Palwaukee Squadron Cadets Tour Air Force One.

Congratulations to the Palwaukee Squadrons Cadet Honor Guard. On Saturday 16 June, the cadets received a tour of Air Force One while attending a 'Changing of the Colors' ceremony at O'Hare Airport. Way to go Cadets !

Wipotnik Receives Recognition

CAP Lt. Col. Lou Wipotnik, an 8-time Master and SAFE member, recently renewed his Master CFI accreditation. Wipotnik is an independent Chicago-area flight instructor who also teaches with Leading Edge Flying Club at Chicago Executive Airport (PWK). The 1996 Nationl CFI of the Year, he is also a FAASTeam representative in the FAA's DuPage FSDO area and serves as the Operations Training Officer at Palwaukee Composite Squadron.

Master Instructors LLC takes great pride in announcing a significant aviation accomplishment on the part of CAP Lt. Col. Lou Wipotnik, the 1996 National CFI of the Year. Recently, Wipotnik's accreditation as a Master CFI was renewed by Master Instructors LLC, the international accrediting authority for Master Instructor designations as well as the FAA-approved Master Instructor Program. He first earned this national professional accreditation in 1998, has held it continuously since then, and is one of only 9 worldwide to earn the credential eight times.

To help put these achievements in their proper perspective, there are approximately 96,000 CFIs in the United States. Fewer than 700 of those aviation educators have achieved that distinction thus far. The last 17 national Flight Instructors of the Year - including Wipotnik - were Master CFIs, while Wipotnik is one of only 15 Illinois teachers of flight to earn this prestigious "Master" title.

In the words of former FAA Administrator Marion Blakey, "The Master Instructor accreditation singles out the best that the right seat has to offer."

The Master Instructor designation is a national accreditation recognized by the FAA. Candidates must demonstrate an ongoing commitment to excellence, professional growth, and service to the aviation community, and must pass a rigorous evaluation by a peer Board of Review. The process parallels the continuing education regimen used by other professionals to enhance their knowledge base while increasing their professionalism. Designees are recognized as outstanding aviation educators for not only their excellence in teaching, but for their engagement in the continuous process of learning -- both their own, and their students'. The designation must be renewed biennially and significantly surpasses the FAA requirements for renewal of the candidate's flight instructor certificate.

For more information about the Master Instructor Program and to locate other Masters, please visit the "Find a Master Instructor" section of www.MasterInstructors.org To learn more about the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE), visit http://SafePilots.org/ The International Aerobatic Club (IAC) can be reached through their website at http://IAC.org/

Palwaukee Squadron's Lt. Motz." Home Town Hero"

Earlier this Month, Palwaukee Squadrons Lt. Motz. was in the spotlight as the Chicago Wolves "Home Town Hero " at Allstate Arena. Lt Motz was introduced on the ice during the National Anthem.

Sergeant First Class Drew Motz has been in the Army for 20 years. He is currently assigned to Third Brigade, 75th Division in the U.S. Army Reserves. Since 2001, SFC Motz has deployed to the Middle East three times, where he was awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge and Bronze Star for his work as Convoy Security Infantryman.

Lt. Motz is an active member of the Palwaukee Squadron focusing on the Cadet program,

and as he puts it "There to inspire the future of our Nation". His example represents the finest of CAP and the finest of our Armed Services, and is an inspiration to us all.

Thank You Lt. Motz !

Congratulations Major Griggs !

Congratulations go out to Palwaukee Composite Squadrons Major James Griggs as 2011 Illinois Wing Public affairs officer of the year. As anyone who has ever worked with Major Griggs knows, his work ethic is unrivaled and his commitment to, and knowledge of CAP is great.

He has been a PAO in 2 different Squadrons in ILWG, and is currently the lead PAO in Group 22.

Other highlights are,

• Has attained Senior PAO rating, and progressing toward Master level.
• He is a rated Public Information Officer, one of only 7 in ILWG, and the only one in Northern llinois.
• He has his Loening Award for Level 3 completion.
• Maintains Palwaukee Squadron web-blog, and determines all content there.
• Was a regular contributor to the ILWG Blog (now defunct).
• Is currently one of two Admins on new ILWG Blog.

His contributions and activities this year are as follows:
• Active PA mentor in Group 22, with lengthy media contacts.
• Identified Col. Charles Compton, WW2 CAP sub-chaser vet, for Wing and National recognitions.
• Was point-of-contact for NHQ PA’s needs related to the Compton award
ceremony, directly supporting Ms. Julie De Bardelaben and her staffers.
• Organized Compton recognition event at the request of ILWG CC, Col. Larson.
• Organized PA staff for Compton event, assigning action items to ensure
widespread local coverage.
• Was lead Public Affairs Officer for Spring Encampment 2011 at Naval Station Great Lakes.
• Assisted Chicago Executive Airport with their PA needs supporting their annual Open House.
• Assisted recruiting at both Waukegan Airport Airshow and Chgo Exec Airports Aviation Career Expo.
• Is an active participant in all Region and Wing PA conference calls.
• Has completed IS300 and IS400.

• Has been PIO of record on numerous REDCAPS and SAREX’s.
• Was CAP PAO for the annual Waukegan Airshow, an event that draws thousands of attendees each year.
• Was an Assistant PIO at 2011 SAREVAL, helping to attain the Excellent rating given by the USAF.
• Has secured annual Flag Detail work for local cadets at numerous Veteran’s activities through external PA.
• Has been assigned lead PAO for Spring Encampment 2012.
• Has supported ILWG-led “CAP 70th Anniversary QSL activity” for amateur radio
operators.
• Is assigned as PIO for 2012 Ice Bowl, and will also serve there as an SET for PIO.

Major Griggs has accomplished this while being Commander of the Palwaukee Squadron. And as a Ground Team member, he played a large part in the level of excellence that was responsible for the Palwaukee Squadron getting Illinois Wing Ground Team of the Year award.

Palwaukee GTM gets Award

Congratulations to the Palwaukee Squadron's Ground Team on being named the ILWG Ground Team of the year for 2011!

This recognition is for both Ground Team and UDF rated personnel who comprise our regular response resources on AFAM's. Our members were recognized for being the best ground assets in the state because of their commitment to raising the bar. Our members have the highest mission participation percentage, and a high level of personal training.....and professionalism.

I am pleased to be in the company of these fine members, and it has been a pleasure to serve on missions with them over the last few years. Congratulations on a job well done!

JAMES D. GRIGGS, Major
Commander

Group 22 hosts SLS / CLC courses

On 10-11 March, Group 22 sponsored both an SLS and CLC course in Northern Illinois. The activity was held at the US Army Reserve Center in Arlington Heights, IL, and was attended by almost 30 personnel from Northern Illinois.

This was the first time Civil Air Patrol had utilized the facility for training, choosing this as a more accessible location than the tried-and-true Naval Station Great Lakes, where the Group is headquartered. Major Brian Pokuta, Group 22 commander, offered this thought: "In an effort to make these kinds of training activities more accessible to the greater CAP member, we were determined to find a more centralized location within our Area of Responsibility. This location seemed much easier for many members to attend, geographically speaking".

SLS Director, Captain Ron Walerowicz, was pleased with how well the students embraced the weekend training. "Even though the weather was Spring-like outside, I heard many comments on how this training was well worth the time spent indoors. Numerous students commented on how they came away 'recharged' over CAP as a whole, after they completed the weekend".

Instructors attended from all over the Wing, with the goal of ensuring this event was a success. Included in the instructor cadre were two former Illinois Wing Commanders, Colonels Larsen and Burrell, as well as many former and current group and squadron commanders. "The networking opportunities were very plentiful, and it's not everyday you have the access to former Wing commanders....and the benefit of their experiences", commented 1st Lt. Mike Grenz, a CLC student.

Major Pokuta wishes to thank the Staff and students for their professional behavior, and their commitment to building their own professional development.

Palwaukee Squadron personnel who attended the activity are:

• 1st Lt Mike Grenz
• 1st Lt. Drew Motz
• 2d Lt. Lora Yowell
• 2d Lt. Greg Karris
• 2d Lt. David Lim
• SM Marc Ricard
• SM Mike Siegel

Palwaukee Cadets in the spotlight at Chicago Wolves game.

On 24 February Palwaukee Squadron’s Cadet Honor Guard presented the colors during the National Anthem before the Chicago Wolves hockey game. The Cadets participation in the event at the Allstate Arena was initiated by the cadets themselves. Cadet Sergeant Peter Fox explains,
“After getting approval through Major Dempsey I contacted the Chicago Wolves Home office and asked them if they would like to have us as color guard for a Chicago wolves game, and they said YES, they would love to have us. They gave me three dates to choose from. I brought it to the attention of the color guard to plan and pick the day they would be available to attend, and they chose Feb 24. I contacted the Chicago Wolves and they said it would be fine. After that I was in communication with them about tickets, planning, and where and who to meet on the day of the game. So we began drilling and drilling, and then the day came we all met up and represented Civil Air Patrol, our Squadron and Country proudly".
The color guard consisted of C/1st Lt Demayer, C/2nd Lt Lamarch, C/SMSgt Lambert, and C/SMSgt Fox. Our alternates were C/CMSgt Lieble And C/A1C Christina Zuley”
As always the cadets were sharp and professional and were a hit with the fans.