Iowa Wing News Online
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Former Iowa Wing Commander Tapped To Be New National Vice Commander
Rex Glasgow (center) is promoted to Brigadier General by Air University Commander Lt Gen Regni (lef) and CAP National Commander Major General Tony Pineda (right)
Brigadier General Antonio J. Pineda of Plantation, Fla., was elected as the Civil Air Patrol’s national commander and promoted to major general during the Air Force auxiliary’s national conference held last week in St. Louis, MO.
In addition, Col. Rex Glasgow of Marion, Iowa, was elected national vice commander and promoted to brigadier general.
Pineda, CAP’s acting national commander since July 1, previously served as commander of both the Florida Wing and Southeast Region. Glasgow was commander of CAP’s North Central Region, which included the State of Iowa.
In his acceptance speech, Pineda vowed to strengthen CAP’s “missions for America.”
"Over the next three years, we’re going to enhance our homeland security efforts and CAP’s cadet program,” said Pineda. “It is also my goal to recruit more teachers and expand CAP’s aerospace education program, and to keep CAP as the nation’s finest resource in the search and rescue business. And we will do this as a team, together with our parent organization, the U.S. Air Force," he said.
Col Rex Glasgow takes the time to show a cadet how to properly launch a model rocket at the 2003 Wing Ding
Glasgow formerly served as commander of CAP’s North Central Region and was responsible for CAP operations in seven states, where he oversaw 4,850 officers and cadets, 53 aircraft, more than 75 vehicles and an annual budget of more than $250,000. He also served as chairman of the National Cadet Program Committee and Oshkosh Facility Committee. He recently completed an assignment as chair and shared in development of the Electronic Cadet Orientation Flight Reimbursement Program. He serves as a member of Civil Air Patrol’s National Executive Committee and National Board.
Glasgow began his command experience at the East Iowa Cadet Squadron in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where his unit grew to more than 70 officers and cadets under his leadership. An additional flight under his command was started in Ames, Iowa, and after 2 ½ years the unit was chartered with over 20 officers and cadets.
Glasgow served as the Iowa Wing Director of Cadet Programs and Director of Professional Development while still serving as a squadron commander. He was appointed the Commander of the Iowa Wing in January 2000.
During his tenure as Commander of the Iowa Wing he worked to improve the size and capabilities of the organization. He worked to foster a better relationship with the Iowa National Guard and Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division.
Col Rex Glasgow discusses CAP's current Capabilities with Senator and CAP Colonel Tom Harkin of Iowa
Thanks in large part to the ground work that General Glasgow laid, the Iowa Wing of the Civil Air Patrol was able to get Legislation passed in the Iowa Legislature this year further outlining its relationship with the Iowa National Guard and Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division. This new and improved relationship should translate into the Civil Air Patrol being called out more times to help support local authorities. CAP’s unpaid officers and inexpensive to operate aircraft provide significant cost savings to provide response during a disaster.
Glasgow’s CAP awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Exceptional Service Award and Meritorious Service Award. He was also named Iowa Wing Officer of the Year twice, and North Central Region Officer of the Year. In 2000, he received the Gil Robb Wilson Award, the highest level of professional achievement for CAP officers.
Glasgow is a certified CAP incident commander, mission and cadet orientation pilot and ground team leader and is a graduate of the CAP National Commanders Course. He has served in various capacities during numerous search and rescue missions and disaster relief activities.
“Iowa Wing is proud that one of our best officers is now guiding our national organization towards new heights,” said Colonel Ralph Tomlinson, Currently the Commander of the Iowa Wing. “His integrity and professionalism set him apart from many of the leaders today and makes him a fine example for our cadets to look up to.”
CAP National Legislative Liaison Officer of the Year, Lt Col Nick Critelli.
The National Commander of the Civil Air Patrol has chosen Lieutenant Colonel Nick Critelli as the 2005 National Legislative Liaison Officer Of The Year. Lieutenant Colonel Critelli was presented this award during the Air Force Auxiliary’s national conference held last week in St. Louis, MO.
More than 800 officers and cadets of the 60,000 volunteer organization gathered in the city along the Mississippi River to witness the annual awards presentations; to attend more than 60 learning labs; to learn the results of two days of national board activity; and to hear speeches from Cessna CEO and President Jack Pelton, one of CAP’s newest officers, and former Georgia Wing cadet Air Force Lt. Col. Eric Boe, now a NASA astronaut.
“We are very pleased with what Colonel Critelli has done to improve our relationship with the National Guard,” said Colonel Ralph Tomlinson, Commander for the Iowa Civil Air Patrol. “The Government Relations program he has created is a first in the nation initiative and this award proves what a success it has been.”
Lieutenant Colonel Critelli serves as the Legislative Liason for Civil Air Patrol’s Iowa Wing Headquarters, which oversees CAP operations in Iowa. He also serves as advisor to the Wing Commander for Strategic Planning.
During his time as the Legislative Liaison Officer of the Iowa Wing he worked to improve the size and capabilities of the organization. He worked to foster a better relationship with the Iowa National Guard and Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division.
Critelli, guided a comprehensive government relations and legislative program for the Iowa Wing of the Civil Air Patrol . This program was able to get Legislation passed in the Iowa Legislature this year further outlining its relationship with the Iowa National Guard and Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division. This new and improved relationship should translate into the Civil Air Patrol being called out more times to help support local authorities. CAP’s unpaid officers and inexpensive to operate aircraft provide significant cost savings to provide response during a disaster. These services are normally provided at no cost to local authorities.
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
By Capt Bruce Tiemann
In official testimony to the Base Realignment and Closure Commission on 11 August, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower & Reserve Affairs Michael Dominguez cited Civil Air Patrol as an important asset available to the nation's governors in the face of pending Air National Guard base closings around the country.
"With regard to homeland security, there will remain flying assets in every state available to support a governor's need for air transport, reconnaissance, and command and control. While these assets are not comparable to the Air National Guard, there is a Civil Air Patrol wing in every state. The Civil Air Patrol, again, is not comparable to the Air National Guard. It is, though, funded and supported by the Air Force. It has a 60-year history of stellar service to the nation and to the nation's governors," Dominguez testified.
"After '9/11', when no other aircraft were permitted to fly, Civil Air Patrol aircraft flew photo reconnaissance missions over the World Trade Center site, they transported emergency management officials, critical medical supplies, and disaster recovery systems in support of civil authorities. Again, the CAP is not comparable to the Air National Guard, but CAP's presence and availability to support civil authorities is a factor you need to think about as you consider our recommendations and the governors' needs to protect their states," said Dominguez.
Saturday, August 13, 2005
By Capt Bruce Tiemann
The Civil Air Patrol Color Guard Marches Past The Iowa State Capitol
After enduring a two-hour-long wait in staging and skillfully avoiding 'mementos' left behind by equestrian entries, a group of hardy Civil Air Patrol cadets represented Iowa Wing in the Iowa State Fair Parade in downtown Des Moines on the evening of Wednesday, 10 August. The core group of marchers included a color guard comprised of cadets from the East Iowa Cadet Squadron under the command of CMSgt Robert Chiafos and CAP banner bearers directed by Cadet Leif Poore-Christiansen. The Civil Air Patrol contingent completed the entire two-mile-long parade route westbound on Grand Avenue, passing within a few yards of the Iowa State Capitol, crossing the Des Moines River, and evoking sustained applause from parade watchers as the last light of a hot summer day faded into twilight.
CAP members participating in the parade included Chief Chiafos, 2d Lt Brad Oglesby and Capt Bruce Tiemann along with cadets Tanner Ayers-Berry, Landon Jones, Kyle Kephart, Chris Oglesby, Tessa Poppe and John Sullivan. 1st Lt James McLaughlin served as project officer for the parade mission and trailed the marchers in one of Iowa Wing's command and control vehicles.
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Lt Col Bruce Wright, Mission Pilot, explains to KCCI News Channel 8 Reporter Emily Givens about how CAP conducts air search operations prior to an exercise sortie.
Approximately 75 Civil Air Patrol officers and cadets participated in an ambitious daylong operations evaluation at Marshalltown, Iowa, on Saturday, 6 August, evaluated by the U.S. Air Force and monitored by officials from both the Iowa National Guard and the Marshall County Emergency Management Agency.
CAP air and ground teams conducted numerous sorties from the Marshalltown Airport involving simulated homeland security aerial photography assignments, community damage assessments and searches for missing persons and aircraft. Air Force evaluators reviewed and graded each aspect of the mission as part of the USAF's biennial review of each of Civil Air Patrol's 52 Wings.
In addition, media representatives from local Marshalltown radio and cable television stations and a news crew from station KCCI-TV in Des Moines, Iowa, observed the proceedings and broadcast reports regarding the activity.
