Illinois Senator Mark Kirk Suffers Stroke.

Earlier this week Illinois Senator Mark Kirk underwent surgery for a Stroke he suffered over the weekend. And according to Media reports, "The neurosurgeon who operated on Mark Kirk after the Illinois senator had a stroke says he is progressing as expected but remains in serious condition.
Dr. Richard Fessler performed the emergency surgery at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. He said Wednesday that he is still hopeful about Kirk's long-term prognosis. He says the 52-year-old senator is being monitored closely.
Kirk's stroke affected his left side, particularly movement of his left arm and his face. Surgeons removed a piece of Kirk's skull Sunday to alleviate pressure from swelling.
Doctors say the Illinois Republican is expected to make a full mental recovery, but may not regain full movement, even after rehabilitation" ( Associated Press)
As many CAP Members are aware Senator Kirk is a member of the Civil Air Patrols Legislative Squadron, and a supporter of the the Palwaukee Squadron in particular.
Back in 2008 at the Palwaukee Squadron Holiday party Guest of Honor then Congressman Mark Kirk (10th Dist), awarded the Disaster Relief ribbon with 'V' device to 18 members of Group 22, The award stemmed from the CAP mission on 13 September in Prospect Heights IL, which saw the CAP members assisting with flood mitigation efforts. The activity was subsequently declared a federal disaster area, as was a large portion of the Congressman's district. The Honorable Mr. Kirk was himself on scene during the mitigation efforts, filling sandbags and personally surveying the affected area. At the dinner, he also took time to present the Air Force Association Award and the Air Force Sergeants Association Award to Palwaukee Squadron cadets.
All Members of the Palwaukee Squadron will be keeping The Senator and his family in their prayers, and hope for his full and speedy recovery.

(Contributing to Article Maj. Jim Griggs)

Congradulations Col. Rick Oeth !

On Saturday January 21st, the Illinois Wing of the Civil Air Patrol Saw Col. Rick Oeth take the Reins as Wing Commander. CAP members from throughout the Great lakes Region filled the Hangar at Wing Headquarters for the Ceremony. Col. Oeth Thanked all Wing Members for their dedication and hard work to CAP.

Congratulations also go out to Lt Col. Rick Gale as Wing Vice Commander, and to Maj. Eric Templeton Wings New Chief of Staff. And let us not forget Palwaukee Squadrons very own Maj. Joe Long as Wings New Director of Operations.

SLS / CLC Registration

• Squadron Leadership School (SLS) and Corporate Leadership Course (CLC) REGISTRATION IS DUE NO LATER THAN MARCH 2ND. You must email your CAPF 17 for registration directly to ets@ilwg.cap.gov and indicate which course you wish to register for in the subject line. Confirmations will follow after the CAPF 17 is received. Hosted by: Group 22 Dates: Saturday and Sunday – March 10th & 11th Times: 0800 - 1500hrs Location: US Army Reserve Command 1515 W Central Rd Arlington Heights, IL 60005-2451 UOD: Uniform: AF blue short sleeve shirt (no tie) and blue uniform trouser/skirt, or Corporate white short sleeve shirt (no tie) and blue uniform trouser/skirt, or Corporate white short sleeve shirt (no tie) and grey trouser/skirt, or Business casual (polo or dress shirt, no tie, and grey trouser/skirt ***No flight suits, BDU’s or jeans will be allowed.*** What is Squadron Leadership School (SLS): Squadron Leadership School (SLS) which provides CAP's adult members with a basic understanding of CAP operations at the squadron level and how those operations affect CAP's national missions. Additionally, members learn more about CAP customs, core values, and communications. Case studies, discussion, and group assignments are integral facets of the SLS. Prerequisites for SLS attendance are completion of Level I and enrollment in one or more specialty tracks. What is Corporate Learning Course (CLC): After having completed a SLS course, the Corporate Learning Course (CLC) discusses the relationship the CAP squadron has with the next major echelon of command -- the wing. Specifically, CLC discusses how wing-level operations help to accomplish CAP's three missions of aerospace education, emergency services, and cadet programs. It describes the working relationships wing staff officers have with each other, and their squadron level counterparts. Prerequisite for CLC attendance are to have credit posted in e-services for SLS before attending CLC.

23 December 2011

To All Palwaukee Squadron Members,

On behalf of the Command Staff, I want to wish you all the very best for the Holiday season. Whether you celebrate Christmas, or Hanukkah, or whatever else, know that your commitment to service is truly appreciated. I have always said that we are truly blessed with exceptional members here, and you all keep justifying that statement.

We have many challenges facing us this coming year: Wing Commander / Staff changes, another SUI, and another USAF Evaluated Mission early in CY2012 to boot. I know that you all will do what is needed to further our reputation as an example of a model squadron, and to best fill the roles needed in the coming year.

I look forward to another year of working with you all......some of the most professional people in the Illinois Wing of Civil Air Patrol.

God Bless.

Palwaukee Squadron Holiday and Awards Banquet

On Saturday December 10, the Palwaukee Squadron held its Annual Holiday party at Chevy Chase Country Club In Wheeling IL.

Guests enjoyed an evening of good food, Awards and Squadron recognitions.

As is tradition before dinner Squadron Cadets, along with Captain Gillman payed tribute to the MIA/POW table. A vacant seat is reserved for our Nations Servicemen and Women who are unable to be with us.

One of the highlights of the evening was guest speaker Jamie Abbott. Jamie is the Assistant Airport Manager at Chicago Executive Airport, the Squadrons home. Jamie is also a Captain in the Air National Guard. Captain Abbott gave a great presentation on his service in the Guard, and the History and future of Chicago Executive Airport.

Captain Abbott was also presented the Valued Partner Plaque by Squadron Commander Maj. Jim Griggs, thanking him and the Airport for their continued support of CAP and its Missions.

Many very deserving members received Awards during the Evening. One award in particular is the Jeffries award. Named after Palwaukee squadrons own Lt Col. Jeffries.

It represents not only exceptional service to CAP but selfless Volunteerism to the community at large.

And this years winner did it while battling and beating Cancer. Cadet Master Sergent Fox was this years winner. Cadet Fox represents the type of spirit that has kept CAP alive for 70 years.

Group 22 Member and Wing Chaplin Captain Jill Paulson closed the Awards ceremony with a Prayer at the MIA/POW table, and thanked the room for Serving the Civil Air Patrol .

Palwaukee Squadron Turns 70

On December 1, 2011 the Palwaukee Composite Squadron celebrated 70 years of service to the Chicago land area.
Pictured above are Lt Col. Jeffrie's and Cadet Shin as they prepare to cut the Squadron Birthday Cake in a long standing Military tradition where the newest and the longest serving Members of the Unit share the Honors.

1st Air Force commander commends CAP on anniversary, cites 'special relationship'

Angela Pope

Public Affairs
AFNORTH

FLORIDA – Civil Air Patrol’s 70th anniversary today prompted the commander of Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region-1st Air Force (Air Forces Northern) to proclaim that “we simply could not do what we do every day without” CAP as an ally and partners in homeland defense and Defense Support of Civil Authorities.

“We share a special relationship with CAP,” Lt. Gen. Sid Clarke.

“CAP’s volunteers enable us to provide better service to the citizens of this great country,” Clarke said. “And though CONR-1st AF (AFNORTH)’s partnership with CAP is only a few years old, they’ve been providing this invaluable service since World War II.”

Mark OBrien, CAP-USAF liaison officer to 1st Air Force, said that in its capacity as the U.S. Air Force auxiliary, “CAP was uniquely positioned to conduct homeland security operations in support of the nation’s security initiatives and to be a force multiplier for the Air Force.

“So in 2005, CAP operational mission approval for the continental U.S. was realigned under 1st Air Force.”

The CONR-1st AF (AFNORTH) commander employs CAP’s services in lieu of or in supplement of Air Force resources to fulfill the noncombat programs and missions of the Air Force, Obrien said. Such services may include Air Force-assigned missions in support of homeland security operations, consequence management, support to civilian law enforcement and other civil support.

“CAP has been recognized as a national leader in its ability to respond to search and rescue, disaster relief and homeland security missions,” OBrien said. “This is due to their technology, their low cost and the speed with which they respond to an incident or event.”

The partnership between CONR-1st AF (AFNORTH) and CAP is put to work nearly every single day of the year, as:

• CAP can regularly be found providing air and ground teams in search of lost hikers, missing aircraft and the like.
  
• Several times a year, CAP teams around the country provide "tracks of interest" to aerospace control alert pilots, giving them a chance to practice scrambling and intercepting aircraft in a safe, controlled environment.
  
• When disaster strikes, CAP is out in force, doing everything from providing imagery analysis of the disaster-stricken area to rescuing victims of the disaster.

“I join a grateful nation in saying thank you for everything you do and have done for the last 70 years,” Clarke told CAP and its members.