FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 5, 2020

By Air or Ground, Local Civil Air Patrol Units Deliver For Nevadans Across The State

RENO, Nev. The Nevada Wing Civil Air Patrol squadrons in Reno, Las Vegas, Douglas County, Humboldt County, and Elko are working in conjunction with the Nevada Department of Emergency Management to transport essential medical items in support of the COVID-19 pandemic. As mission taskings dictate they will be utilizing their Cessna 182, 206 and GippsAero GA-8 AirVan aircraft, along with squadron ground vehicles to reach outlying areas in Nevada.

For those unfamiliar with GippsAero and their GA-8 AirVan, it is well suited to moving large amounts of cargo (up to 1300 lbs.). Normally configured for seating eight passengers, it is normally used for crew transport, aerial assessments, and carrying local government leaders. 

Three of these missions were completed during the last week using ground transport from Reno to Humboldt County (Winnemucca).  At the Winnemucca Municipal Airport, Reno Civil Air Patrol volunteers transferred Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Elko and Humboldt County Civil Air Patrol teams.  These teams made deliveries to rural medical providers in Elko and McDermitt, as well as dropping supplies to a medical provider in Winnemucca.  At the same time, in southern Nevada, members of the Las Vegas Composite squadron picked up and drove PPE from a Las Vegas location to a medical provider 180 miles to the northeast in rural Pioche, Nev. 

On Wednesday, May 27, and Thursday, May 28, Nevada Wing CAP teams delivered PPE supplies other rural communities, including Duckworth, Schurz, Yerington, Hawthorne, Owyhee, Ely, and Eureka. Winnemucca and Elko also received more supplies. 

Throughout April and May, members of the Wing’s southern Nevada squadrons, in conjunction with Helping Hands of Las Vegas Valley, packaged and delivered emergency supplies, food, toilet paper, and other necessary supplies to the elderly and other COVID-19 at-risk groups in the southern end of the state.  The dedicated volunteers of Jack Schofield Cadet Squadron (Henderson, Nev.) also assembled and delivered face covers and plastic face shields to several area groups. 

Since the beginning of this pandemic in Nevada, Civil Air Patrol members and supporters have been on the frontlines doing what each one can for their neighbors and fellow citizens.  Humboldt County Composite Squadron cadet Seamus Maloon, using a 3-D printer and with the help of a high school technical advisor, manufactured plastic face shields for his local hospital’s frontline staffers.      

“One of Civil Air Patrol’s core tenets is helping our community, state, and nation. I cannot think of a more fitting way for our members to assist in the disaster relief efforts brought forward by the COVID-19 pandemic. When needed, we rally our members and resources to help our friends, families, and neighbors through any crisis.” 1st Lt Mark Aguiar, CAP, Nevada Wing Public Information Officer.

Colonel Russell Smith, Nevada Wing Operations Officer, has contacted the

Squadrons in Northern Nevada, including the Tahoe-Truckee Composite Squadron in California to set up stand-by crews daily for missions as they arise.

The volunteers of the Civil Air Patrol stand ready to serve our communities in Nevada and across the nation.

Civil Air Patrol is the longtime auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and as such is a valued member of its Total Force. In its auxiliary role, CAP operates a fleet of 560 single-engine aircraft and 1,500 small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS). It performs about 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 82 lives annually. CAP’s 66,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. Operating as a nonprofit organization, CAP also plays a leading role in STEM/aerospace education, and its members serve as mentors to 28,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs. Visit www.CAP.News or www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com for more information.

Photo cutlines and links:

·        COVID-1, Cadet and senior Civil Air Patrol members were staging parts for plastic face mask assembly.  Link: https://cawgcap-my.sharepoint.com/:i:/g/personal/timothy_vaughan_orwgcap_org1/EexjPf64luhFuEOXP4BOsgEBgyYBPmcOUReS7MyWrXN89w?e=l1KpzJ

·        COVID-2, Squadron cadets and senior members with Helping Hands of Las Vegas Valley volunteers assembling food deliveries for at-risk senior citizens.  Link:  https://cawgcap-my.sharepoint.com/:i:/g/personal/timothy_vaughan_orwgcap_org1/ET7TWjzP6-9IoNNVKLcdsxQBD9TPa466VUcT6jSyJOa87w?e=7KdcWd

·        COVID-3, Schofield Cadet squadron, Cadet Flores brings vital foodstuffs to seniors in the community.  Link:  https://cawgcap-my.sharepoint.com/:i:/g/personal/timothy_vaughan_orwgcap_org1/EQew8uqcv8tGp8qOB4--ZJ0B8vTHeZEKv3o3eQ5JODL9eQ?e=p9xGVc

·        COVID-4, Humboldt County Composite squadron cadet Seamus Maloon alongside the 3-D printer he used to make plastic face shields for Humboldt General Hospital staff.  Link: https://cawgcap-my.sharepoint.com/:i:/g/personal/timothy_vaughan_orwgcap_org1/EaBDtDHajRxIvM8miyLnYugBI03XJ11E6tvCM1k1jZOD_Q?e=aljRi2

·        COVID-5, Col Deborah Pierce, Nevada Wing Commander, pitches in to help deliver PPE to Hawthorne, NV. May 28, 2020.  Link: https://cawgcap-my.sharepoint.com/:i:/g/personal/timothy_vaughan_orwgcap_org1/ERPGpWAFo3JPh5haJEYGypcBRMOCmuLFMAq0Yc_ifcZUHg?e=euaZaj

·         COVID-6, Maj Diana Jones and Lt Col Kelly Howard both of the Elko Composite Squadron checking PPE supplies on May 27, 2020.  Link: https://cawgcap-my.sharepoint.com/:i:/g/personal/timothy_vaughan_orwgcap_org1/Ec8bhfLijTFNlzkn3pMb32UBMWBL1_EU80mvzrrilpf7LA?e=XkBdM1

·        COVID-7, Capt Teddy Leigh with a delivery of COVID-19 Test Kits ready for distribution on May 27, 2020.  Link: https://cawgcap-my.sharepoint.com/:i:/g/personal/timothy_vaughan_orwgcap_org1/EZlFAb9kKsZEmuMY2PJrTTwBSoXFVzL74RLuMyTVaC-kAw?e=XQTVqz

·        COVID-8, Five Nevada Army Guard members with Nevada Air Guard members (behind L-R) Tech. Sgt. Torrey Eldridge and Tech. Sgt. Brian Skach, 152nd Communications Flight helping (L-R) 2nd Lt Jon Plamondon, Capt Michael Cleveland, Maj Dale Brown, Douglas County Composite Squadron, CAP, loaded up and ready to distribute to remote Northern Nevada communities, May 27, 2020. Link: https://cawgcap-my.sharepoint.com/:i:/g/personal/timothy_vaughan_orwgcap_org1/Eaz_sZMdAkpAhgaLEYOfKU4Bcx6acbcNCTshqIyy7ILHFQ?e=QmCP23

Media Contacts:

Capt. Mark Silver

Public Affairs Officer

Reno Composite Squadron

1st Lt. Timothy Vaughan

Public Affairs Officer

Humboldt County Composite Squadron

#  #  #

History waits at the National Museum of the United States Air Force

History waits at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

If walking through aeronautical time is one of your bucket list items the perfect place to fulfill those dreams is the National Museum of the United States Air Force. If you have the time and stamina to walk through the four cavernous hangers and its 1.1 million square ft. you will be transported to the early days of military aircraft development all the way to the far reaches of outer space. It is located in Dayton, Ohio at the back door to Wright Patterson Air Force Base and the Huffman Prairie where the hometown Wright Brothers worked on perfecting their early days of flight. The walking tour is filled with short movies, technology advancements in wing design and engines.

In the first section there are early wind tunnels for testing wing shapes and the first weapons developed for aircraft as well as the planes themselves: 1909 Wright Flyer, Curtiss JN-4D “Jenny”, SPAD VII, and a Sopwith Camel (reproduction). There are cutaway wings to show the intricate construction of the wooden frames. Just as important to showing the story’s hardware there are multiple informative stops about the inventors and pilots that dared to take these craft to the sky and the uniforms they wore. In all there are about 33 aircraft with many more displays in this area right up to the pre-world war II aircraft.

The World War II era has more than sixty aircraft greeting you as you emerge from the connecting causeway into Hanger 2. Hanging from the ceiling the “smaller” aircraft and drones are dwarfed by some of the bombers that wrote history like the B-17 Memphis Belle and the B-29 Bockscar that delivered the “bomb” to Nagasaki, Japan, and the B-26 that brought the war to Japan’s front door from the Doolittle Raiders.  The leaps in technology from the beginning of the war until the end is amazing to see as it plays out in front of you as you walk through. Aircraft from allies and enemy alike are displayed as well. German entries from Messerschmitt and English aircraft like the Spitfire and Tiger Moth. Helicopters made their entrance to the military by Sikorsky. Fighters like the P40 “Flying Tigers” and the P51 and the P-38 share space with the ground pounders like the A-20 and the P-47 Thunderbolt. As you leave WWII behind you cross over to the next Hanger walking through the closing of Berlin, the making of the “Wall”, and the Berlin Airlift.

In the Korean War gallery we are brought into the jet age of military conflict. The fastest plane before the jets was the F-82 which was two  P-51’s joined together. Russian MiG 15, 17, and 21 jets were matched with the F80 Shooting Star and the F86 Sabre.  From the Korean war you see another leap in technology to the Vietnam war era. Propeller aircraft were still used as FAC’s (forward air controllers) and ground support like the A1 Skyraider. Helicopters had a big role in the war for delivering troops to the battle zones and used as rescue. Anti-aircraft suppression from the “Thuds” and “Phantom’s” chasing those MiG's from the skies. This brings us to Hanger 3.

The Cold War was all about the stalemate of nuclear powers and the chess game played to gain an advantage. The Consolidated B-36 was dubbed the Peacemaker for the threat it made with its long reach. With each gain in technology and hardware the other would come up with a counter punch of its own by being faster, more agile, or more deadly. The aircraft, missiles, and weapons displayed here show the power and range they had.  The Russians countered with Mig’s 23, 25, and 29 to our F111, F4, F16, and B-52. You find the “spy” aircraft U-2 and the fastest of them all the SR-71 Blackbird. Super Sabre’s, Eagles, and Raven’s stories are told as you pass by each display. Civil Air Patrol is represented  by a bright yellow J-3 Cub. These all culminate with a section of the Berlin Wall to let you reflect on the thirty years this Cold War has left the world.

Onward you push through to the last of the 4 hangers. You are in the space age now. The first thing you see as you walk past the missile room with its Titan II and Thor, Jupiter and the Minuteman is a full-scale mockup of the Space Shuttle. This was the trainer they used in Houston, Texas, for astronauts to practice procedures. Below are Mercury, Gemini, and the Apollo 15 command module that circled the moon and returned Scott, Irwin, and Wofford safely back to earth. The X15 experimental plane that became the 1st plane in space long before the shuttle is there along with “lifting bodies” that were tested for recovery methods of space vehicles. More experimental craft are along the path leading back to the Presidential Gallery where 8 aircraft used by presidents reside. The “Sacred Cow’ of Roosevelt, the Independence of Truman, Columbine for Eisenhower, and SAM 26000 that made the fateful trip back from Dallas with President Kennedy’s body.

If this is not enough for you there is a full IMAX theater at the entrance to the museum. This is just a taste of the over 360 aircraft inside. Volunteers are in each area to help you with questions along your journey. The museum is open every day 9-5pm except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. If you can’t make it to the museum please look it up on line for a virtual tour of the displays. You will not be sorry for the time you invest in this adventure. You should look at the official web site: https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/

1st Lt. Mark Silver

Reno Composite Squadron

Winter survival 2019

Winter Survival

1st Lt. Mark Silver

Public Affairs Officer

Reno Composite Squadron

It only seemed fitting that the original day scheduled for Winter Survival was canceled due to winter weather. It was the right thing to do. The lesson was to practice winter survival methods, not really having to depend on them that day. As Captain Bob Meurer tells us often in squadron meetings sometimes the best maneuver is a 180 turn and not go in the first place when the weather comes in to play. The backup date was the following day and all indications were a go the morning of the activity. Though the day had come to climb Mt. Rose above Reno, Nevada with a van full of eager cadets and senior members, there was ground work laid before this was to happen. Let’s step back and see how this was set up and who was running the show as this was not just any exercise, this was high adventure.

There are several reasons for teaching a course like winter survival as it relates to our geographical area. Reno sits at the eastern door of the Sierra Nevada crest with wide swings in temperature and sometimes surprising weather popping up. It does not have to be a calendar month of winter to have extreme weather kick in and put someone in a very precarious position caught in the elements and exposed to the brute force of nature. The Sierra’s are inviting to those that ski and hike in the open country meadows and steep slopes of several ski resorts in the area. Tourists frequently travel the roads over the passes and neglect to allow for changes in the elevation, temperature, and precipitation. For those that come unprepared to deal with changing weather or chose the wrong clothing for the trip it can become a life and death situation. Cars break down; planes have mechanical difficulties and are forced to land in remote places. People get lost. And then there are avalanches. These are the situations the instructors and mentors for the winter survival experience had in mind preparing the cadets and seniors making the trip.

Capt. David Blondfield, former Deputy Commander Cadets for Reno Composite Squadron (RCS), has led this excursion up into the snow many times. Capt. Blondfield is a Reno fireman, an Emergency Medical Technician, and a very experienced outdoorsman. Equally up to the task is Lt. Farley Justis of RCS who also is an accomplished outdoorsman and has also made the trek out for many of the winter survival classes. Rounding out the team was help from 2nd Lt. Dr. Dan Muff, again a very experienced winter seasoned outdoorsman. The Monday before the trip Capt. Blondfield held a class on the dangers of weather and exposure, discussed hypothermia, proper clothing layered to keep you dry and warm, types of shelters that can be made, how to start a fire, and the five “C’s” that you should have with you that better your chances if you find yourself in this type of situation (Cutting device, Combustion starter, Cordage, Container, and Cover). 

Lt. Justis said this about the cadet’s preparation: “Cadets present themselves in varied modes of preparation for Winter Survival. Rarely, a cadet shows up in street clothes and tennis shoes for this event, but I've seen it happen. In Winter Survival, cadets organize into teams and are challenged to learn and understand just how one sets out to survive a 24 hour period. Cadets are challenged to defeat conditions of cold and perhaps wetness all the while figuring out how best to work with what they have to make a potentially dire circumstance into one that is survivable.”

Capt. Blondfield and Lt. Justis stressed that you need to make priorities when you find yourself in winter situation. What do you need first, second, third to give you time? You cannot go much more than 3 minutes without air, 3 hours without shelter when exposed, 3 days without water, or 30 days without food. Making a shelter with what you have on you and your surroundings will be your best bet in your survival. Options were discussed such as a trench to get out of the wind, using sticks and branches for a roof, insulation from the cold snow by using leaves or pine needles. Digging into a snow bank to make shelter or using a tree and make a lean to. This is where the five “C’s” come in to make your job a bit easier. Once you have a way to keep yourself out of the elements, you can concentrate on the next step, making a fire. The instructors covered what you can use for ignition sources like flint and steel, and what might combust fast enough to get a fire started. Lt. Justis has a good thing to carry that is light weight, cores from toilet paper rolls filled with dryer lint….dry and combustible that you can keep in your backpack in Ziploc bags. Questions were asked and answered and the meeting was adjourned.

As if on cue, the weather reared up and dumped several feet of new snow the day before the trek into the meadows of Mt. Rose. It was decided to fall back a day to Sunday March 4th,  2018. Capt. Blondfield had a prior commitment so Lt. Justis took the reins and with the help of 2nd Lt. Muff, Deputy Commander of Cadets 2nd Lt. Mark Donberger, and the Public Affairs Officer Lt. Mark Silver the expedition set off Sunday morning after inspections of the troops to make sure all had the proper gear, destination Mt. Rose Summit, 8,900 ft., the highest maintained pass in the Sierra’s that links Reno with Lake Tahoe. 2nd Lt. Muff was able to round up several more pairs of snow shoes for the 12 that could make the trip. We lost a few of the cadets unfortunately that planned on a Saturday trip and could not make the Sunday backup day.  We soon found out how much we needed the snow shoes on the roughly half mile hike back to the area of the exercise.

After the healthy hike through powdered snow the team gathered for Lt. Justis’s instructions and reminders from last Monday’s meeting. The cadets split into two groups and they set off to stake their claim for their shelters. One crew headed up the hill from base camp and found a snow ridge protected by tall pines. They decided soon after a walk around that they were going for a shelter dug into the snow. The second team hiked out to the meadow to the east then diverted to what appears to be a small roof line. It was a hiker’s kiosk that holds information of the area apparently for summer hikers because all you could see was the peak of the roof, indicating the snow was at least 6-7 ft. deep there. They decided to trench in front of the kiosk to use what shelter it could provide. We gained another member of the party when a cross country skier came through with his dog. The dog decided the cadets were much more fun to be around then following his master, so he hung out with us for a bit. He did complicate the dig in group process as he thought the digging looked fun and joined in. A modification to their original plan was in order after the canine intervention.

Lt. Justis used a group of pines as a base for his shelter, digging out 3-4 ft. deep and setting up his small backpack tent. He created a shelf to set up his small camp heater and proceeded to make some hot tea! 2nd Lt. Muff decided to go with a snow cave to demonstrate the effectiveness of that type shelter. Two and a half hours were allowed for construction of the shelters with time for lunch built in. Inspections by the seniors and both teams of the four sites were conducted pointing out the difficulties in creating their shelters, the materials used, and what they might have done different in hindsight. Both cadet teams were able to get a fire going. 2nd Lt. Muff demonstrated how difficult the flint and steel was using leaves and needles, and resorted to the paper core stuffed with lint method to find success.

Summarizing the cadets actions of the day, Lt. Justis said “Cadets learn how far their preparedness takes them. Some will pack a camp shovel. One will bring a folding tree-saw and another cadet will have a tarp. All appreciate by the end of the course, as individuals their preparedness is wanting. But, because it's a training course we organize to build shelters and see for ourselves how one can survive. And, at the end of the day cadets are enriched by the experience, have exampled themselves to complete several tasks, be organized in the execution of those tasks, and work to maintain a positive attitude as they perform in winter conditions.”

The tired crew cleaned up and collapsed the roofs of their shelters so an unaware passerby did not fall into them. Leaving no trace of our intrusion except disturbed snow, we trekked back out for the journey home. Lt. Justis, 2nd Lts. Muff and Donberger noted that they were impressed with the cadet’s preparation, selection of clothing, and great attitudes and work ethic. One last burst of energy by the cadets as they took the “hill” above the parking lot and slid back down several times to put a fun finish to the day. Lesson’s in hand now, the hope is that they never need this exercise but if they do, they can draw on the day we spent at Mt. Rose summit.

Core Values Hard at Work

Core Values hard at work

Community service is a great exercise of the core values of Civil Air Patrol and Reno Composite Squadron has been putting them to work. We had a couple of great opportunities helping in our community by teaming with the Reno Tahoe International Airport and several other service groups for one of those. We helped escort the American Council of the Blind delegates to and from their gates for their annual conference held at the Nugget in Sparks. In another joint venture with Reno Tahoe Airport we supplied set up help, security, and aerospace education during the Operation Santa Claus event.

The American Council for the Blind has an annual conference where technology is demonstrated, keynote speakers, and networking between peers and businesses alike is accomplished as in any other professional conference. Margarine Beaman, the council’s advocate that helps arrange logistical help, came to a meeting to explain what we could do to facilitate the delegate’s travels to and from the event in late June and early July. Margarine had several helpful lists of how to approach them for assistance and how to expect their guide dogs if any were to interact with you. Delegates could be from 18-90 years old and over 300 guide dogs were expected. We found quickly it was going to be very hard to keep up with Margarine as she was with us every step of the way.

Sixteen RCS seniors and cadets split shifts over a three day span during the peak hours of travel for incoming delegates and very early shifts for departures the following week. As we came to find out the experience was more to our benefit then the delegates themselves. With each passenger delivered to their destination we found inspiration and had some incredible conversations. The biggest challenge of the day for incoming flights was trying to find someone else’s luggage on the carousel. We found it rewarding time spent helping our fellow men and women. If a little lady from Texas comes calling for help in your area, please answer the call. You will find a friend in Margarine as we all did.

December wind brings the joy of the holiday season to most. Some however do not always have great cheer in their lives at that time of year unfortunately. Family events, misfortune, unexpected changes in employment bring some families to the brink of not having a holiday at all. That’s where the Children’s Cabinet steps in. They help bridge the troubled waters by bringing the private sector and government services together to help families through times of trouble.

Welcome to Operation Santa Claus. RCS teamed up again with the staff of Reno Tahoe International airport along with business donations and the help of the general aviation community to give some sparkle to the holidays. Twenty five families were to receive their holiday in style at the Atlantic Aviation hanger right next door to Wing Headquarters. The huge hanger made way for tables, chairs, and 25 decorated Christmas Trees the night before the event with help from the airport staff, business personnel, and of course RCS cadets and seniors. Up went a stage and sleigh. Barber poled candy canes and games for the young were put into place by the staff.  Twenty five Christmas trees were placed around the seating area awaiting gifts to be delivered.

Our guests arrived the next day before noon and were ushered out to the tarmac where in a short while 20 plus general aviation planes paraded in front of the children and parents followed by a National Guard C130 with a very special passenger in a red suit. Upon Santa and Mrs. Claus’s departure from the Hercules the hanger doors opened to reveal a feast and stacks of presents under the trees. Captain Richard Brong offered pilot seat views for the young in the Cessna 206 while the families enjoyed the festivities. Our cadets lined the tarmac for the aviation parade and then relocated to provide security to the remaining business jets in the hanger.  The event concluded with the families taking their presents and trees with them.

The Reno Composite Squadron is looking forward to more community events that we can help bring our core values to use in the coming year.

Lt. Mark Silver

PAO Reno Composite Squadron

PCR-NV-054

75th Anniversary

Contact: 2nd Lt Mark Silver, Public Affairs Officer

Civil Air Patrol, Reno Composite Squadron, Nevada Wing

                 paomsilver@gmail.com

                  775-622-5242

                  Renocompositesquadron.org

                 Facebook: renocompositesquadronCAP

For Immediate Release

RENO, Nevada:

December 1st marks the 75th anniversary of the formation of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). Born out of what General Aviation could do for our country at the edge of war, CAP pilots patrolled coastlines and borders during WWII voluntarily with their own aircraft and are credited with sinking two enemy submarines and saving hundreds of merchant shipping vessel’s crew that were struck with torpedo’-s.

CAP has evolved as the benevolent volunteer Auxiliary of the US Air Force and part of the Total Force alongside Active, Reserve, and Retired Air Force. Its Charter approved by Congress states three main missions of CAP. Cadet programs aim to educate our youth in aerospace programs and leadership roles. Emergency Services performs such activities as doing 95% of inland searches in the continental United States,  providing aid with aerial photography to FEMA, Homeland Security, US Forrest Service, and mercy transport missions. Finally, CAP provides aerospace education presentations and STEM kits to the youth and also the leaders of communities’ across the nation to ensure a strong aviation workforce.  

With a fleet of 550 Cessna aircraft, the largest fleet of single engine planes in the world, CAP remains ever vigilant with over 56,000 volunteer members nationwide  dedicated to service to their communities.

Reno Composite Squadron currently has 83 members made up of 40 cadets and 43 senior members.

RCS cadets will be marching in the Sparks Hometown Christmas parade Saturday Dec. 3rd, 2016.

Meetings are held the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at 6pm., 601 S Rock Blvd, Reno, Nevada.

A 75th Anniversary Gala is being held for members at the Redhawk Golf Course at Wingfield Springs, 6pm Saturday, Dec. 3rd. Media are welcome to the event.