May 2007 - Vol.

35

THE KEYSTONE WING SLIP FORMER DOYLESTOWN SQUADRON

907 CADET IS AWARDED WITH
THE CAP HONOR ROLL AND
MARSHALL SCHOLARSHIP
(See story on page 2)

Bob Campbell

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY CADET,

1ST CLASS CHRISTOPHER CAMPBELL
 SCHOLARSHIP/AWARD INFORMATION

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
 THE KEYSTONE WING SLIP
May 2007
Official Magazine of
Pennsylvania Wing
Civil Air Patrol
"C/Col Spillane is only the 2nd cadet in the 50 year history of
U.S. Air Force Auxiliary

Squadron 904 to obtain the Spaatz FEATURED

Award,” said Captain Heather Sterner, STORIES
Commander of Squadron 904
(The following is Cadet Colonel Spillane’s story.)
ECHO PAPA
On December 15th, 1998, I joined Civil Air Patrol with an eager drive to fly and a
desire to be challenged. On April 23rd, 2007, I achieved the culminating milestone as
Cadet Colonel and Spaatz award recipient #1631. This award is far from the end of my
Civil Air Patrol career but it is a fitting time to reflect on the experiences I’ve gathered
in the past eight years and to share my best insight into how other cadets may achieve
the same success.
One slogan in particular stands as the keystone to all of my memories. In 2002
Lieutenant John Blumenfield, as commander of the Basic Staff Candidate Squadron,
introduced the concept of Effortless Perfection to my peers and I as we pursued recog-
nition as Hawk Mountain Ranger Staff. “Echo Papa” is the constant drive toward self CADET EARNS
development and a source of THE GENERAL
motivation for conquering every CARL A. SPAATZ
obstacle a person may encounter. AWARD
I challenge all cadets and seniors (CAP’S Highest
to take full advantage of the Cadet Award)
potential Civil Air Patrol has to See the story on
offer by taking these words to pages 1 and 6
heart.
If you push your limits and UPDATE
go beyond your honest best then Missing Person
there is no better accomplishment Search, Comes to
possible. As soon as you have A Tragic Ending
exceeded your goals and matched (See story on page 3)
the highest standard you could
realistically set for yourself, you Catch up on
have reached a temporary state of perfection. It does not matter if you are the fastest SQUADRON NEWS
cadet in your respective squadron, it does not matter if you are the sharpest, it only (Pages 7-11)
matters if you have the will power and stamina of character to constantly improve.
Every individual in this program can achieve the same awards and share in the same EDITORIAL
experience I have had if they pursue perfection with passion. (Page 14)
All of my fondest memories in this program are instances where I was challenged
and given the opportunity to strive for a new sense of accomplishment and a new goal.
CAP has a unique advantage to other programs because it offers every individual a
chance to be successful. As a twelve year old cadet Airman I felt enormous pride to be
able to just keep up with older and stronger cadets. As a young sergeant I had the
unique chance while staffing a Basic Encampment to experience leadership and to
overcome the difficulty in earning peers’ respect. As a cadet Captain I fulfilled my
unvarying desire to fly by excelling at the Glider Flight Encampment. As a Lieutenant
(story continued on page 6
 2 FORMER 907 CADET RECEIVES AWARDS
Former Doylestown cadet awarded with CAP Honor Roll and Marshall Scholarship.

Former Doylestown Squadron 907 cadet (PA Wing) and U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Christopher
Campbell was selected for the Civil Air Patrol Honor Roll, the award that recognizes the CAP cadet graduating with
the highest honors in his class. Campbell has exceeded all expectations. He credits some of his success to his activ-
ities in CAP. He and his proud parents thank all those in CAP who helped make his success possible.
Campbell was also awarded the Marshall Scholarship, the East Language Minor Award, and is a candidate for the
Aeronautical Engineering Department top graduate award.
The Marshall Scholarship will finance Campbell’s study for a graduate degree in the U.K. "I have always tried to
excel in everything that I do, including academics," said Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Christopher Campbell
originally from New Hope, PA. "In my sophomore year, I knew I wanted to attend graduate school, and I set a goal
for myself to earn some sort of scholarship. I never believed I had a chance to win a Marshall Scholarship."
Campbell holds a 4.0 GPA in both his aeronautical engineering major and his Japanese Language minor. In order
of merit, he ranked fifth out of 1,005 cadets in the class of 2007 based on academic, military, and athletic perform-
ance and has risen in numerous leadership and research positions.
With forty scholarships awarded annually and open to undergraduate students across the country, the competition
for the Marshall scholarship is fierce. With this scholarship, Campbell will pursue a two-year program for a masters
of science in artificial intelligence and control technology at the University of Cambridge. "I would like to apply
my research to unmanned aerial vehicles, vastly improving their capabilities and usefulness in the field," he said. "I
hope to become a test pilot, at which point I can put these new technologies to trial, and someday an astronaut
designing the systems that will take us back to the moon or even to Mars."
Created on July 31, 1953, by the British Parliament when the Marshall Aid Commemoration Act was established,
the scholarships serve as a living gift to the United States of America in recognition of the post World War II
European recovery effort most commonly known as the Marshall Plan.
Widely considered among the most prestigious awards a graduating American undergraduate can receive, the
Marshall Scholarships serve to provide highly qualified students with two fully funded years of study, with a possi-
ble third year extension, at any university in the United Kingdom. In addition to pure academic pursuits, the pro-
gram serves to provide the future leaders of America with an insight into the "British ideals and way of life" and
strengthen the "unique relationship" that exists between the United States and the United Kingdom.
“…I nearly fell over in shock.” said Campbell, “… I'll be spending two years in England studying. I hope to
serve as an ambassador for both the Academy and the United States. I can't wait to learn how to play cricket!"

- Annette Carlson, 1st Lt CAP

USAFA Cadet 1st Class Campbell in a F-16 at Lockheed-

Martin, Ft. Worth, TX during a summer 2006 research project.

Photo credit: Bob Campbell

Editor’s note:
On behalf of the readers of the Pennsylvania Civil Air Patrol’s
Keystone Wing Slip, we congratulate USAFA Cadet 1st Class
Campbell and wish him continued success in his future endeavors.
- 1Lt Linda A. Irwin
 MISSING PERSON UPDATE 3

Missing Person Last Seen on February 25, 2007 by Passing Motorist;

continued from April issue of the PA Wing Keystone Wing Slip
- 1st Lt Linda A. Irwin
John R. Orbach, left Evan’s Roadhouse Bar/Restaurant at approximately, 11:00 PM on foot on February 24,
2007. He was last seen at 1:00 AM on February 25, 2007 by a passing motorist who was driving by on St John’s
Road.
Mr. Orbach was known to have extensive knowledge of the surrounding terrain and had been known to walk
alone at night to his home via all the routes, which included trails and cross-country. Unfortunately, on this night,
Mr. Orbach was heavily inebriated when he left the Evans Roadhouse establishment.
CAP was called upon to help search for missing John R. Orbach on Saturday, February 28. Major Bret
Stemrich served as CAP’s ground branch director for the mission. The search was conducted along Orbach’s
known cross-country routes of travel. “Even though we were restricted to using a small team in the course of 6
sorties, the CAP members covered 881 acres of woodland. I was pleased by their efforts and cannot be more
proud of their determination, skill and dedication to their duties,” said Major Stemrich. A CAP aircraft, (C-182)
was used to evaluate the terrain and to conduct an air search. A hilly, wooded and snow covered area was
searched, but with deteriorating weather, there was unfortunately “no find”. On Saturday, March 3, the Butler
Township Police Department organized a large civilian assisted search
On Wednesday, April 18th the body of John Orbach, missing from Drums, PA since February 24th. was found.
The body was discovered along I-80 east by Craig Evans who spotted it when his vehicle broke down near the
site. It is believed that plow trucks, clearing the interstate from the Feb 24th storm, covered the body. Mr Orbach
was found on the northern boundary of the proposed sortie assignment 7. The CAP mission was closed before
the sortie could be initiated. “I would like to thank all the members from Group 2, Group 3, and Group 4 as well
as PAWG HQ that participated in the search effort,” said Major Bret J. Stemrich.
(All Credits) The Standard Speaker, April 18, 2007, Tom Ragan, Reporter
The body of John Orbach, who had been missing since the last weekend in February, was
found along Interstate 80 Wednesday afternoon, police said. The discovery was made by
Craig Evans of Mountain Top, who was traveling east when his vehicle developed a mechan-
ical problem at mile marker 261 between the junction of Interstates 80 and 81.
While waiting for a service truck to arrive, Evans and his daughter spotted the body in a
ditch in a wooded area about 50 feet from the right lane of highway and about one mile from
the exit to Route 309.
The police were notified about 3:30 p.m. The area in which Orbach’s body was discovered was also near a
wooded path that he would have taken walking home, according to Butler Township police.
Luzerne County Deputy Coroner Jeffrey Stock pronounced Orbach dead at 4:45 p.m. and the body was
removed and transported to Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, where an autopsy will be performed by Luzerne
County Coroner Dr. Jack Consalvo to determine the cause and manner of his death.
The 34-year-old Drums man had been missing since the last weekend of February. Hundreds of volunteers
formed several intense searches for Orbach through the week before calling off the search on March 3.
On Feb. 24, Orbach walked away from Evans’ Roadhouse at Route 309 and St. Johns Road in Butler
Township around 11 p.m. wearing only a T-shirt, jeans, a hat and boots. Two inches of snow fell the following
day, when he was reported missing, and temperatures were near freezing overnight.
Volunteers from all over the state, including several Civil Air Patrol units, local fire companies, area police
departments and hundreds of residents who joined the search for a week, failed to locate the missing man.
Orbach, an avid hunter and carpenter, leaves behind two small children ages 6 and 7, whom he called his
pride. Family members and friends feared he might have met with foul play after the search failed to locate him.
According to the Butler Township Police Department, the death still remains under investigation and Police
Chief Charles Altmiller said the autopsy should reveal more about Orbach’s death.
Butler Township police were assisted at the scene by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Luzerne County
District Attorney’s Office.
4
CAP MEMBER’S and THEIR OTHER JOBS

CIVIL AIR PATROL IN IRAQ

Friday the 13th is a calendar date feared by many people who bear a strange label which describes
this condition: Paraskevidekatriaphobia. Some of these worriers even refuse to leave the safety of
their bedrooms on a Friday the 13th in anticipation of something bad happening to them during this
unnerving twenty-four hour period. Phooey! As the cadets at Hawk Mountain Search and Rescue
School would say: “Cry me a river, build a bridge and get over it!” But, for Group 1’s Capt James
Knights, Friday 13 April 2007 was a homecoming day for him and his return from duty in the deserts
of Iraq.
Prior to Capt Knight’s deployment to the war zone, he and Maj Bob Frost, Commander Squadron
603, hatched a pretty neat plan. Jim took an orange Squadron 603 Emergency Services T-Shirt with
him to Iraq so that he and fellow Sq 603 Capt Stan Newhard, (TSgt USAFR and also deployed in Iraq),
could be photographed together while holding up the T-shirt. Unfortunately, their meeting never took
place as Capt Newhard’s bus was involved in an accident en-route to meet Jim at the airport in Iraq.
As a result, Capt Knight later met U.S. Air Force Lt Col Charles West at his new desert duty station,
 CAP MEMBERS and THEIR OTHER JOBS 5

CIVIL AIR PATROL IN IRAQ continued from page 4

(somewhere in Iraq), had the photo taken with him. Lt. Col. West is a former CAP cadet from the New
York Wing and his son, Cadet Andrew West, is a cadet in the Parker (Colorado) Cadet Squadron,
Colorado Wing. Capt. Knights' son, C/2Lt Patrick Knights, is a member of Composite Squadron 603.
Outstanding work, Capt Knights!!! Hopefully, CAPers will never have to go on missions in search
of vehicles as seen in the photo behind the two officers. (In the background are some of the burnt and
rusted remains of Saddam Hussein's armored vehicles.)
“Congratulations Capt Knights” on your safe return home and thank you for your personal contri-
bution to our country’s war effort in the Middle East.

Story by: Maj Bob Frost, Group 1 Commander

Photos provided by:; Capt James J. Knights, Commander Squadron 603
 6 CADET RECEIVES THE SPAATZ AWARD
Story continued from page 1 -

Colonel I had the honor to apply years of training as Cadet Commander of the 2005 Hawk Mountain Ranger School.
My ability level, physically and mentally, changed throughout but the program always had an opportunity on hand to
excel.
Each of my accomplishments were the realization of a new state of perfection. I kept going because I realized
that meeting perfection once is not the same as being consistently at that level. Even now when I have obtained
more goals than I conceived possible, I know that I could still improve and become better at operating at the elevated
standard I’ve met once before. It is reason to be proud to have been perfect once in your life but to be effortlessly
perfect is an ideal worth striving for forever.
To conclude is a definition of particular accuracy:
Leadership is the art of influencing and directing others in a way that will obtain their willing obedience, confi-
dence, respect, and loyal cooperation in achieving a common objective.
Leadership is indeed an art that each individual has some degree of natural talent toward. With practice, experi-
ence, and the mentoring from others every individual has the opportunity to enhance their talents at leading others
and to become better artists at earning respect.
I have already gained irreplaceable experience at leadership and life skills while in Civil Air Patrol and the pro-
gram has even more still to offer. Never will the opportunity to become a better leader from this training cease to
exist. I’m proud to have come this far and will continue to participate and excel towards my own personal “Echo
Papa.”
Effortless Perfection is a personal standard that does not settle for any less than one’s full effort and which never
allows for stagnation in progression. The concept demands an individual to strive to exceed expectations and to use
every success to power the drive for continued personal development. Any member who dedicates his or her time
and energy toward moral, physical, and technical standards will be successful throughout Civil Air Patrol and
throughout their lives. I am satisfied knowing I have achieved great honors and personal perfection in pursuit of the
Spaatz Award and Expert Ranger proficiency, but I refuse to stagnate and am resolved to learn more and gain further
experience. I challenge every cadet or senior to endeavor towards their own Effortless Perfection.

by - C/Col Spillane -“We Lead”

C/Col Spillane joined Civil Air Patrol in December of 1998 and attended Basic Encampment 1999 and Officer
Training School (OTS) 2000. He returned to staff encampment in 2001, 2002, and 2003. He attended the Hawk
Mountain Ranger School 2000 and 2001 summer school as a Basic and Advanced student before earning his
Orange Scarf at the completion of the 2002 Basic and 2003 Advanced Staff Training Cycle.
Colonel Spillane’s command experience included the 2004 Glider Encampment, 2006 and 2007 Special
Advanced Winter School Squadron, 2004 Falcon Ranger Academy in Miramar, Florida, and the 2005 Hawk
Mountain Summer School.
Colonel Spillane is the 31st Cadet Commander, 1631st Spaatz Cadet, and has recently completed all require-
ments for the 223rd Expert Ranger Black Belt, pending review. He is a senior at the State University of New York
Maritime College in the Bronx, NY. He will graduate in May 2008 with a Bachelor of Engineering in Naval
Architecture, a Bachelor of Engineering in Marine Electrical Systems, and a Coast Guard 3rd Mate’s License as an
Officer on Unlimited Tonnage civilian vessels. He intends to return to graduate school for a Masters in Aeronautical
Engineering.
"C/Col Spillane is only the 2nd cadet in the 50 year history of Squadron 904 to obtain the Spaatz Award. He is
the very first Spaatz cadet for the Northeast Pennsylvania Group 4. We in Group 4 and Squadron 904 are very proud
of him and his accomplishments." - Heather Sterner, Capt, CAP Squadron 904 Commander/Group 4 Cadet
Programs Officer
Congratualtions to C/Col Spillane, from the Pennsylvania Wing Keystone Wing Slip Readers
 SQUADRON NEWS 7

SQUADRON 239 VISITS

CLEARFIELD COUNTY 911 CENTER
Members of Mid-State Composite Squadron 239
recently visited the Clearfield 911 Center. Clearfield
County Director of Emergency Management, Jerry
Pollock, provided the tour to the squadron. Mr.
Pollock gave an overview of operations and a tour of
the facility. CAP members were able to observe and
interact with the on duty emergency telecommunica-
tors who were staffing the center during the visit.
Prior to the tour, discussions were made between Mr.
Pollock and Squadron Commander, 1st Lt, Justin
Ogden about a new relationship forming between
Clearfield County and Mid-State 239, the closest CAP
squadron to Clearfield County.
“As a resident of Clearfield County, I’m excited to
see the potential for our squadron to rebuild a rela-
tionship between CAP and the County’s Department
of Emergency Management, “Lt Ogden said. It has
been several years since CAP has had a presence in
Jerry Pollock (left), Director of Clearfield County
Clearfield County.
Emergency Management, congratulates Cadet Steven
At the end of the tour, Cadet Steven Lazar was
Lazar (right) on his promotion to Cadet Senior Airman.
promoted to the grade of Cadet Senior Airman.
Senior Airman Lazar was promoted following the tour of
the Clearfield County 911 Center. - Credits; 1st Lt Justin Ogden, Commander Squadron 239

Senior Members earn the General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. Award

Article and Photo credit: Annette Carlson, 1st Lt CAP

Doylestown Composite Squadron 907 (NER-PA-146) is proud to announce three Officers, Capt
Mark L Holman, 1st Lt Wayne M Toughill, and 2d Lt Susan Domzalski, have successfully com-
pleted Level 2 training in April earning the General Benjamin O. Davis Jr. Award (formerly the
Certificate of Proficiency). Congratulations to all three!
 8 SQUADRON NEWS continued
FRIDAY THE 13TH WAS A LUCKY DAY
FOR GROUP 1

“CADETS RIDE “STEEL CITY PRIDE”

The 171st Air Refueling Wing of the Pennsylvania Air

National Guard is located “just across the runway” from
Squadron 603’s headquarters on the 911th Air Reserve
Station, Pittsburgh, PA. Annually, MSgt Suzanne Smith,
Recruiting Office Supervisor, organizes and conducts a
JR ROTC Open House on the 171st ARW for Air Force,
Army, Marine High School Jr ROTC students and Sea
Cadets. Well over two hundred cadets represented
Pittsburgh area high schools offering Junior ROTC pro- C/Capt Mike Bilz, sings the National Anthem
grams. This year MSgt Smith contacted Maj Bob Frost,
Commander Squadron 603, to extend an invitation to
Civil Air Patrol Cadets to join in the day-long educational
experience. The offer was accepted and twenty-two
cadets and senior members from Squadrons 602, 603 and
605 attend the program.
Friday, April the 13th turned out to be a very good day
sharing activities with the Jr ROTC cadets. At 0730 hrs
opening ceremonies were held in a large aircraft hangar
where each unit of cadets stood in formation. C/Capt
Mike Bilz, Squadron 603, sang a traditional rendition of
our National Anthem as cadets saluted the American Flag.
Wing Commander Brigadier General Roy Uptegraff wel-
comed everyone with his opening comments on the histo-
ry of the 171st and acknowledged the cadets standing
before him as the future of our country. For a fortunate
Cadets preparing for air lift.
group of seventy cadets and seniors, two KC-135 refuel-
ing aircraft departed for Savannah, Georgia, where they
conducted air refueling missions with three C-17 Air
Force transport aircraft. Cadets were able to witness the
delicate refueling process as they lay in the tail of the
KC-135 by looking out of three small windows and down
the refueling probe to the trailing transports. Wow, can
you really believe the fantastic opportunity! “There we
were, flying over 300 mph at 25,000 feet above Georgia
and watching one of the largest aircraft in the Air Force
take on fuel from our plane just a short distance away.
Too much!” Each tanker aircraft in the 171st fleet is
adorned with different and colorful nose art. C/SSgt
Sterling Cairns from Squadron 603 was one of seven
CAP members to fly on the KC-135 tankers and took a
picture of the nose art on the plane in which he rode - Cadets were able to witness the delicate refueling
Steel City Pride. process as they lay in the tail of the KC-135
(Story continued on page 9.)
 SQUADRON NEWS continued 9

(Continued from page 8.)

The painting is of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ stadium and a

bright yellow and black Myron Cope Terrible Towel.
For the cadets remaining on the ground ( approximate-
ly one hundred seventy-five ) the day was filled with
equipment displays, static KC-135 aircraft tours and
competitive unit activities. Jr ROTC and CAP units
competed in the events of stretcher carrying, push ups, sit
ups and a ten question quiz on material presented during
Opening ceremony. the opening ceremony. CAP cadets won the quiz by
answering all questions correctly. Way to go cadets!
The 171st spared no expense feed the gathering and pro-
vided an endless supply of doughnuts, water, soft drinks,
and fifty-five large pizzas for lunch.
In his thank you email note written to MSgt Smith,
Maj Frost wrote: “First of all, thank you ‘one more time’
for allowing Civil Air Patrol to participate in the 171st
High School ROTC Open House on Friday 13 April.
CAP's close association with military units greatly sup-
ports our cadet program of leadership development and
the better understanding of our nation's commitment
Blindfolded competition. against the war on terror. Every member we met from
the 171st Air Refueling Wing displayed the ‘unit pride’
necessary to affect mission success - you must be person-
ally proud. On our ride back to the 911th ARS, the
cadet chatter was non-stop about how much fun and edu-
cational the day had been for everyone. We are already
looking forward to next year’s program. CAP cadets
were extremely proud of their first place ‘quiz win’ dur-
ing the afternoon cadet unit competition. ( They will
work a bit harder on the push-ups and sit-ups to be more
of a contender next year! ) For their first time out, one
out of four ain't bad!”
Strategy discussion.
- Story by: Maj Robert W. Frost, Jr.,
Commander Squadron 603
- Photos by: C/SSgt Sterling Cairns, Squadron 603
Contributing to story; MSgt Ann Young

Each tanker aircraft in

the 171st fleet is
adorned with different
and colorful nose art.

Push ups event.

 10 SQUADRON NEWS continued
SQUADRON 1504 HOLDS OPEN HOUSE ROSTRAVER COMPOSITE SQUADRON

Pictured from left to right; State Representative David

Levdansky, Staff Sergeant Tim Oeler, Staff Sergeant
Paul Dell and Capt Julius Simon during a recent
awards ceremony at the Central Fire Department.
(Photo credit: Sr. Mbr Gena Sproul).
Left to Right: C/SMSGT John Driscoll, Major
Donald Leipold, C/MSGT Joel Troxell 4/13/2007–Elizabeth, PA–State Representative David
Levdansky (D) of the 39th District presented the Wright
Civil Air Patrol Squadron 1504 held its annual open Brothers Award to two cadets during the Civil Air Patrol
house on Tuesday, April 10th at the Frankstown Armory (CAP) Post 605 annual banquet at the Central Volunteer
in Altoona. The event informed the public of the three- Fire Department in Elizabeth Township.
fold mission of the Civil Air Patrol – Cadet Programs, Cadets Paul Dell and Timothy Oeler were presented
Aerospace Education and Emergency Services. Displays Commonwealth Citations by the Honorable David
were set up showing Emergency Services equipment, the Levdansky. Squadron Commander, Captain Julius
CAP Rocketry Program and Aerospace Education, as well Simon, presented the Wright Brothers Award to both
as membership information. Members of the Altoona recipients.
branch of the Air Force Association were also in atten- The Wright Brothers Award is the CAP Cadet
dance. Program's newest milestone award, taking effect on 1
Several awards were presented to the cadet members April 2003, in the centennial of Orville and Wilbur
of Squadron 1504 during the evening. Charles Harker, Wright's historic first flight.
Vice President of Altoona Chapter 350 of the Air Force Civil Air Patrol, the official Auxiliary of the United
Association presented their Civil Air Patrol Cadet of the States Air Force, has a three-fold mission: aerospace edu-
Year award to Cadet Senior Master Sergeant John cation of the American people, emergency services and
Driscoll. The Squadron 1504 Cadet of the Year award disaster relief for those in distress, and the cadet program.
was presented to Cadet Master Sergeant Joel Troxell. The cadet program provides opportunities for the learn-
Cadet Senior Master Sergeant John Driscoll also received ing, maturing, accepting, and nurturing of leadership to
the Squadron 1504 Honor Cadet award and the Most over 25,000 young Americans from 12-20 years of age.
Improved Cadet award. With advice and assistance from CAP members at nation-
al, regional, state and local levels and the US Air Force,
- Article written by 2d Lt Louise Troxell cadets are exposed to a structured program of aerospace
- Picture taken by 2d Lt Beth Smith
(Press release continued on page 11)
 SQUADRON NEWS continued 11

ROSTRAVER COMPOSITE SQUADRON

(Continued from page 10)

education, leadership, physical fitness, and moral and

ethical values.
This structured program is divided into 16 segments
called achievements, each involving study and perform-
ance in the five program areas: leadership, aerospace
education, physical fitness, moral leadership, and activi-
ties Upon completion of each achievement, the cadet
earns increased responsibility, decorations, awards, eligi-
bility for national and international special activities, and
opportunities for both flight and academic scholarships.
Completing many of the achievements also earn the
cadet a higher grade.
The first milestone of this endeavor is the Wright
Brothers Award, which is earned after completing Phase
SQUADRON 307 VISITS GETTYSBURG
I, "The Learning Phase," consisting of the first three
achievements of the cadet program. In addition, the
Civil Air Patrol Sq. 307 visited the Gettysburg
cadet must pass a challenging examination testing lead-
Battlefield and Monument on April 21, 2007 and
ership knowledge and proficiency in drill and cere-
learned a lot about the Civil War and the first 3
monies.
days of battle held there.
Once a cadet earns the Wright Brothers Award, they
The senior members in attendance were, Wilson
are promoted to the grade of cadet staff sergeant, begin
Ballester, Tom Carr, Sr., Bea Gernert, Warren Parks,
service as cadet non-commissioned officers, and contin-
Hal Roach, Tina Roach and guest, Dennis Shirk.
ue to participate and advance as cadets in the U.S. Air
Cadets were, Justin Belleman, Tom Carr, Jr.,
Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol.
Anthony Fesig, Patrick Roach, Ryan Torres, and Tyler
Cadet Dell, 14, is the First Sergeant in the Cadet
Zohner.
Command. He has been a member of CAP for three
The Sq. toured the Battlefield and Monuments and
years and is an active member of the Squadron's search
played stick ball with re-enactors and explored Devil's
and rescue ground team. He has completed Basic
Den, climbed the lookout tower and the PA monument.
Encampment and Cadet Leadership School, as well as
They ate lunch in Gettysburg and visited the Visitor
serving as Cadet Staff at the 2006 Basic Encampment.
Center and then the Cemetery.
Cadet Oeler, 15, has also been a member for three years,
and is a member of the Squadron's ground team. Both
- article by 2d Lt Beatrice Gernert
Cadets attend Elizabeth Forward High School.
- photo by Senior Member Wilson Ballester
- By Senior Member Gena Sproul

Civil Air Patrol Sq. 307 Holds Awards Party

Civil Air Patrol Sq. 307 held an awards party for three cadets at the VFW Post 23 who received their Wright
Brothers Awards. Refreshments were served and Ryan Torres, Mark Durick and Karl Showers were given a
framed certificate for completing and passing their Wright Brothers test by their commander, Major Tom
DiJohnson. Also, Mauree Gingrich, our State Rep.,who had other commitments, sent each cadet a letter of
congratulations and invited them to her office if they ever needed help or advice and said she hoped they would
stay in the area after completing their future education or military service.

-2d Lt Beatrice Gernert

 12 PA WING ASSISTS IN SEARCH FOR PILOT

Photo credit: Captain Arnold Andresen

Williamsport, PA. – The Pennsylvania Wing Civil Air Patrol participated in a search for Donald Kramer, an
experienced glider pilot, who flew out of the Williamsport Airport on Monday morning, April 16. Kramer, a
Centre County resident, had a goal on this day and it was to try and establish a world glider distance record.
Another pilot in a second glider was flying also but was diverted to an area in Bedford, Pennsylvania, where CAP
member, Captain Dustin Miller of Bedford, met up with him.
As Kramer, took off Monday morning, he apparently got caught in a storm front that passed through the Eastern
Panhandle. The glider went down in a remote mountainous area of West Virginia. The weather about the time of
the crash was considered in blizzard-like conditions.
Kramer’s wife, Carmen, requested that CAP help search for her husband and Captain Arnold Andresen, from
Williamsport was notified. He, in turn, notified the AFRCC, (Air Force Rescue Coordination Center), and the mis-
sion to search for the pilot was turned over to the West Virginia Civil Air Patrol
Working with the second pilot’s report and the last known calculated position of Kramer, Captain Miller and a
small ground team assembled, along with the second pilot, and followed the route of flight by vehicle. They ended
up in Circleville, West Virginia, which was the last known point. Pennsylvania CAP members Captain Andresen
and Lt. Ogden continued to assist the West Virginia CAP team as the search went on for the crash site and the pilot.
Near Circleville they picked up the ELT, (Electronic Locator Transmission), which was set off from the downed
glider. West Virginia ground team units consisted of; Clarksburg, Morgantown, Beckley, Charleston and West
Virginia Wing Commander, Colonel Rodney Murray also participated.
The PA team coordinated with the West Virginia CAP ground teams and they searched till dark when heavy
snow, fifty knot winds and darkness caused the team to suspend the search. Two small teams on ATV’s decided to
stay on and continue the search and it was reported, one of the teams, which included local volunteer firemen,
found the pilot but was unable to make cell phone contact with anyone until approximately 9:15 AM, (Tuesday),
due to a power outage which knocked out several cell phone towers in the county. A Maryland State Police “mede-
vac” helicopter was called upon to airlift Kramer to a medical facility. Kramer was brought down manually off of
the mountain by volunteers who used a stokes' basket. The terrain was very steep and traitorous and extra ropes
were needed. After the volunteers physically carried him down off of the mountain and trekked for miles, he was
then loaded on to an ATV and driven to an area where the team met up with an ambulance. From the ambulance,
he was then taken to the helicopter which flew him to a local hospital. It was reported that his injuries were non-
life threatening however he did sustain some fractures and frostbite.
COMPLEMENTARY TIPS FROM CONESTOGA DPI 13
 14 A Message from the Editor
As we approach the holidays that honor our military, please remember to take time to participate in any
way you can in the events that celebrate these occasions. Let us thank our veterans and proudly welcome
home our military that have served in Iraq.
My reasons for this editorial is to remind our readers, of all those who have given so much for America. I
think sometimes we take so much for granted and we tend to forget what we have and why we have it.
Sometimes it takes a reminder to know what is important. Just such a reminder happened to me a couple
weeks ago. I decided to have lunch at one of our local restaurants and sitting in the same dinning room at a
table near mine, were seven members of the National Guard. They had just finished their meals and they
were having some light conversation as they were preparing to leave. When the waitress walked by their table
they asked for their check. She told them that their bill was already paid. And with that she said a word of
thanks was to be delivered to their table. The men looked stunned and joked for a few minutes about why
someone would pay for all their meals. They continually asked the waitress as to who was so kind to do such
a thing and that they would like to thank them, but she said the party who paid for their lunches did not want
to be addressed. She said that the person that paid the bill said they did not need to be thanked. That we
should be thanking you all instead. By this time, I tried so hard not to “listen in” to their conversation and I
was not alone!. The entire dining room became very quiet. I felt so proud, emotional and tears started to fill
my eyes. What a simple but very neat way to say thank you. I felt so much pride come over me that it took
everything I had not to stand up and applaud this person that was being so thoughtful. But just as I was plan-
ning to do so, the cashier also stopped by their table and told the gentlemen that the party that paid for their
meal did not want any fuss made over them. That this person was just so grateful to our military and that it
was just, in a very small way, their way, of saying thank you. Let us all remember to say thank you!
- 1st Lt Linda A. Irwin

ARMED FORCES DAY (May 19, 2007)

**President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and
thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.
On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day
to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Days. The single-day celebration stemmed from
the unification of the Armed Forces under one department -- the Department of Defense.
MEMORIAL DAY (Traditional date - May 30 - The 2007 Observation Date - May 28)
***Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the
nation's Civil War dead by decorating their graves. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to com-
memorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army
of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers. On May 5, 1868, Logan declared in General
Order No. 11 that: The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or other-
wise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and
whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no
form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services
and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
During the first celebration of Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington
National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000
Union and Confederate soldiers buried in the cemetery.
This 1868 celebration was inspired by local observances of the day in several towns throughout America
that had taken place in the three years since the Civil War. In fact, several Northern and Southern cities claim
to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, including Columbus, Miss.; Macon, Ga.; Richmond, Va.; Boalsburg,
Pa.; and Carbondale, Ill.

**United States Department of Defense

***History.com
 REMINDERS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS 15

PA Wing Civil Air Patrol Will Bring CAP Glider to the

2007 Armed Forces Day Event

CITY ISLAND, HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Civil Air Patrol will display a glider that is used for cadet orien-
tation flights and for the Civil Air Patrol’s glider encampment during the Armed Forces weekend celebration on
May 18,19 and 20. They will also have an information booth set up where those interested can pick up a copy
of our monthly magazine, “The Keystone Wing Slip”, and other literature with information on the organization.
Cadets and senior members alike will be standing by to answer your questions about the CAP programs.

CAP volunteers will support armed forces personnel by presenting the joint services colors at the opening cere-
mony game. They will also assist the joint services with logistics, security, parking and radio communications.
They will also work with the command post to integrate the Young Marines participation in this year’s event.

For more information on the 2007 Armed Forces Day event log on to:
http://www.harrisburgevents.com/Common_pages/Armed.html.

INDIVIDUAL CRISIS INTERVENTION AND PEER SUPPORT COURSE OFFERED

The Individual Crisis Intervention and Peer Support course will be offered as part of the NER SARCOMP at
Westover AFB MA. The 13-hour class will run from 0830 to 1830 on Friday, June 15 and from 0830 to 1330
on Saturday, June 16, 2007. On Saturday afternoon and a portion of Sunday, the CISM teams will have oppor-
tunities to practice the protocols covered in the Group Crisis Intervention course and will serve as “refresher”
hours toward currency. The Group course is required for a CAP member to serve on a CISM team as a peer
and the Individual/Peer course is required for licensed mental health professionals to serve as MHPs on a team
per CAPR 60-5. The Individual/Peer course covers protocols for one-on-one protocols which are the interven-
tion most frequently used at a CISM site.
The $35.00 charge covers tuition, workbooks, materials, and light refreshments. Checks should be made
payable to NER CAP and mailed to the CISM P.O.C. for the event, Major Joan Coughlin, at 45 16th Tee Street,
Newbury, MA 01951. You make direct questions and comments to Joan.Coughlin@capcism.com or call 978-
463-3252.
Maj (Dr.) Joan Coughlin will teach the course. Maj Coughlin is an experienced CAP member, the National
Clinical Director, and the Interim NER/CIS for the Northeast Region. She is a licensed counseling psychologist
specializing in grief and loss, and has taught psychology at community college for over twenty years.

PA WING ANNOUNCES NEW GROUP COMMANDERS

The PA Wing Command Staff decided to split Group One, in the Western part of the state into two groups.
The Keystone Wing Slip is proud to announce the appointments of these Commanders. Commander of Group
One is Major Robert W. Frost, Jr. and the Commander of Group Six is, 1Lt Gary Fleming. Please support and
assist Commanders Frost and Fleming as they begin the process of building their staff and units.
Congratulations gentlemen and our best wishes for a successful transition.
 16 REMINDERS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CAP DAY AT THE CAPITOL

We have finalized a date for the CAP Day at

the Capitol. It is a busy season there which
is indicative of the budget crunch and com-
peting priorities in Harrisburg. We have
secured a place in the main Rotunda for our
display on June 19, 2007. We want to be
there and have our display assembled and
ready to go by 9:00 AM. Please plan on
attending and bring along with you officers
and cadets from your squadron. Contact Lt
Col Robert Meinert via Email at
pawghqcap@aol.com or by telephone at
717-861-2335, if you plan to attend. Let us
know also how many members will be
accompanying you. You may also want to
let your Legislators know that you are com-
ing. Many have asked already whether
members from their districts will be there!

Rel ax B ruce , you are so up tight! I tol d you,

the y are j ust my body guards! Men, put your
guns away, this guy is reall y nervous.

Lt Col Bruce Brinker posing with PA Governor, Edward G.

Rendell during the Governor’s Ball, January 2007.
ANNOUNCEMENTS 17
IN MEMORY OF A FORMER CAP MEMBER

Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Davis, Blue Angels' No. 6,

Was killed Saturday, April 21, 2007,
when his F/A-18 crashed at an air show in
Beaufort, S.C. Friends and comrades
remember the aviator, known in the
skies by his callsign, "Kojak."
(Lieutenant Commander Kevin Davis was a native of Pittsfield, Massachusetts,
and graduated from Reading Memorial High School in 1992 where he played football
and was active with the Civil Air Patrol. He attended Embry Riddle Aeronautical
University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Science with honors in
1996.
Kevin joined the Blue Angels in September 2005. He has accumulated more than
2,500 flight hours and 200 carrier arrested landings. His decorations include the Air
Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and various personal and unit
awards.)