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Cadet Airman Justin Ramey of the Montana Wing’s Flathead Composite Squadron is delighted to find himself in the cockpit of a Montana Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopter.
Photo by Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Ann Michelle Ciampini, Idaho Wing
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Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Conner Potratz of the Flathead Composite Squadron prepares for a session in the Humvee rollover simulator
Photo by Cadet 2nd Lt. Zane Lemmon, Idaho Wing
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Cadet 1st Lt. Chris Rodwick of the Flathead Composite Squadron instructs Bravo Flight cadets in drill
Photo by 2nd Lt. Paul Brand, Idaho Wing
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The encampment’s cadet commander, Cadet Lt. Col. Matthew Conner of the Idaho Wing’s Coeur d’Alene Composite Squadron, guides cadet basics in using the EST 2000 weapons simulator.
Photo by Cadet 2nd Lt. Zane Lemmon, Idaho Wing
2nd Lt. Paul Brand
Personnel Officer
Coeur d’Alene Composite Squadron
Idaho Wing
MONTANA – The Idaho and Montana wings teamed up for a joint encampment at Fort Harrison near Helena, with 38 staff and 47 cadet basics gathering for 10 days of learning and training.
Activities included classroom sessions on Civil Air Patrol- and U.S. Air Force-related topics, as well as aerospace education and emergency services.
The Montana Army National Guard allowed the encampment to use of the facility’s land navigation range as well as an obstacle training course. An EST 2000 weapons simulator provided by the National Guard enabled the cadets to train on a simulated firing range and participate in marksmanship competition.
Another training exercise involved a Humvee Egress Assistance Trainer, which simulated a rollover accident and allowed cadets to train in techniques for evacuating a disabled Humvee. The experience stressed the importance of wearing seatbelts.
In addition, the cadets trained in drill and ceremonies and received classroom instruction in medical triage, land navigation and time management, and cadet leaders were taught to evaluate potential risks before all scheduled activities.
Later in the week, the cadets were able to view the interior of a Black Hawk helicopter and talk with the flight crew.
Special during the cnampment speakers included:
- Maj. Gen. Chuck Carr, CAP national commander.
- Cols. Mary Feik, aviation pioneer; Herb Cahalen, Montana Wing commander; and Robert Brost, acting Idaho Wing commander.
- U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Sheilagh Carpenter, character officer at the Air Force Academy.
To those who had received it, Feik personally awarded hand-written certificates for the cadet achievement award named in her honor.
The week ended with a pass in review and an awards banquet. Led by Cadet Lt. Col. Matthew Conner of the Idaho Wing’s Coeur d’Alene Composite Squadron, cadet commander for the encampment, the cadet staff worked tirelessly to ready the basics to the standards required for graduation.
Cadet Lt. Col. Timothy Beggs of the Coeur d’Alene unit served as cadet deputy commander, while Cadet Maj. Tor Jackola of the Montana Wing’s Flathead Composite Squadron was cadet executive officer.
The senior cadet staff were mentored by 1st Lt. Kirk Dehn of the Coeur d’Alene squadron, encampment commander, and Lt. Col. Col. David McGavock of the Flathead unit, chief of staff.
