Spring Exercise Provides Training for Civil Air Patrol Personnel
By Capt Bruce Tiemann

Despite windy conditions that forced the grounding of all air support, more than 50 Civil Air Patrol officers and cadets from around the state of Iowa completed nine ground sorties at a Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) based at the Washington Airport on Saturday, 23 April.

Exercise organizers cancelled CAP flight operations as a safety precaution due to winds gusting at 30 knots and higher, but ground teams forged ahead in a variety of scenarios. "Although the weather did not cooperate for flying, we had an extremely productive day for ground teams," said Lt Col Mike Krenz, Incident Commander for the event. "The exercise planning and logistics was superb, including excellent scenarios, facilities, and food. Mission Management Staff did an excellent job of getting people out into the field quickly... all five ground teams were in the field within an hour of the mission starting."

Iowa Wing holds several full scale Search and Rescue Exercises every year in communities across the state. These exercises are designed to have qualified CAP emergency services personnel practice their skills as well as have newer personnel learn valuable lessons in a training environment.
- posted by IAWG PAO @ 12:53 PM

 
Civil Air Patrol Exercises Communications Capabilities In Support Of Cedar Rapids 'WalkAmerica'
By Capt Bruce Tiemann


The Civil Air Patrol once again provided support for the March of Dimes 'WalkAmerica' in Cedar Rapids on 24 April. Civil Air Patrol exercises its communications capabilities by setting up a network of handheld and mobile radios along the event's route. CAP operators relayed radio traffic about injured or fatigued walkers and monitoring the progress of participants at numerous checkpoints along the route.

Organizers for the event say approximately 1,200 participants walked the 8.5-mile route in Cedar Rapids despite sunny but cold and windy conditions. 13 cadets from the 78th Cadet Squadron were stationed at checkpoints to greet and assist the walkers, while seven officers established a mission radio base and various monitoring positions.

Assisting with the Cedar Rapids walk were Maj Bob Benson (who walked behind participants along the route), 1st Lt Shannon Juhl (North Central Region), Col John Lalla (NCR), Project Officer 2nd Lt Brad Oglesby, 2nd Lt Bill Seeley, Lt Col Mercer Richardson (NCR) and Capt Bruce Tiemann, along with cadets Tanner Ayers-Berry, David Brown, Luke Conrad, James Goldman, Brandon Iben, Landon Jones, Ben Lundstrum, Chris Oglesby, Taylor and Trey Seeley, Andrew Tiemann, Bronson Werning and Craig Woychik.
- posted by IAWG PAO @ 12:47 PM

 
Civil Air Patrol Glider Flights Take Cadets into the Wild Blue Yonder


CAP Blanik Glider In Tow Behind CAP Tow Plane

Flying conditions were excellent for the 11 cadets and two officers from the East Iowa Cadet Squadron who participated in glider orientation flights on 16 April as part of a coordinated Civil Air Patrol glider flight day. Organized by 1st Lt Shannon Juhl and glider pilot Lt Col Steve Lewis, the rides introduced cadets to their first experience with nonpowered flight in the sky over the Washington airport. Cadets also took part in team-building activities on the ground during the day-long event.

CAP Cadets Tanner Ayers-Berry, David Brown, James Goldman, Landon Jones, Chris Oglesby, Brianna Reeves, Taylor and Trey Seeley, Andrew Tiemann, Ben Ziegler and Bronson Werning all were familiarized with the glider and had the opportunity to control it during flight. A special thanks goes to Lt. Juhl and Guy Ayers-Berry for providing transportation to the event.
- posted by IAWG PAO @ 10:16 AM

 
CAP Bill Makes It Through Committee And Is On Its Way To The Full Iowa Senate

Today the State Government Committee of the Iowa Sentate passed House File 716, a bill concerning the activation and use of the Iowa Wing of the Civil Air Patrol by the Iowa National Guard and Homeland Security Division. The bill now passes to the full Senate for consideration.

"This bill helps to formalize our relationship with the Guard and Homeland Security,” said Iowa CAP Commander, Colonel Ralph Tomlinson. “Iowa CAP has operated under ad hoc agreements with Homeland Security for several years. We need a permanent relationship established to make it so that Iowa CAP can respond more quickly to emergencies in Iowa."


The bill passed the committee with unanimous support. If passed, the bill will outline CAP's relationship with the state and allow for more communication with the Iowa National Guard and Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division.
- posted by IAWG PAO @ 5:22 PM