organization."

Under the reorganization, all Group 2 squadrons will be assigned to other Groups. Lynchburg Composite Squadron will move to Group 1, Augusta and Shenandoah Squadron will move to Group 3, and Miller School and Monticello squadrons will move to Group 4.

Group 1 command will move from Maj. Fletcher Earls to Maj. Eugene F. Jackson of the Danville Composite Squadron. Group 1 headquarters will move to Danville.

"Major Earles has served the Wing in an exemplary manner by taking a personal interest in the welfare and development of both senior members and cadet members at the individual units within Group 1 operational areas., said Cramer. "He has worked diligently to bring effective emergency services mission pilots and ground teams to a state of readiness."

 

"I expect to see Group I become a leader among peers in the Wing" Colonel Timothy Cramer Commander, Virginia Wing CAP

Danville Composite Squadron's growth from less than 10 members just a few years ago to nearly 90 members today got the colonel's attention as it came time for selecting a new Group 1 commander.

"My expectation for Major Jackson is as he assumes these new responsibilities for the group include a continuation of the proven recruiting and retention policies that have been so effective at Danville, and incorporation of the same policies to make Group I a more active and vibrant part of the Virginia Wing," said Cramer. "With the assistance of Major Earles in the special development role, I expect to see Group I become a leader among peers in the Wing."

 1st Lt. Mark Evans will take command of the Danville Squadron December 4.

"I have given great consideration to possible alternatives, but have concluded that structural changes are needed to provide effective and continuing opportunity for training, mission participation and use of CAP resources," said Cramer.

Group 1 assets and equipment will move to Danville when Jackson takes command. Group 2 assets will remain where they are until an asset review is completed in the next few weeks. 

Squadron makes most of weekend training

Twenty two Civil Air Patrol members graduated Squadron Leadership School November 9 in Danville.

Following SLS classes, 33 seniors and cadets alike attended a local radio operator course.

SLS provides seniors a formal introduction to the functions and workings of CAP at the squadron level. The course is required of any senior member wishing to progress through the CAP ranks beyond first lieutenant.

The basic radio operator's course is required of many ES ratings, and is part of the Danville Squadron's effort to become mission ready.

Majors John Schumacher and Fletcher Earles presented SLS topics during the two day SLS course.

1st Lt. John Powers taught the basic and advanced radio operator's course.

In Virginia, Squadron Leadership School is traditionally held only at Wing Headquarters, with an average class size of between four and 10 members.

Major John Schumacher
 

Major Fletcher Earles
 

1st Lt. John Powers
 

Danville Squadron fields mission-ready teams

Danville Composite Squdron qualified three senior members in Urban Direction Finding skills during a training class at Blacksburg, Va.

2nd Lt. Deborah Wagstaff, 2nd Lt. Ron Howard and Maj. Eugene Jackson completed the course November 2.

With the training complete, the three squadron members now carry mission pagers should their skills be required.

A UDF training course for the remainder of the squadron is planned for mid-December.

2nd Lt. Deborah Wagstaff and Major Eugene F. Jackson plot their search area during a Unrban Direction Finding Course November 1 in Blacksburg, Va.

 

2nd Lt. Ron Howard uses the L-PER to home in on an ELT signal during the Urban Direction Finding Course in Blacksburg, Va.

Virginia DEQ to crack down on improper disposal of AVGAS

Virginia pilots need to start re-evaluating how they dispose of sumped fuel if their current procedure doesn't meet Virginia Department of Environmental Quality regulations.

Failure to do so could cost $100,000 and a year in jail per incident.

Capt. Scott Hutchinson, commander of the Prince William Composite Squadron in Manassas, Virginia, recently warned CAP members in an email to wing mailing list subscribers that state officials will soon begin an active program to inspect all airports and government facilities for compliance with their program.

In a nutshell, AVGAS may not be dumped on the ground or allowed to evaporate into the environment.

"Fortunately, our entire Virginia Wing fleet is equipped with GATS fuel testing jars that enable pilots to safely recover any fuel drained from the wing tank sumps and properly dispose of this fuel through the TATS jar filter back into the aircraft wing tangs," said Hutchinson. "Our squadron is currently devising a means by which these same GATS jars will also enable the collection of fuel removed from the carburetor drain, which must not be allowed to spill onto the ground."

While much of these was brought to light during a local pilot's meeting in Manassas, the information highlighted applies to all airports and pilots in the state.

Personal beacon used in first rescue

11/17/2003 - LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) -- A Cleveland man was rescued Nov. 14 through the help of a personal locator beacon and efforts of Air Force Rescue Coordination Center officials here.

The rescue marks the first such use of personal locator beacons in the contiguous United States.

Carl Skalak was in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York when he was snowed in at his campsite. Faced with frigid weather, 4-foot snow drifts and a frozen river that he had paddled in on, Skalak activated his beacon, alerting the rescue center of a distress. The center is the single federal agency for search and rescue in the 48 contiguous states.

Center officials received the distress call at 10:45 a.m. EST via the Search and Rescue Satellite Air Tracking System, which is operated by people at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

When the beacon alert came in, center officials notified the appropriate state emergency-rescue agency, said Lt. Col. Scott Morgan, the center's commander. In this case, the Herkimer County (N.Y.) Sheriff’s Department worked with the center and provided information to the U.S. Forest Service at Watson East Triangle.

"The center has many resources available to dispatch on a moment's notice to aid in search-and-rescue efforts," Morgan said. "The beacons help pinpoint the location of a person in distress."

Because of heavy snows, forest service rangers were unable to reach Skalak’s campsite and requested flight assistance. The rescue center scrambled the Fort Drum Air Ambulance Detachment, which launched a UH-1 Huey helicopter and medical team to assist in the search effort.

Upon arriving on scene, the rescue crew received a flashlight signal from Skalak who was then airlifted to Fort Drum for medical evaluation before being released.

"A thank you doesn’t even begin to cover my appreciation," Skalak said. "I am profoundly thankful for all those who were willing to put themselves in harm's way on my behalf. Many terrific people worked together to make this mission a success."

The team effort is what makes the beacon system a success, Morgan said.

“Working together, we have been able to establish a system that which allows for a quicker response by emergency personnel,” he said.

The beacon sends out digital-distress signals detected by NOAA's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites and Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellites.

The geostationary satellites, the first to detect a beacon’s distress signal, hover in a fixed orbit above Earth and receive the signals, which contain registration information about the beacon and its owner. The polar satellites constantly circle the globe, enabling them to capture and accurately locate the alerts to within a few miles.

When individuals purchase the beacons, they are required to register them with NOAA. This registration, according to NOAA officials, includes critical information such as the owner's name, address, telephone number and the beacon's identification number. When a distress signal is received, the information is checked against the database to determine the identity of the missing person.

"The beacon is an effective tool only if people take the time to register it," Morgan said. "With this information, the center can validate an alert with one phone call to the emergency contact number on the registration."

The system worked like a gem, said NOAA officials.

"This particular rescue demonstrates how well our agencies work together when it comes to saving a life," said Ajay Mehta, of the NOAA. "The AFRCC, in particular, has really taken the lead for implementing (the beacons) across the nation and has worked with us and the states to ensure a robust search and rescue network was in place. This first rescue is a testament to our collective efforts.”

The lifesaving satellite-tracked distress alerts carried by aviators and mariners became available to outdoor adventurers July 1. Previously, these beacons were only available for personal use in Alaska under a test program to evaluate the usefulness in search and rescue. The success seen in Alaska paved the way for the technology to be used throughout the rest of the nation. (Courtesy of Air Force Special Operations Command News Service. NOAA Public Relations contributed to this story.)