Palwaukee Cadets Tour O'Hare Facilities

Marc Stanley, 1st Lt, CAP
Public Affairs Officer
Palwaukee Composite Squadron (IL-049)

“American Eagle Operations Center” From left to right, cadets Steven Schweinsberg, Galina Lipkin,
Kyler Miller and Grayson Watson flanked by American Eagle staff members.

“CRJ700 Cockpit” From left to right, cadet Mitchell DeMaeyer, 1st Lt Tom DeMaeyer and cadet Max Liebel.

A group of cadets and escorting senior members from Palwaukee Composite Squadron (IL-049) recently enjoyed a rare opportunity to tour both the FAA Control Tower and the American Eagle Flight Operations Center at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Their adventure started at the Control Tower where they received an initial briefing from O’Hare Tower Operation Manager Larry Taylor who also serves in the Air National Guard. Mr. Taylor discussed the role the Tower plays in directing flights into and out of O’Hare, the third busiest airport in the nation. He also fielded a variety of questions regarding Tower operations as well as how cadets can prepare for a career in air traffic control. Mr. Taylor shared some of his experiences from 23 years as a US Air Force air traffic controller and trainer, including recent deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Next came a presentation from Palwaukee’s own 1st Lt Jim Krieger, who serves as the Quality Control Manager for O’Hare Tower Operations.

After this initial briefing, the group was escorted up 17 stories to the Main Operations Center of the Tower where they had the opportunity to take in panoramic views of the Airport as well as to observe the controllers on duty directing aircraft into and out of their airspace. The Tower staff also showed the cadets several radar systems that they use to keep track of traffic both in the air and on the ground.

Next, the Palwaukee cadets were off to visit the American Eagle Flight Operations Center. The hosts for this stage of their tour were CAP 1st Lt Tom DeMaeyer, who is an American Eagle Senior Captain, and American Eagle O’Hare Assistant Chief Pilot John De Paola. The group saw the crew quarters where pilots can relax and prepare for their next flight. Lt. DeMaeyer escorted each individual in turn to the cockpit of a CRJ700 airliner where he described the aircraft’s systems and answered numerous questions. The tour also included a stop at the Operation Center’s tower where aircraft are dispatched.

Major Bob Dempsey, director of Palwaukee’s cadet program, said: “This was one of the best aerospace field trips the Squadron has participated in. It was a great opportunity for the cadets to have access to these places and take a close look at several different aviation related careers. Our visit to the FAA Control Tower was one of the first of its kind since the 9-11 tragedy and would have never been possible without the efforts of both Lts. Krieger and DeMaeyer”.

PWK Cadet earns Mitchell Award

By Marc Stanley, 1st Lt, CAP
Public Affairs Officer
Palwaukee Composite Squadron

Cadet Ryan Weinberg of Palwaukee Composite Squadron received the General Billy Mitchell Award and was also promoted to C/2d Lt at the November 10th meeting. Presenting the award was Great Lakes Region Vice-Commander, Col. Robert Karton, joined by Group 22 Commander, Maj. Robert Williams, and Squadron Commander Captain Scott Murphy.

Cadet Weinberg joined Palwaukee in 2006 and currently serves as the Cadet Flight Commander. He has attended 4 encampments, serving as the First Sergeant at the 2009 IL Wing Spring Encampment. In 2008 he was awarded the USAF Sergeant’s Association Medal for outstanding performance. Maj. Robert Dempsey, who supervises the Squadron's cadet program, describes Cadet Weinberg as a “hard worker, very deserving of this recognition”; he expects that he will now assume an even greater leadership role.

The Mitchell Award is given after completion of the first eight structured segments of the CAP cadet program. In addition, a cadet must also pass an examination covering leadership theory and aerospace topics. Cadets who receive the Mitchell Award are eligible for advanced placement in the grade of E-3 (Airman First Class) should they choose to enlist in the US Air Force. They are also eligible for advanced credit in the Air Force ROTC program. Mitchell Award cadets may also apply for a variety of scholarships and are eligible to participate in certain special CAP activities.

Cadet Weinberg is a Junior at Vernon Hills High School and plans to serve in the U.S. Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment after receiving his diploma. Says Cadet Weinberg: “To me, the Mitchell Award is just a piece of paper. The true accomplishment is all these bonds that have been created, and the knowledge and ability I have gained from CAP that I will carry with me forever.”

PWK hosts SAREX

By James Kalemis
Mission Information Officer

Six sorties were performed by air and ground crews during a SAREX performed in northern Illinois. The sorties included a photo reconnaissance mission of Marseilles and Utica dams, an ELT search, and a High-Bird sortie.

The exercise was lead by Major Jerry Scherer, Incident Commander. "This is the time for us to make mistakes so we can learn to be better. It was a successful training day. New members participated on their first mission", remarked Major Scherer.

"ILWG's operational capacity was enhanced through the hard work and dedication of the volunteers that participated in this exercise", said Capt. Mordechai Levin, Planning Section Chief. "The exercise was done with limited resources showing up, but still achieved satisfactory training", remarked Lt Col. Brian Nielson, Operations Section Chief.

(from left- Major Bob Dempsey, Major Jim Bartel, and 2d Lt. Jim Krieger)

Additional section leaders were Major Bob Williams, Ground Branch Director, Capt. Joe Long, Air Branch Director, 2nd Lt Tim Buckley, Safety, and Capt. Ron Walerowicz, Communications.