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Dear Members:
Today was most memorable as we set up the course objectives at our new training area well before dawn.
This new training area is 750 acres of rugged, hilly, untouched woods.
After we completed the required safety briefing and outfitted our new safety vests with modern, new equipment, we broke into two ground teams and started the 0900 hours activities.
Ground Team One (GT1) started an ELT search that was planned for proficiency and not difficulty.
Under the direction of Lt. Sebesta, the members were able to experience the intricacies of the urban DF settings. They quickly silenced the first ELT sortie of the day.
At the same time, GT2 headed east, right into the heavy woods looking for a series of clues left to promote thorough line searching and proper radio usage.
Mission base chores were handled by Lt Niemann as both ground teams made use of the radio on a very frequent basis. GPS coordinates were often exchanged as information flowed freely between all interested parties.
By noon we retreated in search of a good lunch before the next activity was scheduled to begin.
After lunch GT 1 covered the clue-search trail down to the ravine and recovered the clues and returned with two bags of candy bars for their efforts.
At the same time, GT 2 was doing the planned missing person search under the watchful eye of Lt. Col Graf. GT 2 completed a difficult line search down the steep hill on the western-most border. Near the bottom was where Lt. Col Graf discovered our "missing person".
To the surprise of the team, our lost, injured person was the squadron's own mannequin, Macy (aptly named because she was donated by Macy's store in St. Paul).
Cadet Johnson interviewed Macy and determined that she needed to be carried out of the woods on a makeshift gurney. Lt. Col Graf instructed the ground team members on how to best secure Macy for a safe move to the top. With some help from GT 1 we were able to move our missing person to the staging area for a debriefing and some afternoon PT.
As always, this was a team effort with the set-up and execution of the event. Special thanks go to Cadets Schmidt, Pahr, Sebesta, Johnson, Fox and the Niemann cadets for helping me get the event rolling. Thanks to Lt. Niemann and Flint Hills for the use of their space. Of course we had great support from Lt.'s Sebesta, Pottorff, Pahr, Col. Graf and Cpt. Markegard.
We welcome new cadets Moen and Blaeser.
Honorable mention goes to Cadet Hannigan who put in a 100% effort getting over the "wall".
We are already planning for the next training event - expected to be 13 November 2010. Stay tuned for details. Until then....enjoy the pictures.
Jeff Leif, 1Lt
What a day!
Thanks to our Emergency Services Officer and the excellence of the ES legacy in our Squadron from committed members, it is reported that another productive day in the field took place.
Flint Hills is an impressive site and proved to meets the needs of our Squadron completely. It has many challenges, mostly physical, (yes, more than AHATS) in a smaller area.
Even though I was not able to attend, I have recieved so much positive feed-back that I wanted to share it with all members.
Thanks to the Lts. Neimann and Sebesta and Captain Markegard for their continued support and assistance making sure our Cadets are properly trained and supervised. Lt. Leif planned and executed a very fun experience for everyone on one of autumn's last, best days.
Also - to the brave Senior Members Lt. Col. Graf and Lt. Pottorf who joined the ranks for the entire day along with the Cadets, who worked on all areas of the many activities that took place, - great job!
Thank you to the Cadets that did much of the scenario set-up. I firmly believe that the shear strength of youth serves as a continuing inspiration to keep us (yes, the older members) motivated and moving forward to preserve excellence and integrity in our service.
We eagerly anticipate a full report, and perhaps some slides and video from 1Lt. Leif.
So long fall and summer!,...get ready for flakes.
Semper Vigilant!
Amy Pahr, Lt - DCFC
651-459-9824
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