Iowa Wing News Online
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Today the Iowa House of Representatives passed House File 716, a bill concerning the activation and use of the Civil Air Patrol, the civilian auxiliary of the Air Force, by the Iowa National Guard and Homeland Security Division. The bill now passes to the Senate for consideration.
“I see the Civil Air Patrol playing an active role in support of the Iowa National Guard and Homeland Security,” said State Representative Kraig Paulsen, “CAP can do great work for the State of Iowa, especially in today’s time of homeland security and CAP is a critical asset for the State.”
As an organization made up of trained unpaid professionals, CAP is able to provide cost-effective aerial and ground support for emergency responders.
According to the bill, the Iowa National Guard can call upon the Civil Air Patrol’s air and ground capabilities as an option for any of its state disaster or homeland security missions. CAP has over a hundred officers throughout Iowa trained to assist in search and rescue, disaster relief, damage assessment and aerial reconnaissance.
"This bill clarifies the control lines between CAP and the State during an emergency,” said Iowa CAP Commander, Colonel Ralph Tomlinson. “CAP is the best value in homeland security today, and this agreement opens the door to Civil Air Patrol providing even more support for state agencies that need our services."
CAP has been working on a limited basis with the Iowa National Guard for more than two years, assisting the Guard on homeland security exercises.
CAP has worked closely with Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management to provide damage impact assessment for areas struck by floods and tornados.
The bill passed in the Iowa House with unanimous support. It will now move to the Iowa Senate for approval.
State Representative Paulsen, a former Air Force Officer, says that he sees the vote “as the Iowa House of Representatives confirming our belief in CAP and trusting CAP to expand its role in the state”
Monday, March 14, 2005
By C/1st Lt Tessa Poppe
East Iowa Cadet Squadron
A year ago, when Cadet Aaron Church said he had been selected to attend the Civil Air Patrol's National Civic Leadership Academy, I immediately was interested in going myself. What an opportunity, I thought, to see our government up close and personal and get to go behind the scenes … not your average field trip! I made it my personal goal to try and attend. Little did I know that year later I would be in the nation’s capital, experiencing it first hand!
I applied for the honor of attending the Academy, and after a rigorous review process, I learned that I had been selected, along with 23 other Civil Air Patrol cadets. There was a lot to prepare for. I needed to make sure my uniform was perfect, since many of the activities were highly visible by the military, government, and the public. There was also academic preparation as well. Cadets arriving for this activity were expected to be well versed in government principles and have a good understanding of the U.S. Constitution.
Upon arrival in Washington, our group hit the ground running. We were involved in one activity after another. On Sunday, 27 February, we visited the National Air and Space Museum and heard from Mary Feik, for whom a Civil Air Patrol cadet award is named. She escorted us through the museum, showing us some of the aircraft she helped build. Later, we heard from the future Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Lester Crawford. He spoke about running a public organization and gave us some important leadership lessons and tips. His discussion was quite relevant to leadership in CAP. After the busy day, we spent time with some our colleagues and discussed the day’s lessons, as we would do every night.
The theme of the day on Monday, 28 February, was Marbury v. Madison, the Supreme Court case that established the principal of Judicial Review. We visited the Supreme Court building and heard from a Court Fellow who explained her duties and the history of the building. We were even allowed to hear an actual oral argument in the Supreme Court chamber! Next, our group toured the Capitol -- which is one of the most amazing buildings I’ve ever seen, especially considering I had never been to D.C. before.
Tuesday, 1 March, was a highlight of the trip for me. We visited the U.S. State Department, where we met with Deputy Secretary of State, the Honorable Robert B. Zoellick, in the Treaty Room. It was a tremendous experience, considering virtually no one gets into the Treaty Room! We ate lunch in the Executive Dining Room, where we each got to speak with an ambassador or Foreign Service Officer at each of our tables. After lunch, we went to the Operations/Task Force rooms, where we learned what Task Forces do when something like the Asian tsunami or September 11th happens. We also heard from two representatives of the Press Corps who worked in the State Department. They explained their jobs and answered questions we had regarding the media.
On Wednesday, 2 March, we visited the Pentagon. I have never seen so many Generals and Colonels in my entire life! We got the customary tour, which was quite fascinating. It included seeing the memorial in honor of those killed there on September 11th, a humbling experience. We then heard from two Air Force Colonels who explained to us the importance of civilian control of the military, the basic structure of the command staff within the Pentagon, and how they work with the other branches of the government. We also visited Arlington on National Cemetery, and witnessed the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns. It was one of the greatest experiences of the trip for me.
Thursday, 3 March was the day when we teamed up with our fellow region cadets and/or our Wing Commanders and walked on Capitol Hill, advocating the Civil Air Patrol Homeland Security Act. Iowa Wing Commander Col. Ralph Tomlinson and I met with staffers from Iowa’s Representatives and Senators, and I also was privileged to work with Nebraska’s Wing Commander. I had an opportunity to speak with Senator Nelson personally about Civil Air Patrol. By the end of the day, we were exhausted, but not too tired to visit the memorials at night. That was another highlight of the trip. The Vietnam, Korean, World War II, and
Lincoln Memorials were very impressive. It was an honor to visit them and pay respect to those who have made sacrifices for our freedom.
On Friday, 4 March, we visited the Central Intelligence Agency and viewed the wall where stars and the Book of Honor commemorate agents lost in the line of duty. We also got to see the CIA museum, where some of the strangest gadgets I’ve ever seen reside. We also heard from a CIA recruiter who told us all we needed to know about careers in the CIA.
All too soon, it was Saturday, 5 March. The week had flown by, and even though I saw a lot of intriguing things, and visited many cool places, I found it was hardest to leave my colleagues behind. The Civil Air Patrol cadets and officers who participated in the Leadership Academy were some of the best from our nation, and it was an extreme honor to work with them and learn from them. This CAP activity was by far one of the best I’ve ever participated in, and I would love to do it all again!
Sunday, March 06, 2005
17 members of the East Iowa Cadet Squadron resumed Red Cross Disaster Relief training on 5 March in Cedar Rapids, following a hiatus of nearly a year due to the four hurricanes that battered Florida last summer. Eleven cadets and four officers participated in the Shelter Operations and Shelter Simulations courses in a day-long session at the Grant Wood Chapter of the American Red Cross.
“This training provides for better coordination of emergency services and will qualify Civil Air Patrol members to assist with community disaster relief efforts,” said Capt Bruce Tiemann, commander of the East Iowa Cadet Squadron. “Our members are striving to be more versatile and useful to our community in the Civil Air Patrol’s time-honored tradition of volunteer service.”
Squadron members completed the first two Red Cross Disaster Relief courses in April and May of last year, and were scheduled to complete the remaining two courses last June and July -- but the extensive Red Cross disaster relief efforts in Florida as a result of the hurricanes created a temporary shortage of qualified instructors.
Members successfully completing all courses offered to date include cadets Tanner Ayers-Berry, Landon Jones, Kyle Kephart, Heather Houg, Chris Oglesby, Elijah Peterson, Brianna Reeves, Taylor and Trey Seeley, John Sullivan and Andrew Tiemann; and officers Bob Benson, Shannon Juhl, Ryan Muller, Brad Oglesby, and Bruce Tiemann.
The final Red Cross course -- Damage Assessment -- is scheduled for later this year.
