2010 National Cadet Competition in McMinneville, Oregon

Utah Wing Cadets best in the nation

In an amazing turn of events, Cadets of the Utah Wing of Civil Air Patrol were selected the national winners of the annual National Cadet Competition held in McMinneville, Oregon, at the Evergreen Aviation Museum, home of the Spruce Goose. This is the second trophy for the Utah Drill Team, whose members compete locally and regional for the opportunity to be on the team and represent the Region.

Utah, representing Rocky Mountain Region, is one of five states in the Region including Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. Cadets 12 to 18 years of age may compete.

The National Cadet Competition began in 1948. Utah won twice before 1960, then not again until 2009 and 2010. Eight teams of skilled cadets from each region in the U.S. are judged on aerospace knowledge, leadership (drills) and physical fitness. Drill teams perform standard and innovative drills, run a mile-course, compete in a volley ball tournament, and are tested on their knowledge of aviation history, flight, aerospace and leadership skills through written exam and panel quiz.

Team leader, 2d Lt Zack Hopkins of Nibley, Utah, scored highest among his peers in the written exam and finished the mile in 4:52 minutes, placing second overall. The team initially did not place 1st, until a scoring error revealed they had the highest points. The National Commander, Gen Amy Courter, notified the Region on July 7th.
Team members are from squadrons as far north as Logan, and south as far as Provo, Utah. There are 13 cadets per team.

Utah CAP member assists with North Dakota mission

Recently, Major Mark Wilkinson, a member of Utah's Civil Air Patrol (CAP), returned from Fargo, North Dakota where he relieved local aircrews working alongside FEMA to provide aid during North Dakota's severe flooding.

Maj. Wilkinson is one of Civil Air Patrol's few ARCHER operators, and his skills were needed. ARCHER is CAP highest resolution camera system. "Running the ARCHER system requires in-depth training that few CAP members posses," Maj. Wilkinson stated.

Maj. Wilkinson is an aerospace engineer who works at USU's Space Dynamics Laboratory in Logan, Utah. Maj Wilkinson said that his employer is very understanding of his volunteer commitment. "CAP members often drop everything to aid in disasters," he said, "but after a few days, their employers grow impatient. Normally neighboring states backfill the gap, but when you have a large disaster like Katrina or when you need specific skills like ARCHER, it becomes a nationwide effort. That's why I was brought in."

Maj Wilkinson flew several missions during his week-long stay. "There is an amazing amount of water on the ground. I can't believe how well the people in North Dakota are coping with it. During the day, we were in the air imaging dams, reservoirs, lakes, rivers, and towns. At night, we'd process and package up the imagery in a format that FEMA used."

On March 14, President Barak Obama declared the situation in North Dakota to be an emergency, authorizing federal funding and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate all disaster relief efforts. CAP was among the resources FEMA called upon.
"From what some of the locals told me," Maj. Wilkinson said, "the amount of water wasn't much less than last year, when they experienced much more damage, but much of the infrastructure was already in place. They were ready this time, and I was happy to help."

Photo 1 Caption: While the flooding is being well managed, the amount of water across North Dakota is apparent in this photo taken from a Civil Air Patrol plane south of Fargo. (photo credit: Maj. Wilkinson, Civil Air Patrol)

New aircraft for Utah Wing

Spring brought more than flowers to Utah Wing . . .

Two CAP pilots flew back from the factory with a new aircraft for the Wing. Capt Steve Mills enjoyed the trip and the training he received as well. "The Cessna Factory G1000 training is the best focused training I have ever received."

"I had a blast in Independence KS for the week long G1000 training. The days were full of learning and flying (with Cessna’s top notch instructors), and at night I enjoyed small town good eats and relaxed in the Molly Brown Suite at the Molly Brown B&B with the occasional movie. After a week of intense training Capt. George Tudder flew out to assist me in the trip home. The flight home included a detour south to Farmington NM (Four Corners Airport) for weather, (that's) where we stayed the night in a little motel close to the airport. The following day George and I finished the trip home, all the while enjoying the spoils of the New G1000."

Happy flying and be sure to keep those floormats looking new!

Photo of Capt George Tudder and Capt Steve Mills contributed by 2d Lt Edward Felleson, Utah Wing Historian.

The WINGSPAN

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Getting ready for the next competition!

Members of the Titan Drill Team and the Phoenix Squadron will be competing in the next region competition. Details on that date and place will be announced.

Utah has never won the National Cadet Colorguard Competition, so the team looks forward to the contest and are preparing now for the regional meet. The Color Guard Competition was held at the Wing Headquarters in November. Hopefully, the program can bring a team from every squadron next year. As we learned in the Drill Team contest, the competition helps inspire stronger skills and standards in our teams.

Anyone who attended the Drill Team competition enjoyed the level of skill involved as well. The competiting teams put on a great show.

For more information on the history of the competition, visit Wikipedia and the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Competition.

Utah's RMR Titan Drill Team is #1 !!!

Good Morning Utah Wing,
The National Cadet Competition was held in Evergreen Oregon this past weekend with teams competing from, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, Missouri, New Jersey, California and Utah and all competing for the Nation’s top Drill Team, The National Champions Trophy . This Year I am proud to announce that Utah has won FIRST PLACE OVERALL. The team took first in the mile run, first in volleyball, first in test and first in standard drill. Braden Mickelson had won the male fleet foot award with his 4:40 mile run. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE DRILL TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Robert Bost, Col, CAP
Utah Wing Commander