Annually, the Gen E.W. Rawlings Chapter of the Air Force Association recognizes Minnesota’s Outstanding Airmen and Guardians, Cadets and Teacher of the Year.
This year, five cadets and two senior members of Civil Air Patrol were recognized for their dedication and service. The guest speaker was Colonel Stuart Pettis.
Team of three Chief cadets each flew solo today at the Stanton Airfield.
Special thanks to the enormous support from their CFIs Lt Col Carl Hallum and Capt Bill Pagel and the numerous tow plane pilots and flight line officers including Maj David Carlstrom and Capt Gary Berquist who got them in the air today!
Members of the Minnesota Wing’s North Hennepin Composite Squadron helped guide than 60 Scouts through the qualification for the aviation merit badge during a session at Crystal Airport.
More than 20 squadron members participated, coordinating the event, presenting seminars and assisting the Scouts. Meanwhile, on the other side of the airport the Experiment Aircraft Association provided orientation rides for 43 Scouts through the Young Eagles program.
People who know 1st Lt. Matthew Stepaniak will tell you it’s no surprise he cites receiving an award from Civil Air Patrol as one of the proudest moments of his life.
Stepaniak joined the Minnesota Wing in 2001. In 2015, he was recognized with the Robert Dunbar Memorial Award, given by the wing to “an individual who has expanded the capability of the Minnesota Wing communication field through their efforts and technical expertise.”
“Efforts and technical expertise” define Stepaniak, who was born with cerebral palsy but didn’t let that disorder define him. Now 48, he serves as assistant communications officer for the Viking Composite Squadron.
More than 70 Minnesota Wing cadets attended wing encampment this summer, participating in activities ranging from classroom instruction and physical training to a leader’s reaction course and an obstacle course that taught problem-solving under stressful conditions.
Cadet Senior Airman Megan Greshowak of the St. Cloud Composite Squadron shared her biggest takeaway from the activity at the Army National Guard’s Camp Ripley in Little Falls: “Having fun and being disciplined are not two completely different things. That’s what I thought before I came here, but now I know I can have fun and be disciplined at the same time.”
During the second week of July, a Minnesota Civil Air Patrol pilot, public affairs officer, and emergency services personnel responded to a request from City of Blaine to take aerial shots of the TPC Twin Cities golf course. Their objective was to perform an aerial survey of the venue that will host the upcoming Professional Golf Association (PGA) Tour called the 3M Open from July 22-25th.
Check out the amazing accomplishments of our squadrons and wing!
The Minnesota Wing’s Hutchinson Composite Squadron hosted an aerospace day camp June 8-9 focused on introducing local Girl Scouts to basic aviation principles and drone operation.
Even with COVID-19, our squadrons keep going!
