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The Martinsburg Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol Vol. 5 No. 1
~~~~~~~~~
Capt Stephen Petty, Commander Capt Russell G. Voelker, Publisher & Editor Jan - Mar 2010
www.martinsburgcap.comwww.martinsburgcap.com
U.S. Navy recognizes Civil Air Patrol and First RespondersU.S. Navy recognizes Civil Air Patrol and First Responders
Elkins, W.Va --Battling freezingemperatures and treacherouserrain of the West Virginia moun-ains didn't seem to stop groundeam members from the Beckleyand Mercer Composite Squadronsof the West Virginia Wing, and
ocal first responders from whatmost are saying is a "Miracle onhe Mountain."
A U.S. Navy MH-60S helicopterrom Helicopter Sea Combat WingAtlantic (HSCWL) and HelicopterSea Combat Squadron Two Six(HSC-26) went down in a remotemountainside of PocahontasCounty, W.Va., back on February18. The chopper, in route from Ft.Pickett, Va., to Camp Dawson,W.Va., was carrying 11 Navy per-sonnel, four Army National
Guardsmen, and two Marines
The group was participating in"Operation Southbound TrooperX", an annual exercise focusingon the integration of joint U.S. andNATO tactics, and procedures aswell as inter-service coordinationand capabilities when the crashhappened, according to a press
release from Mike Maus, DeputyForce Public Affairs Officer.
Weather conditions almost onemonth later were very different astwo Black Hawk helicopterslanded at the Elkins- Randolph
County Airport. A large group ofthose squadron members arrivedto award members of the WestVirginia Wing, local first respond-ers, and others with the successfulrescue of those 17 troops during arecognition ceremony held in El-kins, W.Va.
Each in attendance received apicture of the helicopter signed byits crew, a plaque, and specialcoins presented by members ofthe Norfolk, Va. based squadron.
Major General Allen Tackett, Adju-tant General of the West VirginiaNational Guard, and Rear AdmiralDavis Anderson, vice commanderof the U.S. Fleet Forces Com-mand, were among the militarydignitaries present for the awardceremony. Three of the troopsaboard the ill-fated chopper werealso present to thank the rescue
personnel.
Captain Stephen Schreiber, Com-mander Helicopter Sea CombatWing Atlantic, and CommanderHeath Howell, Commanding Offi-cer, Helicopter Sea Combat
Squadron 26, could not sayenough about the professionalismand dedication.
"I truly don't have words that canexpress how thankful I am and theNavy is for what everyone in thisroom, and those who couldn'tmake it in today, have done for all17 of our crew to get them off thatmountain," said Schreiber.
"It was a team effort, to have allthose agencies work together,"said Col Rod Moore, W.Va. Wing
Vice Commander. "I'm certainlyproud of ourorganization,and to thosepeople whoparticipated inthis missionunder difficultconditions tolend aid in this
rescue."
"It's very gratifying with all thetraining I've received and it paioff with 17 saves," said MajorDave Chaney, ground teamleader. "My team was very pro
sional and they provided a lot ohelp in this whole situation."
Chaney reported that it was neessary to transport the victims stretcher for a distance of apprmately 500 to 600 yards througsnow that was waist deep, ordeeper, to a snow cat suppliedSnowshoe Mountain Resort, theventually transported them tobase of operations. From therethey were transported to localhospitals.
See Navy Award - P
By Maj Jeff Schrock, WV Wing
U.S. Navy MH-60S helicopter
Right W.Va. Wing Director of
Emergency Services, and
incident commander for the
mission, Lt Col Eugene Thorn
receives a plague, coins, and
a helicopter picture signed by
the crew from Commander
Heath Howell, Commanding
Officer, Helicopter Sea Com-
bat Squadron 26
Photo by Maj Jeff SchPhoto by Maj Jeff Sch
Photo by Maj Jeff SchrocPhoto by Maj Jeff Schroc
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Are YouCommitted?
By 1st Lt Adam Sanders
To be an effectiveleader it's important to be commit-ted. Commitment is the ingredientfor success in school, profession-ally, and in Civil Air Patrol. With-out it, goals go unmet and thefeeling of accomplishment will beever absent. So how does onemaintain commitment?
First, we have to understand thedefinition of commitment. Thedictionary defines commitment asthe following: "The state of beingbound emotionally or intellectuallyto a course of action". Whatcourse of action have you commit-ted to in Civil Air Patrol; in life? All
too often we set a course of action(i.e. New Years resolutions) butwhen the course of action meetsconflict, the commitment getstested. Commitment is alwaysdefined in times of conflict. It'seasy to be committed when every-thing is going well, but when con-flict arises, commitment is chal-lenged. As you aspire in leader-ship in the CAP programs and inlife, I challenge you to choose tobe committed in the good timesand in the difficult ones. Choosingto be committed when the chips
are down will help enhance yourleadership potential.
Weekly Uniform Schedule*
LeadershipDress Blues
Aerospace EducationBDUs
Character DevelopmentDress Blues
Physical FitnessCivilian PT Clothes
*Schedule is subject to change
Squadron Christmas Party (Dec 27th)avy Award, from Page 1
Lt Col Eugene Thorn, incidentommander for the mission,
was told in talking to the Navyand the Air Force Rescue Co-
rdination Center many timesuring the night, how im-
pressed they were with theactions of the volunteers fromhe W.Va. Wing Ground Team.
This mission is likely the mosttrenuous effort that has been
put forth by a CAP GroundTeam for many years," saidThorn. "It shows the fortitudeand determination that comesrom constant training, and aesire to help our fellow man."
The Navy said it's still investi-ating the cause of the crash.
Of the 17 crew members andpassengers on board the heli-
opter, only two remain in theospital and the Navy says itxpects them to make a fullecovery.
Smithsonian Air & Space Museum Trip
A good time was had by all that attended this years squadron annualChristmas Party. The event was held at the home of Cadet Nick KeefeThanks goes out to Liz McCarthy for her kind hospitality and also to 1
Stansbury for the JingoPrizes.
(Above) Everybodys playing(Above) Everybodys playing JINGOJINGO
11stst
Lt Stansbury,Lt Stansbury,What do bad kids get for ChristmWhat do bad kids get for Christm
Docent Raphael Jeu jokes with MartinsburgC/Amn David Lee during the guided tour
WV Wing Commander, Col De
Barron participates in an exerciDocent, Raphael Jeu
On Wednesday, Dec 30th, 13 Martinsburg members and one former ctraveled to Washington, DC to tour the Smithsonian Air & Space MuseUpon their arrival they were met by Smithsonian Docent, Mr. RaphaelMr Jeu provided a guided tour that was both entertaining and highly etional.
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Promotions & Awar
1st LtPudge Forrester
The following members receivRed Service Ribbon, which
sented for two years ofactive service.
1st Lt Pudge Forrester2 Lt William Johnston
2 Lts John and Cindy McN
Upcoming Events
April 9 - 11Training Weekend
Camp Dawson, Kingwood, WV
April 10Berkeley County Health Fair
Berkeley County Health Dept.
April 16-18MER Conference
Richmond, VA
April 16 - 18USAF Observed SAREX
Bluefield, WV
May 15Firing Range Activity & ES Training
167th Facility
June 26 - July 3WV Summer EncampmentCamp Dawson, Kingwood, WV
FYI: Always check the squadron activities calendar, on the
members page of our website, for updates.
Welcome New Memb
Cadets: Elijah Bui & Ian Sul
Senior Members: Robert NaSherie Main and Samuel Br
Photo by Robert SullivanPhoto by Robert Sullivan
-R; Talk Show Host, Leslie Lopez, Cadets: Cam-eron Morris, Tim Dye, Caleb Sullivan and
Co-Host Jamie Lopez.
Feb 2nd WEPM Radio Interview
Aircrew Training
n Saturday, March 20th, a flight crewonsisting of: Lt Col Shelton Davis, Captarry Dean and 1st Lt Adam Sandersew to Clarksburg to participate in air-
rew training. Lt Col Davis also taughtart of the training.
MER CadetCompetition
By Capt Stephen L. Petty
On March 20, five cadets from theMartinsburg Composite Squadronparticipated in the Middle East Re-
gion Cadet competition held at the Fort PickettArmy National Guard Training Center, about 90minutes Southwest of Richmond, VA.
The events included: Inspection, Indoor StandardDrill, Outdoor Practical, Indoor Practical, Mile Run,and Panel Quiz.
The WV Color Guard consisted of cadets:C/SMSgt John Dye, C/MSgt Tim Dye, C/SMSgtCaleb Sullivan and C/SSgt Ty Stansbury. CadetC/SMSgt Brandon Might accompanied the ColorGuard as a Cadet Observer, and event photogra-pher. 1Lt Dirk Stansbury and Capt Steve Pettyaccompanied the cadets.
Cadet Stansbury had the second-fastest time inthe Color Guard Mile Run for Males. The Martins-burg Color Guard put forth a good effort. They
also made new friends with team members fromthe other Wings.
Congratulations to the North Carolina Wing forwinning the MER Color Guard competition. Theywill go on to the National CAP Cadet Competition. Photos by C/SMSgt Brand
When Dori Martin and
Marylyn Myers Peyton
joined the U.S. Air force in
the 1940s, little did they
know that they would one
day become a part of
history.
Martin, 88, and Peyton,
86, were part of the thou-
sand or so women who
were recruited as civilian
pilots in the U.S. militaryat the height of World War
II. These Women Air
Force Service Pilots --
better known as WASP --
became the first females
to fly military aircraft for
the U.S. armed forces.
"We never thought of
ourselves as making
history," Martin said.
Today, nearly 66 years
after their service, the first
fly girls will be awarded
the Congressional gold
medal"
"I never thought it would
happen," Peyton said of
the recognition.
It's wonderful," Martin
said. "Nobody even knew
about us."
About 175 WASPs and more
than 2,000 representatives
of deceased WASPs at-
tended the ceremony on
Capitol Hill today to accept
the Congressional gold
medals, which rank with the
Presidential Medal of Free-
dom as the highest civilian
honors bestowed for cour-
age, service and dedication.
First Female Air Force Pilots GetGold Honor
By Huma Khan