Iowa Wing News Online
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Lt Col Nick Critelli discusses what CAP can do for a packed room full of local Iowa emergency officials
The third annual Governor’s Homeland Security Conference is presently being held at the Polk County Convention Center in Des Moines. The conference brings together all of the players in the emergency service business. County and regional EMA’s, HLSEM planners and operational officers , FEMA and military personnel as well as responders meet, network and exchange ideas. It is the Iowa emergency services “think tank.” This year the Iowa Wing was invited to participate and exhibit. Attendance was estimated to be approximately 275 most of whom visited the CAP exhibit. CAP promotional material
was provided as well as instructions regarding when and how they could engage our services.
The exhibit was staffed by Col. Tomlinson, Maj. Tomlinson, Maj. Jansen and Maj. Butters.
HLSEM also gave us the opportunity to host a break-out educational seminar on Wednesday afternoon. Entitled CAP: Iowa’s Low-Slow flying Air Force attracted over 110 participants. Maj. Halbrook was able to brief them regarding when and how to engage our services and the type and nature of specialty services we can deliver. The briefing was well received and hopefully we will receive more taskings.
Iowa CAP staffed an exhibit to explain what Iowa CAP can do for local authorities during emergencies and to answer their questions
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Capt Leo Bertling Instructs A Student
Iowa Wing is supporting the Minnesota Flight Academy in Mankato, MN. Three instructors and one officer are helping to teach cadets from across the region how to fly.
Iowa Wing has dispatched three of our C-172’s and our glider to support the efforts of the academy. This week-long training will give cadets approximately 12 hours of flight instruction and ground school training.
These cadets, including 4 from Iowa, were selected this winter to attend either the powered glider tracks of the academy.
Cadets from Iowa include:
Cassie Brownell—Davenport
Dakota Foley—Burlington
Robert Morse—Burlington
Chris Oglesby—East Iowa
Good luck and fly safe!
Monday, July 17, 2006
Iowa Civil Air Patrol Officers and Cadets Pose With Governor Vilsack After He Thanked Them For Their Service
The Iowa Wing, CAP were invited guests of Iowa’s Adjutant General MG Ron Dardis, Deputy Adj. Gen’s BG Mark Zirkelbach and Doug Pierce and Chief of Staff Col. Steve
Bloomer to an historic event at Camp Dodge.
Vice President Dick Cheney became the first Vice President or President to visit the Camp since its inception before WWI. It is the home base for the Iowa National Guard. Amid a gathering of 1200 soldiers, airmen and...yes approximately 35 officers and cadets of the Civil Air Patrol, the Vice President gave a major policy address on the progress of the war on terror. Mr. Cheney confirmed the government’s policy to take the fight to the enemy rather than defend against the enemy on the streets of America.
“We are a country that keeps its word” the Vice President said referring the to fact that since 9-11 there are now two democracies in the middle-east.
CAP Is Part of the Team. The event was poignant for CAP. No longer were we considered merely civic dogooders, but in the words of General Zirkelbach “ You’re part of our team.” And we were treated that way.
And it’s an incredible team. In his address, Gov. Vilsack recognized that the Iowa National Guard is regarded as one of the best in the country. For the Iowa Wing to be considered a part of the Iowa National Guard team is an honor. And today we were part of the team! CAP officers and cadets were indistinguishable from the soldiers and airmen
IAWG also owes a lot to Gov. Vilsack. During his term we have received favorable legislation and funding to allows us to properly function.CAP officers and cadets from IAWG-HQ, Burlington, Davenport, East Iowa Cadet , Washington, Des Moines and Metro Cadet Squadrons were in attendance and got to meet Gov. Vilsack and thank him for his support.
But the day wasn’t about Vice President Cheney, Gov. Vilsack or Civil Air Patrol. It was about the soldiers and airmen who had just returned from Afghanistan earlier in the morning. It was our opportunity to welcome them home and say “thanks.”. It was a day we’ll all remember.
Vice President Cheney Speaks To A Crowd Of Iowa National Guard Soldiers, Iowa Officials, and Civil Air Patrol Officers and Cadets
