M E E T I N G S
Monday: Sqdn 304, Lancaster at 1900
Tuesday: Sqdn 302, Capital City at 1900
Wednesday: Sqdn 306, Harrisburg International at 1900
Wednesday: Sqdn 357, Duncannon at 1930
Thursday: Sqdn 202, Bedford at 1830 for cadets
1st, 3rd Thursday: Sqdn 202, Bedford at 1830 for seniors
Thursday: Sqdn 307, Lebanon at 1830 hours
2nd, 4th Saturday: Sqdn 301, York at 0800

GROUP 2 COMMAND AND STAFF
Conference Call - 2100 hours - Thursday 20 OCT 11 - Invitations will be sent by e-mail.

Education took to the skies May 25th, 2011, as five Air Force Junior ROTC students from Somerset took a spin in a small plane.

Maj. Drew Devivo, AFJROTC instructor, said the five students were chosen based on merits, fundraising and leadership skills. The program is paid for by the United States Air Force, he said.

Devivo explained that students learn about flying and use a flight simulator in class.

“They can actually feel, see and touch,” he said.

The students took an approximate 45-minute flight with flight instructor Benjamin F. Gottshall. Gottshall, Commander of the CAP Bedford Squadron, took the students through his preflight checklist and let them take some measurements.

Junior Blake Sutton was excited to learn more about aircraft.

“They’re amazing contraptions,” he said.

While flying, Sutton had his eyes on the controls.

“I’m hoping to learn how the controls work in the *censored*pit,” he said.

It was the first time freshman Levi Schrock ever flew in a plane.

“I’m very excited to actually look at the county while airborne,” he said, adding that he has a small fear of heights.

Junior Justin Kennell would like to join the Air Force after high school.

“I’m excited to see what it is like to be up in a plane,” he said.

He hoped to gain some knowledge and experience from the flight.

Junior Tyler Fey is considering a career in the military as a pilot. This day's experience was the second time he flew in a small plane.

“It was really neat,” he said. “You have a great view of everything.”

Fey and sophomore Lacey Pugh opted for a grass landing instead of a landing on the runway.

“There was a couple of bumps,” Fey said. “It wasn’t that bad.”

Pugh was thrilled that she was able to control the plane for a while.

“He let me fly it for a while over Bedford,” she said.

During her flight she got to see her house from a new perspective.

“It was very exhilarating, very awesome,” she said. “It really changes your mind about flying. It’s really fun. I’d like to do it again.”

She too is considering a military career. Becoming a pilot may be in her future.

“Possibly, if I get better at it,” she said.

Chief Master Sgt. (Ret.) Paul D. Moreau, said the flight trip will become a yearly experience for the AFJROTC students.

“Part of the ROTC program is to broaden your students with all sorts of different experience,” he said.

M E E T I N G S
Monday: Sqdn 304, Lancaster at 1900
Tuesday: Sqdn 302, Capital City at 1900
Wednesday: Sqdn 306, Harrisburg International at 1900
Wednesday: Sqdn 357, Duncannon at 1930
Thursday: Sqdn 202, Bedford at 1830 for cadets
1st, 3rd Thursday: Sqdn 202, Bedford at 1830 for seniors
Thursday: Sqdn 307, Lebanon at 1830 hours
2nd, 4th Saturday: Sqdn 301, York at 0800

C A L E N D A R
2-9: Northeast RCLS South, McGuire AFB, NJ
4: Independence Day
5: All Squadron Van usage info to be entered into eServices
5: Monthly Flight logs sent to Wing
5: Monthly Aircraft Utilization Report sent to Wing
9: Group 2 Communication meeting, FITG, 1000 hours
9: Group 2 Face2Face Commander’s Call, FITG, 1300-1500 hours
9-16: Northeast RSC, McGuire AFB, NJ
9-16: Northeast RCLS North, Concord, NH
15: CAPF 73’s for Squadron Van usage due to GP2 Transportation Officer
20: Check your “Online Safety Education” to take your monthly Safety briefing
27: Korean War Armistice Day

M E E T I N G S
Monday: Sqdn 304, Lancaster at 1900
Tuesday: Sqdn 302, Capital City at 1900
Wednesday: Sqdn 306, Harrisburg International at 1900
Wednesday: Sqdn 357, Duncannon at 1930
Thursday: Sqdn 202, Bedford at 1830 for cadets
1st, 3rd Thursday: Sqdn 202, Bedford at 1830 for seniors
Thursday: Sqdn 307, Lebanon at 1830 hours
2nd, 4th Saturday: Sqdn 301, York at 0800

C A L E N D A R
5: All Squadron Van usage info to be entered into eServices
5: Monthly Flight logs sent to Wing
5: Monthly Aircraft Utilization Report sent to Wing
11-18: Middle East RSC at McDaniel College in Westminster, MD
14: Flag Day
15: CAPF 73’s for Squadron Van usage due to GP2 Transportation Officer
16: Teleconference Call for GP2 Staff and Squadron Commanders at 2100 hours
17-18: TLC for Pre-Encampment at FITG
18-25: PAWG Encampment at FITG
18-25: PAWG LDC at FITG
19: Father’s Day
20: Check your “Online Safety Education” to take your monthly Safety briefing

M E E T I N G S
Monday: Sqdn 304, Lancaster at 1900
Tuesday: Sqdn 302, Capital City at 1900
Wednesday: Sqdn 306, Harrisburg International at 1900
Wednesday: Sqdn 357, Duncannon at 1930
Thursday: Sqdn 202, Bedford at 1830 for cadets
1st, 3rd Thursday: Sqdn 202, Bedford at 1830 for seniors
Thursday: Sqdn 307, Lebanon at 1830 hours
2nd, 4th Saturday: Sqdn 301, York at 0800

C A L E N D A R
5: All Squadron Van usage info to be entered into eServices
5: Monthly Flight logs sent to Wing
5: Monthly Aircraft Utilization Report sent to Wing
7: Group 2 SAREX. Base of operations is Lancaster
8: Mother’s Day
11-12: SLS at Group 5, State College, PA
14: Group 2 Commander’s Call for Staff and Squadron Commanders at FITG, 1300 hours
15: CAPF 73’s for Squadron Van usage due to GP2 Transportation Officer
20: Check your “Online Safety Education” to take your monthly Safety briefing
21-22: Hawk Mountain Ranger School will host the PA Wing Staff Meeting and Emergency Services Training
21: Armed Forces Day
30: Memorial Day

25 FEB 2011

SUBJECT: After Action Report--AFRCC Mission# 11-M-0100 (ELT)

1. Lt Col Bechtel was called at approximately 2300 hrs on 24 Feb by Mike Kindness who handed off the IC responsibility for the above mission. Mike briefed the locations of 3 ELTs hits on freq. 121.5 reported by aircraft. These locations were generally north and east of the Lancaster airport.

2. The weather at MDT was 500 ft. overcast, visibility 1/2 mile in light rain and mist, temperature 35 degrees F. The IC made the decision, after reviewing the risk matrix, that the risk was not justified by a non-distress beacon search since the flight would be in hard IMC. He was also concerned about icing in the clouds and rain.

3. The IC plotted the locations and alerted one ground team from the York Squadron and one from the Lancaster Squadron.
a. The York SQ was dispatched at 1130 hours Local and the Lancaster SQ at 1145. The York SQ checked York-Thomasville , Kampel, Bermudian Valley and Shreveport North airfields and all were negative. The search team reported heavy fog on the road to Baublitz field and the IC called off the mission for safety and had the team stand down at 0330 local.

b. The Lancaster Team was dispatched to Lancaster, Donegal Springs, Reigle, Keller Brothers, Deck and Smoketown. They checked all assigned targets, all were negative.

c. Tim Roth of the York SQ checked in with the IC at 0630 and was assigned Baublitz and McGinness. He checked both airports and reported negative results.

4. At 0700 hours the AFRCC called the IC and reported that ATC had three negative reports of an ELT signal by aircraft overflying the area. The IC called the AFRCC to report 12 airports were visited by search teams and no ELT signal was heard. The mission was terminated with AFRCC at 0940 hours and Capt Pittman, the Watch Officer, thanked the IC for the efforts of the PA Wing in covering 12 airports. The search teams were told to report to base and stand down.

5. Lt. Joe Jarkowski, of the Lancaster SQ, deserves special recognition since his team was on the go from 1145 to 0700 the following morning. He completed the target list assigned by the IC, which was modified several times and expanded during the morning as the search area expanded. The search was conducted in rain and fog but completed nonetheless. All participants are commended for their prompt and professional response.

6. CAP Form 115, with all appropriate forms, will be delivered to Wing HQ NLT 28 FEB 2011.

Lt Col C M Bechtel
Incident Commander

M E E T I N G S
Monday: Sqdn 304, Lancaster at 1900
Tuesday: Sqdn 302, Capital City at 1900
Wednesday: Sqdn 306, Harrisburg International at 1900
Wednesday: Sqdn 357, Duncannon at 1930
Thursday: Sqdn 202, Bedford at 1830 for cadets
1st, 3rd Thursday: Sqdn 202, Bedford at 1830 for seniors
Thursday: Sqdn 307, Lebanon at 1830 hours
Thursday: Sqdn 336, Hegins at 1900
2nd, 4th Saturday: Sqdn 301, York at 0800

C A L E N D A R
1: FAX or scan monthly CAPF 73 Vehicle Reports to Deputy Commander
1: Enter monthly vehicle info into eServices
2-3: NER Tri-Wing SAREX. Have your 101 cards current. This is a Big One. Watch for updates from PAWG. PAWG EOC will be at FITG. Gary Metz will have more info coming.
5: Monthly Flight logs sent to Wing
5: Monthly Aircraft Utilization Report sent to Wing
9: COMMEX. The plan is to have two ground team cells. Watch for updates.
9-10: CLC in western PA
16: GP2 SUI 1000, FITG
17: Palm Sunday
19: Passover
21: Commander's Teleconference for GP2 Staff and Squadron Commanders at 2100 hours
22: Good Friday
24: Easter Sunday. Fly the flag.
30: Supply wish list sent to Col Lindermuth
30: PA Wing Commander’s Call at FITG, Building 8-80. Cadet Conference will begin at 0900. Commanders Call will begin at 1000. All Squadron vehicles will be inspected at 1000

Mondays: Squadron 304 at Lancaster meets at 1900 hours
Tuesdays: Squadron 302 at Capital City meets at 1900 hours
Wednesdays: Squadron 306 at Harrisburg International meets at 1900 hours
Thursdays: Squadron 202 at Bedford meets at 1830 hours for cadets, then 1st & 3rd Thursday: Squadron 202 at Bedford meets at 1830 hours for Seniors only
Thursdays: Squadron 307 at Lebanon meets at 1830 hours
Thursdays: Squadron 336 at Hegins meets at 1900 hours
2nd and 4th Saturdays: Squadron 301 at York meets at 0800 hours

1-31: Safety Day. Moved from October. You have until March 31 to have a Safety Briefing of at LEAST one hour on a Safety Topic. Please try to include ORM. You have until March 31 to complete this annual requirement.
1: Maj Don Inscho on Leave of Absence. Capt Carlton Walls 717-626-5906 interim Comm Officer until Major Inscho returns from Florida.
1: Review Online Safety Briefing in eServices: Complete “Intro to CAP Safety” by March 31 if you have not already done so. This is a yearly requirement.
1: Send your Public Affairs Media Contact list to Wing PAO
1: Send your Public Affairs Activity Report to Wing PAO
5: FAX or scan monthly CAPF 73 Vehicle Reports to Deputy Commander
5: Enter monthly vehicle info into eServices
5: Monthly Flight logs sent to Wing
5: Monthly Aircraft Utilization Report sent to Wing
10: Stan/Eval Conference Call. 2100
12-13: Unit Commander’s Course at State College
12-13: SLS at Group 6
12-13: Professional Development weekend in Columbus, Ohio. CLC, TLC, PAO, SLS, UCC, IG, ES, CISM and Chaplains Conference
26-27: UCC at Group 3
15: Comm Logistic Group Report Due
17: Commander’s Conference Call for Staff and Squadron Leaders, 2100 hours
31: Real Property Survey due
31: Annual Charter Review IAW CAPR 20-3

As reported by Captain Mark Burchfield, Safety Officer for Group 2:

Mission # 11-M-0029 Saturday, 15 January 2011

Captain Timothy Roth called me Saturday evening regarding my availability about an ELT mission in the area of (KABE) Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton.

It was reported that four aircraft had reported hearing a sounding ELT beacon on 121.5:
01:32 Z Elmira, NY at 16,000 ft
23:15 Z 08,000 Ft over ABE
00:37 Z Queen City at 4,000 ft
22:22 Z 7 Mi East of ETX at 10,000 ft

As I recall the time was just after 10:00 PM that I left the house to meet Captain Roth in East York as the original plan was to fly the Cessna 172 out of Lancaster. It was then determined that the Lancaster based aircraft was out of service for electronics repair and back up arrangements were put in place to fly N644CP, a Cessna 182 out of Capital City (CXY). I picked up Captain Roth about 10:45 and we headed north for the short drive to CXY.

Masha Mesic, the flight lineman at CXY was most helpful Saturday night. He had been contacted earlier and had the aircraft out and in front of the main group hanger prior to our arrival. He was most gracious and helpful in allowing us access to the CAP equipment cabinet located inside the hanger to obtain the keys to the plane.

With the various flight planning, W&B calculations, CAP Form 104, FAA flight briefing, Safety Brief, ORM and flight release by IC, Major Pat Pate all completed by Captain Roth, we had “wheels up” at Capital City at 12:05 AM Local Sunday morning. Weather conditions for departure was - Winds 270 @ 4 knots, 4,700 Overcast, Barometer 29.92, and Temp 01 C.

As one of the reporting aircraft heard the sounding ELT at 4000 feet MSL near Queen City (Allentown) Captain Roth assessed that our best probability of locating the beacon would be to fly to the area where the reporting aircraft heard the ELT from the lower altitude. We were heading toward Allentown’s Queen city Airport!

The plane worked like a champ! The first audible signal on the Becker was about 8 miles north-northeast of Reading at 3500 MSL. Ironically the first audible was via the comm. radio monitoring 121.5. A tweak of the squelch on the Becker and we had it. The digital heading indicator and the moving black ball on the LCD display were right on the money guiding us in the direction of Queen City. We initially flew west to east just south of Queen City (KXLL) and the ball swung to the left then to our 7 o’clock position. A reversal of direction then an orbit, counter-clockwise over Queen City with the ball holding at the 9 ‘clock position and digital readout running + or - 270 degrees. To confirm we flew from east to west directly over the airport with the ball tracking directly ahead then a gradual swing
180 degrees behind as Queen City passed below.

Landed at Queen City at 0102 hours and used the Becker again to isolate two suspect
aircraft. Even as we taxied on the ramp at Queen City the Becker assisted in directing
us toward two suspect aircraft. We then utilized a hand held radio tuned to an off frequency
(123.0) and using one's body as a shield, immediately identified the squawking aircraft. A small section of aluminum foil was placed over the ELT antenna of the suspect a distinctive change in audible output was noted on our receiving hand held radio, confirming the source aircraft.

Some experimenting was done regarding the signal strength and the use of the handheld
radio as a receiver to assist in the isolation process.

We were able to gain access to the rear compartment of the target aircraft and the ETL transmitter was switched off, eliminating the audible on the handheld. The aircraft identification number, ELT manufacturer, model and serial number was recorded and transmitted by cell phone to the IC, Major Pat Pate. The appropriate placard was completed and affixed to the pilot side door, informing anyone attempting to open the pilot side door that the ELT radio had been turned off.

After a second flight release we were wheels up at 0156 hours and returned to CXY.

CXY weather on returning was 320 @ 10 Gusting to 16, Ceiling 4,600 Overcast, Barometer 29.97, Temp. 02 with a dew point of -5 C. A Cold front had passed while we were flying the mission and while flying the mission and just above 2000 feet light snow was encountered however there was no snow reaching the ground at either our departure or destination locations.

What a great ending to a long day!

Respectfully submitted
Mark Burchfeld, Capt, CAP

Camp Hill, Pennsylvania – Approximately 15 Pilots, Observers and Scanners of Pennsylvania Wing’s Group 2 and North Carolina Wing’s Group 5, recently conducted training on the new GFC 700, Automated Flight Control System, now installed in many CAP Cessna 182 NAVIII aircraft on January 9, 2011 at the Lower Allen Township Emergency Operations Center in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. Hosted by the Group 2 Operations Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Chuck “Chopper” Bechtel and Group2 Standardization Officer, Major Bruce “Frosty” Russell, the program intent was to update the unit’s Search and Rescue (SAR) aircrews on the latest features of the GFC 700, as well as the new SAR software installed in the Garmin NAV1000 system. All G-1000 pilots and those aspiring to be one were invited to attend as well as qualified Observers and Scanners who needed to know how to work the system, as well as the Becker Direction Finder. Despite a typical Northeastern weather, which include snow fall, members from across the group participated in record numbers. According to Major Russell, a 2000 hour CAP Standardization Pilot who has been flying in CAP since 1998 stated, “The [training today addresses] a safety issue due to the complexity of the new system. The GFC 700 brings a new level of training required, this is a forum for show and tell which allows the crews to touch the buttons before they go out and fly.”