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After the GRAC (Group Realignment and Closing Commission) was completed in mid October 2007, Illinois Wing Groups were re-configured.

Groups 12 and 19 were deactivated and reactivated as Group 1,

we now cover all of Southern Illinois.

Termination of 121.5 MHz Beacons for Satellite Alerting is Coming Soon Notice Number: NOTC0981   On 1 February 2009, the International Cospas-Sarsat [1] Organization (U.S. included) will terminate processing of distress signals emitted by 121.5 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs). This means that pilots flying aircraft equipped with 121.5 MHz ELTs after that date will have to depend on pilots of over flying aircraft and or ground stations monitoring 121.5 to hear and report distress alert signals, transmitted from a possible crash site.   Why is this happening?   Although lives have been saved by 121.5 MHz ELTs, the downside has been their propensity to generate false alerts (approximately 98 percent of all 121.5 MHz alerts are false), and their failure to provide rescue forces with timely and accurate crash location data. Both of which actually delay rescue efforts and have a direct effect on an individual's chance for survival. Rescue forces have to respond to all 121.5 MHz alerts to determine if they are real distress alerts or if they are being generated by an interferer, an inadvertent activation (by the owner) or equipment failure.   Is there an alternative?   Yes, the Cospas-Sarsat System (U.S. included) has been and will continue processing emergency signals transmitted by 406 MHz ELTs. These 5 Watt digital beacons transmit a much stronger signal, are more accurate, verifiable and traceable to the registered beacon owner (406 MHz ELTs must be registered by the owner in accordance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulation). Registration allows the search and rescue authorities to contact the beacon owner, or his or her designated alternate by telephone to determine if a real emergency exists. Therefore, a simple telephone call often solves a 406 MHz alerts without launching costly and limited search and rescue resources, which would have to be done for a 121.5 MHz alert. For these reasons, the search and rescue community is encouraging aircraft owners to consider retrofit of 406 MHz ELTs or at a minimum, consider the purchase of a handheld 406 MHz Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) which can be carried in the cockpit while continuing to maintain a fixed 121.5 MHz ELT mounted in the aircraft's tail.   Remember, after February 1, 2009, the world-wide Cospas-Sarsat satellite system will no longer process 121.5 MHz alert signals. Pilots involved in aircraft accidents in remote areas will have to depend on pilots of over flying aircraft and or ground stations to hear emergency ELT distress signals. For further information concerning the termination of 121.5 MHz data processing visit www.sarsat.noaa.gov   [1] The Cospas-Sarsat Organization provides a satellite based world-wide monitoring system that detects and locates distress signals transmitted by Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs), Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) and Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs). The system includes space and ground segments which process the signals received from the beacon source and forwards the distress alert data to the appropriate Rescue Coordination Center for action.   Address SARSAT inquiries to: NOAA SARSAT NSOF. E/SP3 4231 Suitland Road Suitland, MD 20746 Phone: 301.817.4515 Toll free: 888.212.7283 Fax: 301.817.4565   You have received this notice from FAASafety.gov because you have selected "General Information" in your preferences on your FAASafety.gov account. Click here to log in and edit your preferences on FAASafety.gov.

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3 August 2007

Two Scott Composite Squadron Cadets earned their Ground Team Member 3 Qualification. SMSgt Dennis McFadden III and TSgt James Pratt were presented the Basic Ground Team Badge for their accomplishments.

24 June 2007

Scott Composite Squadron has moved to a new location on base. The Chapel 2 Annex (Building 5713) is the their new Headquarters. More info to follow.

http://www.mariondaily.com/articles/2007/05/09/news/news01.txt

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Civil Air Patrol trains for its role in a potential local emergency

C/SSgt James Pratt from Scott Air Force Base keeps in contact with ground and air crews during a mission sortie. (DIANE WILKINS PHOTO)

By Diane Wilkins, Marion Daily Republican, wilkins@mariondaily.com
Published: Wednesday, May 9, 2007 11:25 AM CDT

WILLIAMSON COUNTY — A 24-hour torrential downpour with severe thunderstorms and massive flooding has hit Southern Illinois and you have been activated.

That is the scenario that officials of the Illinois Wing of the Civil Air Patrol were faced with as an evaluated training mission began in Williamson County.

The mission brought resources from the entire state, including seven aircraft, five ground teams and approximately 60 people to the Williamson County Emergency Management Agency building. The WCEMA was a natural choice for command headquarters, with communications equipment already in place to augment equipment brought by each squadron.

One of the first assignments for crews was to do damage assessment and search for those who may be trapped due to the flooding.

Throughout the two-day exercise, different incidents were added to the mission to evaluate response capability.
On Sunday, in addition to the tasks already being performed, a call of a plane down in Cairo was added to agenda. A search plane was launched and ground teams responded to the location to search and secure the area.

All of these tasks were being done under the watchful eye of evaluators who scored the responses and how each task was handled.

“The Southern Illinois area was chosen because of it proximity to the New Madrid Fault,” Illinois Wing Commander Col. Maurice Givens said. “This area has the potential of being an area where extensive resources would be needed in the event of a disaster. ”Air sorties were limited in the early hours of each morning because of low cloud ceilings, but as the morning cleared over 20 sorties were able to launch.

The CAP received numerous tasking assignments including disaster assessment photo reconnaissance, a missing person search and several overdue aircraft scenarios initiated by Emergency Locator Transmitters.

The Air Force evaluates each wing every two years to insure proficiency and a high state of readiness.
The Illinois Wing received an overall excellent rating in 13 categories,

For the entire mission, there were nine ground sorties; 36 air sorties with at total of 79 hours flown.

Lt. Col. Rick Oeth was Incident Commander with the ultimate responsibility of keeping all the various functions running efficiently. During the weekend, Cadets and officers camped at Giant City Lodge.

ILWG Members Graduate from the National Search and Rescue School

Six members of the Illinois Wing attended the National Search and Rescue School - Inland SAR Planning Course. It was held the week of 5-9 March 2007 at the Will County Health Department in Joliet, IL.

The US Air Force SAR School instructors worked at the AFRCC before there current assignment.

The mission of the National Search and Rescue School is to promote standardization and professionalism within the search and rescue community by providing comprehensive Search and Rescue training to selected Coast Guard, Air Force and other US and foreign Military personnel. The course not only included tabletop exercises, but the curriculum has been changed over the years to include newly developed computer search planning programs and advances in search theory and application. Additionally, many instructional technology changes have been incorporated which allow the school to maintain its distinction as the premier school of its type in the world.

Attending from ILWG were:
Major Robert Taylor (IL-001) - ILWG ES Officer
Major Eric Templeton (IL-001) - ILWG Current Operations Officer
Lt Col Ted Lohr (IL-286) - ILWG Assistant ES Officer & Group 19 ES Officer
1st Lt Matthew Brown (IL-999) - ILWG Search and Rescue Officer
1st Lt Jeremy Hendricks (IL-240) - Squadron ES Officer
Cadet James Schroeder (IL-337)

National SAR School

17 February 2007
Scott AFB, Illinois
By, Lt Col Ted E. Lohr

Group 19 is located in the Illinois Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (US Air Force Auxiliary)

The 2007 Group 19 Annual Awards Banquet was sponsored by the Scott Composite Squadron and held at the Scott AFB golf course clubhouse on 17 February 2007. The event attracted almost 90 people. Chief Master Sergeant Tony Wyatt (USAF, Ret.) was the Keynote Speaker. Chief Wyatt spoke about three points that would inspire CAP Cadets to be the future of the Air Force and the United States; He also thanked all Civil Air Patrol Members for their service.

Notable visitors included:

• Col Maurice Givens – Illinois Wing Commander

• Lt Col Ricky Oeth – Illinois Wing Chief of Staff

• Maj Jimmy Boozer – Illinois Wing Chaplain

• Capt John Brendel – Illinois Wing Safety Officer

• Maj Norman Morrisette – Civic Memorial Senior Squadron Commander

• Maj Scott Sommer – Scott Composite Squadron Commander

• Maj Mike Thompson – 286th Composite Squadron Commander

• Maj Brian Greer – CAP-USAF Liaison Officer

• Staff Sergeant Morgan Young – Air Force Sergeant’s Association

• Guest Speaker and Guest of Honor – Chief Master Sergeant Tony Wyatt

• Col Alan Hunt – 375th AW Commander visited to congratulate the incoming
  Group commander.
  
  The Scott Composite Squadron Award recipients include: (Note-Ranks are at the time of the award)
  Cadet of the Quarter Awards

• 1st Quarter – C/A1C Dennis McFadden III

• 2nd Quarter – C/Amn Sean Roberts

• 3rd Quarter - C/Amn James Pratt

• 4th Quarter – C/A1C Austin Jeanneret

• Cadet of the Year – C/MSgt Caitlin Mueller

• Commander’s Award – C/SSgt Benjamin Sies

• Air Force Sergeant’s Award – C/MSgt Caitlin Mueller

• Senior Member(s) of the year – 2nd Lt Darrell Martin & 2nd Lt Lori Martin
  (1st time for co-recipients)

Lt Col Gale presented Commanders Commendation Awards to Maj Norm Morrisette and 1st LT Bill Wirth. He also presented Certificates of Appreciation to Maj Dave Felber, Maj Jacqueline Miller, and Capt John Brendel for their help on Group staff and, Maj Norm Morrisette, Maj Mike Thompson, Maj Scott Sommer as Squadron Commanders within Group 19.

In addition to the Banquet, there was a change of Command at Group 19 Headquarters.

Col Maurice Givens, the Illinois Wing Commander officiated the change of command from Lt Col Richard Gale to Lt Col Paul Hertel.

Lt Col Gale served for 9 years as the Group 19 Commander. Prior to that he was the Commander of the Scott Composite Squadron. We applaud him for many years of dedicated service. Col Givens presented Lt Col Gale with a Commanders Commendation Award for his accomplishments.

Lt Col Paul Hertel brings with him years of experience and training in CAP as well as retiring from the United States Air Force after 20 years. Lt Col Hertel started in CAP as a cadet in Wisconsin Wing, and then in the USAF he traveled the world as a technician in Air Force Combat Communications such as "Hammer Ace". He has achieved Level V in the CAP Officer Professional Development Program. Lt Col Hertel is a Mission Observer, Mission Information Officer, and Urban Direction Finding Team Member. Lt Col Hertel said he is honored and humbled to be selected as the new Group 19 Commander and he thanks all of those that work very hard every day to make Group 19 such a success.

The Banquet Cake

The Head Table

L-R: Cadet Matthew Lippum and Maj Richard Louderstadt

This is a cake ceremony where the youngest Cadet shares a small cake with the oldest Officer in the Group

Chief Master Sergeant Tony Wyatt (USAF, Ret.) and his Wife Ann

Cadet of the Quarter Awards

1st Quarter – C/A1C Dennis McFadden III (Not Present)

2nd Quarter – C/Amn Sean Roberts

3rd Quarter - C/Amn James Pratt

4th Quarter – C/A1C Austin Jeanneret

L-R:

Cadet of the Year – C/MSgt Caitlin Mueller

Commander’s Award – C/SSgt Benjamin Sies

Air Force Sergeant’s Award – C/MSgt Caitlin Mueller

Senior Member(s) of the year – 2nd Lt Darrell Martin and 2nd Lt Lori Martin
(1st time for co-recipients)

Lt Col Gale presents Commanders Commendation Awards to 1st LT Bill Wirth and Maj Norm Morrisette

Lt Col Gale gives Certificates of appreciation to his Group 19 Staff

L-R: Capt john Brendel and Maj Jacqueline Miller (Maj Dave Felber was not present)

Lt Col Gale gives Certificates of appreciation to all three Squadron Commanders

L-R: Maj Norm Morrisette, Maj Mike Thompson, and Maj Scott Sommer

Col Givens presents Lt Col Gale with a Commander Commendation Award

Col Givens officiates the Group 19 Change of Command from Lt Col Gale to Lt Col Hertel

Lt Col Paul Hertel presents Chief Master Sergeant Tony Wyatt (USAF, Ret.) a token of our appreciation for him being our guest speaker

L-R:

Col Maurice Givens (Illinois Wing Commander)

Lt Col Rick Oeth (Illinois Wing Chief of Staff)

Lt Col Paul Hertel (Group 19 Commander) and his wife, Maj Carol Hertel

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Copyright firearsn © 2007, 2008.

Last revised: 10 June 2008