Nov 18, 2018 Bong Flyer

NOV 2018

THE BONG FLYER

QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF CHAPTER 226 OF THE AIR FORCE
ASSOCIATION

EDUCATE ADVOCATE SUPPORT

ALONE & UNAFRAID 148TH FIGHTER WING
AWARDS CEREMONY
RF-4C PILOT KIRK RANSOM
Our next Quarterly Program will be on Wed 12 Dec @ Join us on Sunday 2 Dec @ 1400 at the
1800L at the Barker’s Island Resort in Superior, WI. Duluth Entertainment & Convention
Please join us for dinner and a presentation by Mr. Kirk Center to present our Bong Chapter
Ransom, a University of Minnesota-Duluth alumnus and Awards to the top performing Airmen of
veteran of 180 combat missions in Vietnam. our hometown Bulldogs. If interested in
presenting an award (CGO, SNCO, NCO,
CHAPTER TEACHER OF Airman, or First Sergeant) please let me
THE YEAR know @[email protected].

Congratulations to Mrs. Kimberly Peddle of Washington CHAPTER FUNDRAISER
Elementary in Cloquet. Mrs. Peddle was recognized for PAPER AIRPLANE TOSS
her outstanding contributions in STEM education.

FOOTER Thanks to all those who participated in the
first ever chapter fundraiser at Esko’s Fall
Festival. While we didn’t make much
money this time around, we sure had a lot
of fun encouraging our next generation of
flyers!

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DULUTH CIVIL AIR PATROL UPDATES

UNIT VISITS ST LOUIS COUNTY RESCUE SQUAD FACILITIES

On July 19th the Duluth Composite Squadron members visited the St Louis County Rescue Squad
headquarters and storage facility on Hwy 53 in Hermantown. Unit members joined the unit meeting in
progress followed by a tour of their facility and briefing on their equipment. SLCRS members
demonstrated a rescue method of raising a victim from a lower location with rope slings. Plans to use
the unit van for transportation failed when the serpentine belt broke on engine start up requiring major
repairs along with the right front wheel brakes and bearings.

UNIT COLOR GUARD SHINES AT PROCTOR HOGSHEAD FESTIVAL

On August 18th the unit participated in the 2018 Proctor Hogshead Parade in Proctor, MN. Lt Col Keith
M. Bischoff and 1Lt Amity J. Heinbach followed the Cadet Color Guard with the Unit Van for the three
mile parade well attended by the community.

MN WING GROUP 1 SEARCH AND RESCUE EXERCISE (SAREX)

On August 25th the Duluth Composite Squadron hosted the MN Wing Group I

SAREX at Duluth International Airport with 38 MN wing members participating conducting 11 Air
Sorties limited by marginal weather for 18 flight hours and four ground sorties. Lt Col Keith M. Bischoff
served as the Incident Commander while Majors Jamie A. Bird and Gary L. Lemasters managed the air
sorties conducting ELT, route and grid search missions. Majors James H. and Diane G. Harris from
Walker manned Mission Administration and Safety positions. The unit was able to ascertain the
effective operation of the unit VHF radio system after the recent installation of a new antenna.

MN WING CRYSTAL AIRPORT SAREX

On September 5-13 the Minnesota Wing CAP sponsored a SAREX operating out of Crystal. MN
airport with the North Hennepin Unit hosting the event. Over 59 MN Wing members participated with
in with 46 air and 1 Ground Sorties logged. Flight hours totaled 61 with aircrews tasked for the
following including aircraft and aircrew relocation, route, grid, ELT searches and Photography. Lt Col
Keith M. Bischoff served as the Incident Commander while Capt Todd M. Hamiter managed the week
long air sortie plan. We used up 90% of the $3251 funds allocated.Many members were able to
upgrade their ES qualifications with their participation. They also learned of the need to complete and
have on hand the CAPFs 160 and 161 medical and ICE information.

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AIRCREW FLIGHT SAFETY CLINIC

On August 9th Major Richard R. High, Grand Rapids CAP Squadron, visited the unit to conduct a
Flight Safety Clinic for the Duluth Unit aircrews. He covered the specifics regarding several aircraft
crashes, aircraft ground operations and the recommended standardized operation of the Cessna 172 and
182 aircraft relating to tail strikes and operational procedures by MN Wing

148 Fighter WING ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE

On September 15th the Duluth Composite Squadron being invited to the 148MNANG Open House
visited the unit at the Duluth International Airport using the unit van for transportation. Members
observed the Unit Recognition Parade of 148 FW members that had returned from overseas
deployments. They were given briefing on the unit activities and opportunities in the 148 FW for CAP
cadets. Some members took advantage of the opportunity to get a photo in the cockpit of the F16
fighter jet.

CAP ANNUAL FLIGHT CHECKS

Annual flight checks for Major Gary L. Lemasters in a Cessna 182T G1000 and

Grand Rapids Unit Commander, Major Richard W. High in a Cessna 172N. Major Gary L. Lemasters
conducted CAP Form Annual Flight Checks for 2Lt Alexander A. Zayas and Capt Derek S. Olson in the
Cessna 182T G1000 aircraft.

UNIT EARNS CAP QUALITY CADET UNIT AWARD

On September 20tn the MN Wing Commander, James A. Garlough, reported the Duluth Composite
Squadron had earned the Quality Cadet Unit Award along with 12 other MN Wing Units

UNIT SENIOR PROMOTIONS

Several unit seniors earn grade promotions by meeting upgrading requirements including the
following:

Major s Gary L Lemasters, Cloquet MN and Bryan J. Fresman, Duluth, MN, promoted to Lt Col.

Capt s Jay W. Jones, and Jamie A. Bird, Duluth, MN, promoted to Major.

Senior Member Jeremy W. Helm, Duluth, MN, promoted to S/Sgt.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

AFROTC Det 420 Dining Out Sat 1 Dec/1730 @ the UMD Ballroom
148th FW Awards Sun 2 Dec/1400 @ the DECC
Quarterly Program Wed 12 Dec/1800 @ Barker’s Island Resort

CHAPTER COUNCIL CONTACTS

Chapter Contact List: [email protected]
President: Bryan Graddy [email protected]
Vice President: Tim Nesley [email protected]
Secretary: Jessie Graddy [email protected]
Treasurer: Ben Shafer [email protected]
Vice President of Veteran’s Affairs: Keith Bischoff [email protected]

GOT AN IDEA FOR A QUARTERLY PROGRAM OR A GUEST SPEAKER? DROP ME A LINE
AT [email protected]

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