Friday, June 7, 2013

Civil Air Patrol's presentation to the Bay Area 99s


By Lt. Col. Juan Tinnirello, CAP
Public Information Officer
Amelia Earhart Senior Squadron 188
California Wing

Lt Col Juan Tinnirello
On Thursday, May 9, 2013, Lieutenant Colonel Juan Tinnirello, the Public Information Officer for Amelia Earhart, Senior Squadron 188 of the Civil Air Patrol, made a presentation of what CAP is and does. CAP is the official Auxiliary to the United States Air Force. The event took place at the monthly meeting of the Ninety Nines, Inc. the International Organization of Women Pilots founded in 1929 by 99 licensed women pilots and the first president was Amelia Earhart. The meeting took place at the Kaiser Air building located at the Oakland International Airport, North Field.

Members of the 99'ers and CAP
The meeting started at 19:00 hr. and present were six members of the organization plus one guest.  Attending from Sq. 188 were, Major Noel Luneau, Squadron Commander, Captain Luis Rivas, Deputy Commander and Captain Kathy Johnson, Mission Observer.

Lt. Col. Tinnirello's presentation included a brief history of the beginning of CAP back in December 1941 as well as its participation during WWII. The current membership of 60,000 seniors and cadets includes 8,000 aircrews and 32,000 emergency responders trained to FEMA standard.  CAP also operates one the largest fleet of single-engine piston aircraft in the world, with 550 planes that fly more than 100,000 hours annually. It also has a fleet of 950 emergency services vehicles for training and mission support.

Maj Noel Luneau and a 99's member
He also talked, in detail, about CAP's three primary missions; emergency services, cadet programs and aerospace education.

During the presentation, the participants asked several questions to clarify or request more information.  The members from squadron 188 assisted by adding details of their particular specialties.

The presentation concluded by 20:00 hrs. and Lt. Col. Tinnirello invited all the participants to visit the CAP hanger to see the brand new Cessna 182 and it G1000 avionics suite.

Everyone was delighted to see the plane and took turns sitting in the completely lighted cockpit to enjoy the big screen display.
A 99's member sits in the Cessna

Mission Scanner School - Group 2

By Lt. Robert Adams, CAP
Transportation Officer and Mission Scanner Trainee
Amelia Earhart Senior Squadron 188
California Wing

Lt Adam's of SQ188 prepares for a sim flight
I attended a two day Civil Air Patrol Mission Scanner Training Class on Saturday and Sunday, March 16 and 17th 2013 that was hosted by Group-2 Headquarters at Squadron 18 at the Hayward, California airport.

There were at least 25-30 people in attendance including five instructors and several Cadets. (Some of the participants that attended this weekend event came from as far away as Washington State and others from locations throughout California.

All of the instructors that taught that weekend were exceptionally proficient to teach the various subjects that encompass the Mission Scanner Training Course.
The course was presented in an interesting format, and well planned classroom manner.

Lt Mumy of SQ188 prepares for a sim flight
Instructors presented subjects systematically with personal and helpful information depicting important personal experiences that were of an additional benefit to each of us relative to their subject at hand.

Prior to the conclusion of the two-day classes, we were instructed to break up into individual groups of four or five participants plus an instructor, who thoroughly guided us through an anatomy of a real Emergency Mission.

The instructors tactfully demonstrated and explained to us the various steps including the paperwork that is necessary to complete a real Mission from the beginning to end.

CAP members receiving training
At the conclusion of the (mock) emergency mission, we were all presented with a 50 question written test that covered all of the many subjects that had been presented to us over these last two days.

All participants were later informed that they passed the test and had completed all of the Familiarization and Preparatory Training Tasks, including most of the Advanced Training Tasks.  Leaving only task 0–2018, which required Operating the Aircraft Communication Equipment and the two Exercise Participation sign-offs to complete our Mission Scanner SQTR.

In summation; this was a most successful, well designed and organized (two day) Mission Scanner Training Class.