Check out the July magazine! We'll show you what our cadets got up to at camp.
Education and Training Office
Saturday, June 21 & July 5, 2025 · 9:00 – 11:00 am
Time zone: America/Anchorage
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/vzw-xnos-gtx
Or dial: (PR) +1 787-333-6333 PIN: 606 863 504 3507#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/vzw-xnos-gtx ?pin=6068635043507
Save the date:
Quarterly PCR COMEX, 25-26 July, Pacific Thunder 2025-2. For more information, please contact: Michael.Heil@cawg.cap.gov Bryan.Emerson@awkg.cap.gov.
Kenai
By : Maj. Jan Bobek
Photos by: Zion Henderson & Amber Cole
Every Monday 6:30 to 8:30 Kenai Cadets make Aerospace, Leadership, Health Fitness Zone/ Safety, and Character Development Presentations. The presentations are at appropriate levels and are very well presented. Cadets become more confident when they plan and make the presentations. This process magnifies the CORE Values of Integrity, Volunteer Service, Excellence and Respect. Cadets are always striving to advance as helpful
young people. The Cadet Program supports the process of becoming the best person one can be. They even start to enjoy the process and the results. The proof is: they volunteer more!
Cadets get regular Orientation flights which keep cadets excited about the program. A very high percentage of cadets become pilots or make
aviation the focus in their lives. They study and work very hard in order to meet their life goals. They become safe pilots and join the military or make aviation their life’s work.
This month Aerospace activities were covered. Cadets assembled drones and flew them in the hangar. The aviation plan consisted of participation and progression.
Cadets were 100% focused because that’s the nature of drones. This was a wonderful experience and demanded 100% attention by everyone in the hangar. It also was a first time, unique experience for most cadets. Watching their faces of wonder made the whole experience well worth the time and effort.
Cadets volunteered again at the Kenai Senior Center. They helped with dinner and many happy conversations happened. Cadets are becoming regular, helpful, dependable people. They are always appreciated when they help at the Kenai Center.
Cadets also volunteered at the Snowshoe Gun Club. There was a competition which included shooting at targets. The participants were young boys and adults. Everyone wore safety goggles and earplugs. Each participant competed in eight sessions. After shooting five to seven targets, their scores were marked down. The Official said, “Clear! Clear!” which was the signal for the cadets to run to the targets and paint the dark marks back to white. Then
the targets were ready for the next competitor. It was an important job that the cadets performed. They were really appreciated by the Officials. And it was a lot of fun!
CAP is a force for the better in communities all over the United
States. Cadets are good examples of hard working human beings. Cadets make the community much more productive. The Cadet Program helps young people to become the best human beings they can and that helps the community, our country and our whole world! They support the Core Values and make a better life for all concerned. We are always proud of our Cadets and are grateful they are in our lives.
Birchwood
By:Capt. Sonya R Hood
"We had an awesome meeting Tuesday May 27th! It was promotion night and we were dropped in for a visit by two pilots, Major Ed Kornfield and his student pilot AJ. The weather got a little choppy in the air so they decided to give us a visit and the cadets (and senior members) got an
C/SrA Jacob Foreman
awesome tour of the BT-13, a 1940's baby! Aside from the visit, they gave us a tour, the history of the BT-13 and it's use during WWII, and let the cadets try out the cockpit. What an experience."
C/Lt Col Reagan Benedict III
C/MSgt Alana Morgan and C/MSgt Olivia Morgan
Maj Kornfield and AJ talking to the cadets
BT-13 (cadets from left to right) C/A1C Tyler Perry, C/Amn Jentry Francis, C/Amn Xavier Johnson, C/SMSgt Kaden Mattson, C/SSgt Zachary Kenny, C/SrA Paxson Yelverton, C/A1C Charles Slater, C/SrA Jacob Foreman, C/MSgt Alana Morgan, C/MSgt Olivia Morgan, C/TSgt Cage Klayum, C/CMSgt Jonathan Shelley, C/A1C Sebastien Izatt, C/ CMSgt James Wood, C/Lt Col Reagan Benedict III
For Cadets Who Want Their Private Pilot's Certificate
It's time to get ready for the Cadet Wings Application Opening Tuesday, July 1, 2025!
BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front): Pass your FAA written test. The best time to pass it is when you are 15 1/2 years old. The second-best time is now! Contact Maj Karen Padgett at Karen.padgett@akwg.cap.gov to discuss an individualized plan for you to access CAP resources to advance your aviation training. She loves to help cadets and parents develop individualized training plans!
More details: For cadets with birthdates from 9/10/2005 to 9/10/2009 (ie ~15 1/2 to 19 1/2 years old now in June 2025)
Are you a student in the 2025 AKWG Powered Flight Academy (PFA)? If so, we're already tracking your progress. Make sure you keep up with posts in the PFA Google Chat, and post when you make progress.
Cadets who have soloed (powered or glider) and have passed the FAA written, please join Maj Karen
Padgett 6-8pm Wednesdays 6-8pm on Google Meet code aak-zpnn-ajn to review your Cadet Wings documents for upload on Tuesday 7/1/25. This includes several PFA students, but others who have soloed and passed the written may also attend. These are *not* informational meetings about Cadet Wings. These are workshops to finalize the 10 application documents.
For general information about the Cadet Wings Program, Click here to register for the NHQ Cadet Wings Webinar on Sunday, 6/29/25 at 3pm Alaska Time: https:// events.teams.microsoft.com/ event/1e575581-34ae-4e97-843b6650fdeea82a@129b3010-9044450b-b159-3efcda34a513
If you have soloed but are not in the PFA now, and have *not* passed the FAA Airman Knowledge Test (aka "the written")
(1) Email Major Karen Padgett, AKWG Cadet Flight Training Coordinator, at karen.padgett@akwg.cap.gov (2) Complete ground school, then prep for/take/pass your written test.
(3) Cadets who have passed the written recommend setting aside 51 hours over a 4-8-week period to study and prepare for the written
• If you are using Sporty's Ground School, free to most CAP cadets, spend 17 hours watching all the videos, taking the end-of-video quizzes, and taking notes
• Spend another 17 hours rewatching the videos that you did not completely understand and taking the quizzes, and taking notes
• Spend another 17 hours taking Dauntless practice tests (cost ~$60), analyzing your problem areas, learning your most difficult topics better, and working through those practice questions
• Schedule the test through the FAA website so you have a hard deadline for yourself
• Take the test when you've gotten 90% or better on at least 3 Dauntless tests in a row
• Make sure you take the Sporty's test endorsement certificate with you when you take the official test!
(4) Other ground school options include in-person with your private FBO/flight school instructor, online self-paced or scheduled classes available at many schools (Google "online ground
school"), other in-person classes that might be offered in your community, and virtual individual classes (Google "ground school tutors")
(5) Make sure you have a Student Pilot Certificate and that your FAA medical is current
If you have *not* soloed in a glider or powered aircraft...
(1) Email Major Karen Padgett, AKWG Cadet Flight Training Coordinator, at karen.padgett@akwg.cap.gov
(2) Consider taking flight lessons at a nearby private FBO/flight school (ie do not wait around for a CAP CFI to be available!)
• Plan on 15-25 hr of instruction to see if you are likely to solo if you can condense your instruction into a 2-4week period
• Schedule twice as many lessons as you plan to have due to weather, aircraft, or instructor cancellations
• If you have completed ground school and passed the written, you will be a better student and learn to fly more quickly.
When you need a study break, or if you were born after 9/10/2009, work on the following to make your time
with your instructors more efficient
• Obtain Student pilot certificate (if 14 or older), upload in Ops Quals in eServices & submit it for approval
• FAA Medical (Class 3 or better) & Upload in Ops Quals & submit it for approval
• Even 12-year-olds can do this: Register for Sporty's Ground School for free (see References below)
• If you take your FAA Knowledge Test and pass it, upload that in Ops Quals--Age 15 1/2 is the ideal age so it doesn't expire before you have a chance to take your PPC checkride
• Request o-flights whenever possible
• Take/refresh Aircraft Ground Handling in Absorb (expires every 2 years, but it doesn't hurt to take it more often)
• Take Aircrew Professionalism in Absorb (if the video won't play, try a different device)
• Take Basic Risk Management in Absorb
• Check the Statement of Understanding in Ops Quals/Pilot/ What Do I Need?/Solo Pilot-Airplane in Ops Quals in eServices
References:
• Alaska Wing Website "Cadet Flight
Training Pipeline" page: https://akwg. cap.gov/programs/cp/flighttraining
• The "Cadet Flight Training Pipeline" webpage is moving here in the Alaska Wing Member Portal (must be logged into CAP Google Account to access): www.bit.ly/AKWGCFTP
• Alaska Wing members can create their CAP Google/Gmail account by following these instructions: https://bit. ly/AKWGGoogle or https://lakehood. cap.gov/news/cap-googlegmailaccount-setup
• NHQ Instructions on accessing Sporty's Ground School FREE to all cadets under 18 1/2 yrs old. If you don't know the date of your first o-flight, just estimate: https://www. gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/EAA_ Sign_up_9893109BC2C02.mp4
The Arcturus Squadron cadets have started many new Cyberspace and Aerospace learning objectives over the past month. The first meeting consisted of a rocketry class led by SM Davidson and SM Estrada, in which cadets started the first steps of constructing and assembling model rockets. The
rocketry class lasted for about half an hour and was a helpful activity for the cadets. The rocketry class was followed by a CyberPatriot instructive class that taught the importance of Cyberspace and functions of computer-related items (such as the CPU, etc.)
PT day at the track was an
excellent activity for the cadets as well. After the main portion of the meeting, cadets worked towards completing their physical fitness standards and tests, followed by fun activities that tested them physically while building squadron unity.
Many cadets in the Arcturus Squadron are preparing for the upcoming encampment, as are many other squadrons’ cadets from all over. The main encampment event starts on June 8th, and cadets will be graduating from the event on the 14th.
May 23, at the Palmer Airport Fuel PumpArcturus cadets, Tristan and Sean Tegen, are 'pumped up' after flying their first orientation flight.
CONG TULATIONS
Six Cadets completed all required advancements on promotion night and were able to promote to their next rank. Lt Col McCarthy taught valuable leadership topics to the cadets through Character Development, and all cadets practiced drill that night.
C-Amn Miley Rivers to C-A1C
C-Amn Aiden Betlej to C-A1C
C-AB Tristan Tegen to C-Amn
C-SSgt Victor Estrada to C-TSgt C-A1C Jayden Rivers to C-SrA
C-SSgt Vincent Estrada to C-TSgt
Valdez
By C/CMSgt Taylor
Photos by SM 2d Lt Taylor
May was jampacked for the Valdez Squadron! From aerospace and leadership at their regular Tuesday night meetings to respecting the ones that paved the way at the Memorial Day flag raising, the Valdez Squadron is almost always
doing something. Civil Air Patrol’s motto is: “Semper Vigilans” meaning always vigilant or always ready. During the annual Valdez Fly-in the Valdez color guard truly exampled that motto. During
Photo by Amy Sims
The Valdez color guard presenting the colors at the Mayday Fly-in.
Left to right: C/CMSgt David Sims, C/CMSgt Taylor, C/CMSgt Joshua Sims, C/
A1C Larsen
the days leading up to the Fly-in the event staff had said they had a skydiver planned to present the flag, but once the day came the sky was overcast with clouds too low to accommodate the stunt. The Valdez
Squadron commander told the Valdez cadets that they were up to present the flag so, already being at the airport the Valdez color guard got their gear together and marched out as if they were planning to all along.
Pinning ceremony for Cadet Spadafora.
Back to front: Cadets from Homer and Valdez Squadrons in formation, Spadafora C/Basic - C/ Airmen with his parents pinning his new insignia on, C/CMSgt Taylor calling commands for the ceremony, Squadron commander Lt Col McIntyre
“Nothing is going to be easy, but we have the
Taps was played and silence was given for those that have come before: During Memorial Day at 12:00pm the Valdez Squadron and many community members showed up at the Valdez veterans memorial to give respect and raise the flag back to full staff.
Memorial Day flag raising at the Veterans Memorial Park.
Left to right: C/Airmen Spadafora and C/CMSgt Joshua Sims saluting the flag, C/ CMSgt David Sims playing taps on his trumpet`.
Photo by Amy Sims
• Squadron historian
The squadron historian keeps track of all documents pertaining to squadron activities, events, meetings, etc. and keeps them in one place for easy access in the future.
• Recruitment and Retention officer
We are all a part of Recruitment and Retention and with that in mind the R&R officer is here to help. The R&R officer would put on courses and training to make sure everyone knows how to best present our squadron when trying to recruit friends, family, and the general public.
Valdez Squadron
• Public Affairs officer
The Public Affairs officer makes sure our squadron is seen and is being seen by: 1. Keeping the squadron social media pages up-to-date. 2. Taking photos, and making squadron articles; taking up my position of writing this so Cadets like me can better their time in their other squadron positions.
• Public Affairs assistant
The Public Affairs assistant helps the Public Affairs officer and in turn makes their job easier. They could be the one taking photos, putting up flyers around town, or simply just be another pair of eyes for their articles before there submitted.
open staff positions:
• Supply Officer
The Supply Officer makes sure the hanger and meeting room is in order, and that all inventory items are accounted for.
• Cadet Advisory Council assistant representative
CAC is a council of representatives from each squadron, in each wing, that comes together to make Civil Air Patrol a bigger and better program. The assistant representative would attend CAC meetings and step in for the primary representative in the case he/she can’t make it to the meeting.
• Activity meetings officer
The member in this position would ideally be wellrounded and on task. They would hone in on Cadets interests and plan meetings outside of the regular squadron meetings in accordance with the topics the cadets would like to dive deeper into.
First Alaska UAS Search
By Lt Col David Thompsen
Birchwood Composite Squadron Commander
It all started with a plan to get fiddle heads. These are basically baby ferns that are edible in many dishes. It was Memorial Weekend 2025 and a couple headed up to Buffalo Mine Road north of Palmer to start their adventure into the woods in search of them.
Aircraft Systems. They arrived soon after and contacted the (IC) Incident Commander on site.
They were looking for a woman wearing a turquoise jacket and camo pants and hat. Soon after they were
Monday morning, RCC dispatched Civil Air Patrol to provide an air search of this area as a woman in her 60’s was lost. Also called were Captain Doug Heisner and SM Nick Perry of Birchwood squadron. They were on the ground but doing an aerial search with drones or (UAS) Unmanned
doing an initial search as requested by the IC. They dispatched the Skydio X2D drone (as shown in the pictures) to conduct the search. They did a parallel search pattern using thermal and RGB cameras. Soon after there was word of a possible blue back pack lying in a clear area next to a
stream. The IC then requested our team to check out this clue. They then reverted to a creeping line search to follow this stream. They were close to completing this route and the IC instructed everyone the lady had been found.
She had separated from her partner and got lost in this area. Luckily it was Memorial Weekend and there were several four wheelers out recreating that found her and were able to bring her to a cabin and make a call. And so another successful search.
This is the first actual Civil Air Patrol Search mission in Alaska (and probably most of the rest of the United States) with UAS. It won’t be the last. Several Birchwood Members are getting heavily involved in drones and we are advancing our training. As Alaska sees fewer planes and pilots, the UAS will be what takes up part of the slack.
Current regulation calls for an observer to physically always see the drone. You may have more than one. Current regulations also call for CAP
UAS missions to be flown under the Corporate Mission Code instead of the Air Force Mission Code. On 6 June 2025, An Executive Order was signed to direct the FAA be able to expand drone operations to enable “Beyond Visual Line of Sight” . Also to integrate the civil UAS into the National Airspace System. This should have an impact down the road on these issues.
Most have not heard of the Civil Air Patrol UAS program but with this first of many actual searches and the advancement of the President’s Executive Order, this may be changing. At least at the Birchwood Squadron.
Interview
By Laura Emerson
Capt. Doug Heisner is one of those people who seems to have been everywhere and done everything. After he completed his tour of duty in the army back in the late ‘60’s, he went back to school , completed his education in Transportation Management, graduated from a professional aviation academy, and started his career commercial aviation career as a Flight Instructor. He Moved to Alaska in the late 70’s and worked as a bush pilot in Nome and Fairbanks, then pursued his career as an Airline Pilot until he retired in 2003.
“It was my grandchildren who introduced me to drones, also known as UAS or unmanned aerial systems. They bought a $50 one and flew it around the back yard. They said, ‘Granddad, you are a pilot. You fly it. In the first few minutes I crashed it into three trees and two roofs. I was hooked.”
“UAS or drones are widely misunderstood and miscalculated. While they are primarily used for reconnaissance, their potential in warfare and commerce is enormous, especially considering their low price point.”
“A big problem in the USA is the lack of standard protocols. There are 7 million registered drone operators across the country, some of whom can’t even spell drone. The FAA has failed miserably to get ahead of this technology. We are at a point like the early days of flying when any barnstormer could fly without a license. “
After that, he moved to the Arizona/ Utah border area and started a cattle ranch. He then went back to school, graduated from a maritime training academy and stared a new career as a Merchant Mariner. He worked as a fishing guide down in Ketchikan for 3 years. He has served in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary for the past 18 years. Heisner had heard of CAP for twenty years, and in 2020 finally joined in Utah. He moved to Arizona in 2021. Now he is a member of the Alaska Wing AK-001 Headquarters Squadron assigned as the DOUV - Over the past five years, he has been instrumental in helping develop drone programs for Utah, Nevada and Arizona Wings.
So, for CAP, Captain Heisner has worked tirelessly to develop manuals, recommend standardized training procedures for mission pilots and technicians, and conduct 2-3 day clinics to train and certify both senior
and cadet members as Recreational Plots, Technicians and Mission Pilots. He has also worked with Wing Commanders to secure state grants to buy drones. Some Wings own a few drones – Alaska has 5 – but participants often train with their personal drones. He is currently planning a clinic in the Anchorage area in June. Interested parties can contact him at 657183@ akwg.cap.gov
“Drones are a terrific way to engage cadets in aviation, especially now
that Alaska has cancelled its glider program. They will become a much bigger part of our Search and Rescue Operations. Unfortunately, two of the five UAS assets assigned to the Alaska Wing were discovered to be damaged and un-airworthy; they were sent back to National and will be replaced with more up to date drones.”
Our Wing’s drone program is behind others in the country, despite all the reasons that Alaska embraces aviation. Doug Heisner looks forward to working with any senior and cadet members to grow our drone program.
LET’S INCREASE WING MEMBERS’
By Laura Emerson
The more members we have who are qualified (technician, senior, and master ratings) in various emergency specialties, the better prepared the Alaska Wing is to serve the community in times of need. Many members have been so active that they already or nearly qualify for these credentials. Get the credit you deserve! That lets us know that you are ready to serve when needed.
COMMUNICATIONS
The Communications Track is a specialty that is accessible for members of all ages, in urban and rural areas, for non-pilots and Emergency Service qualified people, and for people who like to work alone or in groups. The Wing is actively working to position radios and train people throughout the state, with the support of our partner agencies, such as the Air Force. CAP qualified communicators are the nexus between ground team searchers and pilots, or among disparate first responders coordinating actions
in a local, regional, or national emergency. They are instrumental to transmitting priority information in a timely and accurate manner during fast moving emergencies. They can use cell phones (when they work) but need to also train on radios (which work when and where cell phones do not).
Earning the technician level qualification requires only EIGHT accomplishments. Many readers interested in the importance of communications have likely already fulfilled 3 or 4. To get credit, contact Lt Col Bryan Emerson (Bryan. Emerson@akwg.cap.gov) after you have taken the short, online courses and are ready to demonstrate inperson competencies.
A) Required online classes (selfscheduled and self-timed):
1) Introduction to Communication: (ICUT - see Absorb in eServices.)
2) Complete short NIMS courses IS 100, 200, 700, and 800 (https://www. firstrespondertraining.gov/frts/npcc).
B) Schedule a call to demonstrate
SPECIALTY QUALIFICATIONS FOR FUTURE EMERGENCIES
proficiency to Director of Communications, Lt Col Bryan Emerson.
1) Show familiarity with CAP publications below *
2) Simulate radio-telephone procedures, message format, distress and emergency communications, and communications safety.
3) Demonstrate knowledge of radio station types, call signs, functional designators, and authorization procedures
C) Participation:
1) Attend one group, wing or region sanctioned communications meeting.
2) Participate in one communication exercise sanctioned by the Wing Director of Communications (such as during an Encampment) or one mission (8 hours minimum) in any communications capacity.
D) Serve with 6 months experience as a unit/assistant unit communications officer.
The Wing Communications team
welcomes the occasional or frequent participation of cadet and senior members. Your interest is great. Your knowledge will be important.
The AK Wing Inspector General is looking for members interested in becoming qualifiedin Subordinate Unit Inspections (SUI’s) to assist the IG Program in Alaska and beyond.
Inspector Candidates will take online training at their own pace and then get qualified onthe job inspecting squadrons and flights in Alaska in accordance with CAPR 20-3.
Position is suitable for remote work! Assignments are for individual inspections, allowingflexibility to coordinate with a personal schedule. Inspectors interested in the IG Specialty Track can become Assistant Inspector Generals.
Assistant Public Affairs Officer
Public Relations, Digital Engagement and Creative Services
Works with Public Affairs Officer to provide oversight across AKWG units and staff to ensure a CAP-compliant and active social media presence.
Provides units and staff education. Training to develop and sustain relevant social media activities. Advises the commander, staff and members as required on CAP social media policy.
Health Services Officer
Responsible for advising CAP commanders and units on the health, sanitation and hygiene of CAP members relevant to CAP activities. (See CAPR 160-1(I) for policy on emergency medical treatment).
The logistics officer advises the wing commander on the status of their respective property management programs and leads programs in accordance with CAPR 130-1 and wing supplements. They shall: Train and oversees subordinate unit property management officers Account for property assigned to the wing. Be responsible for real property management in accordance with CAPR 130-1
Website Administrator
A webmaster, also known as a website administrator, is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of an organization's websites and servers. Their responsibilities include site maintenance: Performing routine maintenance and updates to ensure sites are functional, current, and accessible. Webmasters should be able to work independently and with a team, meet deadlines, adapt quickly, and have good communication skills.
FOR FULL JOB DESCRIPTION AND DUTIES, REFER TO CAPP 30-1
Raise your hand if you had fun at Encampment, learned a lot there or are kicking yourself that you did not go this year. Well, that was unanimous! Thanks to all those who participated and worked hard to make it a success, especially to Lt. Jeremy Engeberg, the Encampment Commander this year. Next up is UAS (drone) training with
Capt. Doug Heisner. This is another way to get your wings. Cadets have been taking many Orientation and Check rides, way to go! Sign up now with Lt. Michele Bremer for the August “20 Seconds More” exercise hosted by Communications and Operations. Get out there, enjoy the nice weather and live the core values.
Lt Col Bryan Emerson, CAP Publisher and Editor
Alaska Wing PAO, DC bryan.emerson@akwg.cap.gov (M) 1 (907) 795-5586
Capt. Julie G. Rivera, CAP Co-Editor
Alaska Wing PAO Assistant julie.rivera@akwg.cap.gov (M) 1 (787) 424-0560
