Announcements
2009.02.04
February 9th Senior Meeting Moved
On February 9th, the senior meeting of the squadron will not take place at the Illinois Aviation Museum. We are conducting an off-site meeting at Lewis University for an overview of the G1000 ATD (Advanced Training Device). The meeting will start at 1900 hours.
Space is limited. Senior members interested in attending must contact 1LT Chuck Cornell for directions and to determine if space is still available.
The senior meeting will return to IAM on February 16th.
2009.12.06
SPCS Promotions
Congratulations to the following cadets who were promoted and awarded the Curry Ribbon, effective 20 October 2009.
| C/Amn | R. Kolton |
| C/Amn | M. Korta |
Congratulations to the following senior members were also recently promoted.
| 1st Lt. | Chuck Cornell |
| Capt. | Joe Kotowski |
2009.11.17
2010 ILWG Spring Encampment Accepting Applications
The 2010 Illinois Wing Spring Encampment is now accepting applications for the cadet and senior staff. Full instructions and details are available on the encampment web page at http://encampment.group22.net.
2009.11.08
2010 ILWG Summer Encampment Dates Set
The 2010 Illinois Wing Spring Encampment will be held 10 July through 17 July 2010 at Camp Lincoln IMA, Springfield, Illinois.
Time-lines for staff and basics will follow very closely to last year. Additional information will be available closer to the end of this year and the encampment web site at http://www.ilcap.org/se will be updated.
2009.09.30
Squadron Cantigny Outing
On Saturday, October 10, members of this squadron will be visiting the First Division Museum at Cantigny. The museum chronicals the history of "The Big Red One" from its origins in the Revolutionary War to present day. After visiting the museum, attendees can spend some time in the Tank Park - a collection of tanks and other military vehicles.
There's no cost to enter the museum or play in Tank Park. However there is a $5 charge per vehicle for parking. Carpooling with other squadron members will help save some bucks.
Do not wear your Civil Air Patrol uniform. Just wear civilian clothes.
The Museum is open from 10am to 4pm. Try to meet at the museum at 10:30am.
Cadets, if you have trouble finding a ride, contact Maj. Peters or Ltc. Gross and arrangements will try to be worked out.
To get a preview of the museum, visit their website at http://www.firstdivisionmuseum.org. For directions, click here.
2009.08.24
Cadet Ribbons Awarded
Congratulations to the following cadets who earned the following ribbons:
| Encampment Ribbon |
| A. Olsen |
| B. Witek |
| R. Flores |
| Recruiter Ribbon |
| J. Kotowski |
2009.08.17
New CAPR 60-3 Published
A new edition of CAPR 60-3 - CAP Emergency Services Training and Operational Missions has been published. The regulation itself indicates it has been revised in its entirety, i.e. no change bars. It is a bit shorter than the previous version with some material being removed from the reg and made available on the national website. However, plans are in place to merge this reg with CAPR 60-6 and then it will then contain guidance for all operational missions.
As with every major change to this regulation, expect a change to the CAPT 116 General Emergency Services Questionnaire. When that change occurs, anyone with a CAPF 101 card will be required to retake that test within 180 days. An announcement will be posted on this site when that occurs.
2009.08.09
SPCS Cadets To Participate In Bolingbrook Parade
The city of Bolingbrook will hold their 44th Annual "Pathways Parade" on Sunday, September 13th, rain or shine. This year's theme is "On Broadway".
The Shorty Powers Composite Squadron cadets are planning to participate. This year, the squadron plans to have two banner carriers, a 4-person color guard and a marching flight. Parade practices will be announced at the squadron meetings during August.
Participatnts are asked to be lined up by 1:00 p.m. in the Bolingrook High School parking lot. The parade starts at 2:00 p.m. Participants must enter the line-up area from Schmidt Street. More information regarding the parade route is available at www.BolingbrookParade.org.
2009.08.08
Plane Wash and Wax at DuPage
The C182 based at DuPage airport will get a wash and wax on
September 19.
Unfortunately, that doesn't happen by itself. We need senior members and cadets to
help with this activity. Lunch will be provided.
If you are interested in helping out, please contact Maj. Baumgartner or 2LT Cornell. We need to know how many will be participating so enough food is on hand.
More details to follow as they become available.
2009.07.20
2009 Chicago Air and Water Show Information
The 2009 Chicago Air & Water show will be held on 15-16 August. All members, both cadets and seniors, are invited to attend either or both days and help sell official Air & Water Show Programs. Participants will earn money for their home units.
What you need to know:
- Senior members may not wear USAF-style uniforms (i.e. BDUs or Blues). The golf shirt/grey slacks CAP uniform is recommended
- Each person needs to bring their CAP ID and two copies of their CAPF 60
- Sales start no later than 0800 and run through about 1730
- You will be on or by the beach the entire day - bring a full water bottle and sunscreen!
- Lunch will be provided both days
- Members with CAP VHF radios: please bring them
- We will assemble at North Avenue Beach and sign in. You will be given a specific assignment at that time
- Parking is limited and not convenient - car pooling and public transportation is recommended
More information will be coming soon, but if you have any questions that can't wait, please contact me. In the mean time please the dates on your calendar and plan to attend!
Unit Commanders: Please let me know no later than 31 July how many people your unit expects to participate on each day. If possible, please try to balance the members between the two days - in previous years, we were somewhat short-handed on Sunday. Thanks!
*** UPDATE: ***
The only addition I have to what was previously sent out is that we will NOT have a bus running from Schaumburg this year - the increased cost was simply not justified so each unit needs to ensure their members can get to and from the beach. Metra offers $5.00 unlimited rides for the weekend, and I was told that in some instances the cadets were considered "family" and were not charged, but of course there is no guarantee. http://www.metrarail.com/ for more information on train schedules. The 151 - Sheridan CTA bus goes to North Ave Beach. http://www.transitchicago.com/ for bus schedules.
Ideally we would like members to be at the beach by 0800, however we understand public transportation schedules may make that difficult. Likewise, we would like people to stay until 1730, but if you can't, you can't.
---------------------------------------------
Robert Becker, Maj, CAP
Interim Commander
Illinois Wing Group 14
2009.06.16
June Cadet Promotions
Congratulations to the following cadets who were promoted in the month of June:
| C/2LT | D. Murphy |
| C/A1C | A. Najera |
| C/Amn | J. M. D'Argento |
| C/Amn | J. N. D'Argento |
2009.05.19
May Cadet Promotions
Congratulations to the following cadets who were promoted in the month of May:
| C/SrA | R. Flores |
| C/Amn | A. Najera |
| C/Amn | D. Kraus |
| C/Amn | G. Redman-Ernst |
2009.05.05
1st Lt. Kotowski earns CFI rating
1st Lt. Joe Kotowski, a SPCS member and a CAP SAR/DR and Cadet Orientation Pilot, earned his FAA Certified Flight Instructor Certificate on May 5th, 2009. The pilots of the squadron are looking forward to 1LT Kotowski adding CAP Instructor and Check Pilot ratings to his other CAP ratings in the coming months.
Congratulations, 1st Lt. Kotowski.
2009.04.10
Maj. Bartel selected as Great Lakes Region Communicator of the Year
Earlier this year, our own Maj. Bartel was selected as the Illinois Wing Communicator of the Year. We have now learned that he has also been selected as the Great Lakes Region Communicator of the Year, his efforts having been recognized at the higher levels of CAP. Here's hoping for the hat trick!
Congratulations, Maj. Bartel.
2009.03.01
Evaluated SAREX Preparatory Training Missions
From the Wing Director of Operations, Maj. Eric Templeton:To be as prepared as possible for all aspects of our Evaluated Mission for 2009 the following training missions are planned.
Training Mission #1, 28 FEB-01 MAR 2009 - Location of Command Base is Decatur, IL. Airport, budget $1,500. Training Mission #2, 04-05 Apr 2009 - Location of Command Base is Decatur, IL. Airport, budget $1,000. Training Mission #3, 02-03 May 2009 - Location of Command Base is Decatur, IL. Airport, budget $1,000. Training Mission #4, 16-17 May 2009 - Location of Command Base is Decatur, IL. Airport, budget $1,000.
Evaluated Mission, 30-31 May 2009 - Location of Command Base is Decatur, IL. Airport, budget $3,500.
The Decatur Airport FBO is providing facilities for the base operations, air ops, ground ops, and communications for training missions.
Acommodation information:
Hawthorn Suites Decatur
(Closest to airport with shuttle and local walking distance to restraunts.)
2370 South Mt. Zion Road
Decatur, IL 62521 US
FBO Rate is 69.00 per night.
Additionally for missions #2, 3, 4 and the Eval the Decatur Airport will allow for Bivouc on the airport property.
All members of the wing are invited to participate in any specialty you are fully qualified in.
The Evaluated mission and it the pre-eval training missions are focused on the interaction of trained operatives completing the position they are in.
Those who wish to train into a position may do so at these events as time permits.
Please send an email to resources@ilwg.cap.gov with your desire to participate in the training missions and evaluated missions as listed above.
All Mission Base staff positions, GBD, AOBD, OSC, PSC, LSC, IC and Staff will report to and be onsite at Decatur for these training activities. Air and ground resources will be dispatched from both remote and local (Decatur) locations as each mission activity unfolds.
Separate emails will be sent for the details of each training mission.
2009.02.25
Operational Risk Management Course and Test
From your National Safety Officer, Col. Lyle Letteer Jr.:There is also a link to the course and test on our Links page under "Other Training Links". After completing the test, please print the certificate and bring it to a meeting so it can be placed in your personnel file.Your National Safety Team has completed the on-line Basic ORM Course. We would like all members to complete this course to gain a better understanding of what is required for their everyday use of ORM.
The course is made up of Power Point slides followed by a 20 question on-line test. The course and test may be accessed by going to the ORM link on the National Safety web page at http://members.gocivilairpatrol.com/safety/.
This course will be followed up by the Intermediate Level Course designed for Senior Mission Base and FRO's, and the Executive Level Course designed for Commanders. These courses are in final preparation and should be on-ine in the next few weeks.
2009.02.14
Maj. Bartel selected as Illinois Wing Communicator of the Year
Our own Maj. Bartel, former commander of this squadron, and currently serving as our Communications Officer, has been selected as the Illinois Wing Communicator of the Year.
Maj. Bartel contributes a lot to the communications mission of the Civil Air Patrol by serving as instructor for both Basic and Advanced Communications User Training (BCUT/ACUT) courses as well as serving as Communications Unit Leader at the various SAR training missions held throughout the wing, training mission radios operators and other Communications Unit Leaders.
This is a well deserved award for Maj. Bartel. Please join us in congratulating him.
2008.11.17
Applications being accepted for 2009 ILWG Spring Encampment
What: 2009 ILWG Spring EncampmentWhen: 17-19 & 24-26 April 2009 (requested, not confirmed)
Where: Naval Station Great Lakes
RST: 14 March 2009 at NSGL
Web Page: http://encampment.group22.net
Applications are now being accepted for Staff, Basics, and TAC officers for the 2009 ILWG Spring Encampment.
Full details, application procedures, and various deadlines, can be found on the encampment website noted above.
If you have any questions please contact me or a member of staff directly.
Maj. Williams
ROBERT J. WILLIAMS, Maj, CAP
Commander, Illinois Wing Spring Encampment
Email: bwill@group22.net
2008.04.17
Operation Security Training (OPSEC) Now Required
In late 2007, the National Executive Committee decided to mandate OPSEC training for ALL members, including cadets and patron members. They established a deadline of April 1, 2008 for all members to complete the training.We are now passed that date. Those members that have not completed this training are no longer allowed to among other things, access eServices, participate in operational or training missions or fly in CAP aircraft. Attendence at meetings is also restricted where those meetings discuss operational matters. Once the training is complete, those privileges will be restored.
The training is easy. It can be conducted online and takes at most 10 minutes. You will need to know your six-digit CAPID and the last 4 digits of your Social Security number to access the site. To access the training, visit this link: https://tests.cap.af.mil/opsec. The training is not considered completed until you agree to the Non-disclosure agreement present to you at the end.