Mankato Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol

An unusually warm January weekend was the setting for a search and rescue exercise 24-27 January. Units from across the state sent ground teams, aircraft, and mission base staff, including Mankato Composite Squadron. The theme of the exercise focused on homeland security roles antiipated for the 2008 Republican National Convention.

This exercise served as the biannual evaluation of Minnesota Wing's search and rescue capabilities by the United States Air Force. The Air Force examines every aspect of mission readiness. Minnesota Wing received an overall score of "satisfactory", while the command section received an "excellent" score.

On Thursday, Mankato sent an experienced aircrew to conduct aerial imaging of critical infrastructure along an assigned section of the Minnesota River Valley. These missions provide critical information to decision makers on the ground from other agencies. Capt JoEllen Peters, 1st Lt Curtis Hanson, and Maj John Barsness crewed the Cessna C-172 based at Mankato Regional Airport.

For the main part of the exercise on Saturday, a ground team from Mankato was dispatched to the Metro area. Led by 1st Lt Luke Frederick as Ground Team Leader, five members of the unit joined other searh and rescue assets from throughout the region. -luke-

Also, Saturday allowed another Mankato aircrew to participate in a communications sortie. Capt JoEllen Peters, Maj John Barsness, and Capt Nash Pherson provided a critical radio relay while orbiting over the New Ulm area.

Flying under the radar: Civil Air Patrol members converge on Lake Elmo
Stillwater Gazette

Is the CAP prepared for a plane crash? (With Video)
KSTP Eyewitness News ABC

New Date! Mankato Composite Squadron will be hosting a dinner to celebrate volunteerism and the 66th anniversary of the Civil Air Patrol. Come join us in Mankato for this important event!

U.S. Representative Tim Walz to speak, be inducted into CAP Congressional Squadron
The guest of honor and keynote speaker for this prestigious event is Minnesota's 1st Congressional District Representative Tim Walz. During the evening, Representative Walz will be formally inducted into the Civil Air Patrol Congressional Squadron. Congressional Members are authorized to fly in CAP aircraft, visit CAP unit meetings/social events and typically receive the honorary grade of Lieutenant Colonel. Walz has elected to maintain his military grade and will enter as a Chief Master Sergeant, the only NCO Congressional Member.

The Congressional Squadron is an operational search and rescue/disaster relief unit which routinely provides emergency services, counter drug support, cadet orientation flights, and other operations in CAP's Middle East Region. They have also conducted operations all over the United States in support of various government programs and agencies, including the U.S. Customs Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The unit Emergency Service Officer, 1st Lt Luke Frederick, has published a plan for Urban Direction Team training. Currently, the squadron has a goal of 80% certification for all eligible members. Please plan on attending these events to get trained and certified!

For details, see the published UDF Team Training Plan.

Gain work experience, serve your community.

Mankato Composite Squadron is currently seeking candidates for an unpaid Public Affairs internship.

The hours and scope of this position are flexible based on the wants and needs of the applicant.

An awards ceremony recognizing the disaster relief service of Mankato Composite Squadron members was held on Thursday, 25 October 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at Riverbend Academy. Map

The Disaster Relief award with "V" Device for service during a Presidentially declared disaster was awarded to 19 members.

Of these, 8 also received Search and Rescue awards earned during the floods and other emergency missions.

Members of the Minnesota Wing Headquarters staff, local government and law enforcement, and family members were in attendance at this public event.

During the floods, squadron members spent over 875 hours supporting search & rescue and disaster relief activities on the ground and in the air. During the first day of the flooding, a ground team from Mankato Composite Squadron was deployed to the area to assist with the Search and Rescue efforts. Over the following week, several teams were sent to assist with the Disaster Relief operations.