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The Air Force's evaluation of our performance is now complete! We took a full CAP van of cadets and seniors to Mankato to offer our services for this important SAREX. With four senior members and five cadets we left Holman Field at 6AM Saturday. Upon arrival at the Mankato Regional Airport, we were briefed before setting up for a long day of flight-line work. We quickly got into a groove with the incoming airplanes. For the next six hours the St. Paul cadets moved the CAP flights in and out of the ramp area. It was not all as easy as we planned for. We often had multiple aircraft moving through our area. Despite the initial communication issues, we finally perfected our technique and safely moved the airplanes.

In the middle of the afternoon we were treated to a missing person search in a rural county park. Our cadets did a great job finding the clues and making the find of the "injured pilot". Then, back to the airport and another hour on the flight line.

During the downtime working the ramp we were treated to a personal tour of the one and only Mayo 1 helicopter. The pilot and medical crew explained what they do and pointed out some of the key equipment on their seven million dollar helicopter. It was quite impressive. The most impressive thing is the state-of-the-art electronics and avionics. (and the pilot who knows how to use them) However, the pilot pointed out that no computer can hover or land this complex piece of equipment.

As much as I hope I never need to be airlifted anywhere, I was comforted in seeing such dedicated people. In the course of our work there we watched Mayo 1 and its crew take off and land several times.

Finally, we were called in and the Air Force explained how we did that day. The exercise was a success. Several areas received an Outstanding rating.

St. Paul was also represented in the Communications area, Ground Branch, and logistics and IT. They really earned their wings. The Niemann team was there the entire weekend in support of this event. Good job and thanks!

I want to thank senior members Sebesta, Schroeder, and of course Lt. Markegard.

Tthe cadets were outstanding. Thanks to Cadets Tunell, Sebesta, Lewis, Johnson and Freeman. All of them deserve a special Thank You for their maturity, dedication and excellence. They are the reason I continue to volunteer for these challenging assignments.

Finally, my hero of the weekend was SM Keith Sebesta who bravely took a wasp off my lap with his bare hands while I was swerving my way through Bloomington on Hwy 494. Being allergic to bees and wasps and not being a big fan of their venom, I was less than a tough guy as I danced in my seat trying to figure out how to rid myself of the unwanted visitor.

I am quite happy to report that we all survived the exercise and may even laugh about the events some day.

Here's the link to a story aired on KEYC-TV, Mankato on the USAF Eval there on Saturday. http://www.keyc.com/node/36203

Jeff Leif, 1Lt, CAP
St. Paul Composite Squadron

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