Archive for August 2, 2012

| August 2, 2012
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Omaha Cadet Earns High Honor

Congressman Lee Terry presents Cadet Frazell’s promotion.

Omaha, NE. Cadet Garrett Frazell of Omaha Nebraska has been awarded CAP’s highest Cadet Honor; the General Carl A Spaatz Award.

Cadets qualify for this prestigious award after devoting an average of five years to progress through

sixteen achievements in the CAP Cadet Program. Along the way they develop self-discipline, a strong sense of personal responsibility, the ability to lead and persuade, and the foundation necessary for pursuing a career in aviation, space, or technology. The final step a cadet must complete to earn the Spaatz Award is a rigorous four-part exam consisting of a challenging physical fitness test, an essay exam testing their moral reasoning, a comprehensive written exam on leadership, and a comprehensive written exam on aerospace education. Upon passing the Spaatz Award exams, the cadet is promoted to the grade of cadet colonel.

 

Congressman Lee Terry congratulates Cadet Frazell as NE Wing Commander Daivd Plum Looks on.

Cadet Frazell, a member for almost six years, has availed himself of many of the opportunities afforded him by CAP. He previously was selected to attend the USAF sponsored Undergraduate Pilot Training Familiarization Course and the prestigious National Powered Flight Academy. Frazell is beginning his senior year at Millard West High School. After Graduation he intends to attend Embry Riddle University to study Aerospace engineering and pursue a career a career as an Air Force Pilot. Frazell is the son of Rick & Brenda Frazell also of Omaha.

Cadet Frazell’s Parents “pin on” his Colonel’s insignia as Congressman Terry looks on

Cadet Frazell receivedhis Spaatz Award and promoted to Cadet Colonel on Friday 27 July 2012. The Award was presented by 2nd District Nebraska Congressman Lee Terry. Congressman Terry congratulated Cadet Colonel Garrett Frazell who joins an elite group of fewer than 1900 young men and women that have earned the award since its inception in 1964. Representative Terry stated that THE GENERAL CARL A. SPAATZ AWARD is Civil Air Patrol’s highest cadet honor. It is presented to cadets who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, character, fitness, and aerospace education”.

Also attending the award ceremony were Robert Todd, North Central Region Commander, Col David Plum,Nebraska Wing Commander and Major Tom Pflug,Omaha Composite Squadron Commander; Frazell’s home unit. Col Plum stated: Cadet Frazell joined the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program on his 12th Birthday. He has progressed through the Cadet Training Program in five and one half years to achieve the highest award in the program. Cadet Colonel Frazell joins only 21 other Nebraska Cadets who have earned the Spaatz Award since its inception.

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with more than 61,000 members nationwide, operating a fleet of 550 aircraft. CAP, in its Air Force auxiliary role, performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and was credited by the AFRCC with saving 54 lives in fiscal year 2011. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to nearly 27,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet program. CAP received the World Peace Prize in 2011 and has been performing missions for America for 70 years. CAP also participates in Wreaths Across America, an initiative to remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans.

Category: Cadets | Tags: , , , ,
| August 1, 2012
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FAA Learns First Hand About CAP’s Mission

Major Dave Cooves & FAA ATC Manager Brian Fabry before orientation flight

Brian Fabry, a manager at Omaha’s Approach Control Facility, took part in an orientation flight on July 31st with the Omaha Composite Squadron.  The purpose of the flight was to familiarize controllers with the local flying area, learn more about CAP’s mission, and to gain perspective about pilot workload.  After completing a normal preflight walk-a-round, Fabry and pilot, Major Dave Coover reviewed approach plates and briefed the flight.  During the mission, Fabry set up and monitored RNAV (area navigation) approaches on the G1000 integrated flight instrument system. He also made the majority of the radio calls to ATC.  Fabry commented that he “…was surprised at how busy the cockpit gets,” especially near the larger airports.  Approaches were flown at Omaha’s Eppley airfield as well as the Tekamah, Fremont, and Millard Nebraska airports.

Fabry is one of the newest managers at the Omaha ATC facility and is always looking for ways to enhance job satisfaction and excitement among his controllers.  He is currently investigating the feasibility of flying new controllers with CAP pilots as a part of a local area orientation.  Fabry believes that “…CAP’s aircraft provide the perfect training platform because their advanced avionics closely mimic systems found in larger aircraft.”  Other potential orientation topics include airmanship, emergency procedures, local geography, and instrument approaches.  Controllers are trained extensively on instrument procedures during their time at the Oklahoma City training center, but Fabry noted there are no actual flights in an aircraft as a part of their syllabus.  After the flight, he commented that he “…really gained a lot of perspective” about the pace of cockpit tasks.

Finding a funding source for ATC orientation flights will be a challenge, but Fabry feels that it is definitely worth investigating.  “Controllers that have actually flown the instrument procedures for which they direct aircraft dozens of times each day obviously have a fuller perspective than those who haven’t had that opportunity, ” Fabry said.  He also is glad to know that the Omaha Composite CAP Squadron is willing and eager to work with Federal agencies like his.  He plans to begin searching for ways to develop a working relationship right away.

Civil Air Patrol, the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with more than 61,000 members nationwide, operating a fleet of 550 aircraft, including 6 in Nebraska. CAP, in its Air Force auxiliary role, performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and was credited by the AFRCC with saving 54 lives in fiscal year 2011. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to nearly 27,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet program. CAP received the World Peace Prize in 2011 and has been performing missions for America for 70 years. CAP also participates in Wreaths Across America, an initiative to remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans.

Category: Pilots, Seniors | Tags: , , , ,