Emergency Services

MSWG and MSU Team Up in Oil Spill Reconnaissance

Captains Trey Breckenridge and Roger Smith, members of the Golden Triangle Composite squadron have developed a computer program to aid in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill reconnaissance mission.  Captain Breckenridge the High Performance Computing Resources and Operations Administrator at the Mississippi State University High Performance Computing Collaboratory ( HPC3) and Captain Smith works with him as a Senior Computer Specialist. Using their professional knowledge and their background in CAP they created the new image management system that is being used by the MSWG to process the daily aerial photographs from the day’s flight mission.

The aircrew now uploads the photos from their daily mission to a server that is being provided by Mississippi State University through an agreement with MSWG in support of this mission.  The software runs on this server, automatically overlaying the image with positional coordinate data, the direction in which the photo was taken, the time it was taken, and the CAP logo.  After processing, the system places the processed images into a protected outgoing directory where they may be downloaded by the customer.  This system is now entirely automatic, requiring no human interaction other than the upload process performed by the air crew.  According to mission pilot Major Danny Watson, “This system allowed the aircrews to shorten their duty day by several hours, making our day more manageable.”

Lt Col Al Fernandez, Col Tim Carroll, Lt Col Wes Bennett and Mark Warriner (LAWG) work to process the day's photographs in Gulport.

Members of the Mississippi Wing of Civil Air Patrol continue to support two missions for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster.  Since late April, members from the three coastal squadrons have carried the major responsibility for the missions, taking personal leave from their work and devoting their weekends  to ensure that the missions are flown.

Mississippi Wing’s first request for support was a state mission to fly staff from the Department of Marine Resources and Department of Environmental Quality.  These missions resulted in early surveillance of the potential threat to the Mississippi coastlines and wetlands.  Photographs of the spill areas and booms taken during daily flights provide valuable information for the agencies and the State.  The coast units have a strong working relationship with these agencies and have a good knowledge of the coastal area.

In early May, the Mobile Command Center became the center of activity for Civil Air Patrol’s multi-Wing mission in support of the United States Coast Guard.  MSWG, along with members from throughout the Southeast and beyond has supported the command center functions aircrew needs, and photo processing.  This is a seven day a week operation.  MSWG took the IC lead in rotation with other Wings the first week of July.  Aircrews from MS Wing fly one mission daily taking ADIS aerial photos of oil containment booms and specified other areas of interest.  The route is from the southwest corner of Mobile Bay west to the Mississippi-Louisiana state line and then east along the barrier islands including Dauphin Island.

The following Mississippi Wing members have provided support for one or both of the Deepwater Horizon missions.  Those identified with an asterisk have provided support on a regular daily basis over the past months:

Col Tim Carroll – Commander Mississippi Wing
Col John Tilton – National Headquarters
Col Becky Tilton – Mississippi Wing
Lt Col Wes Bennett – Operations, Mississippi Wing*
LtCol Bob Kilroy – Col Berta Edge Composite Squadron*
Lt Col Kathleen Wiley - Berta Edge Composite Squadron
Lt Col Al Fernandez – Olive Branch
Lt Col David Williams – Mississippi Wing
Lt Col Jim Wiley - Col Berta Edge Composite Squadron
Maj Keith Riddle – IG Mississippi Wing*
Maj Danny Watson- Commander, Singing River Composite Squadron*
Maj Mal Woodcock – Chief of Staff, Mississippi Wing
Maj Gary Hornosky- Commander Diamondhead Squadron *
Maj Hank Rogers – Commander, Berta Edge Composite Squadron*
Capt Irvin Hansen - Diamondhead Squadron
Capt Tom Simmons - Col Berta Edge Composite Squadron
Capt John Freeman – Pine Belt Composite Squadron
Capt Julian Alarcon - Singing River Composite Squadron
Capt Al Sayre – James McKinnie Composite Squadron
Capt Trey Breckenridge - Golden Triangle Composite Squadron
Capt Roger Smith – Golden Triangle Composite Squadron
Capt Jack Schwartz – Mississippi Wing
Capt Stanley Wyckoff – Eagle Composite Squadron
1^st Lt Darrin Stewart – Col Berta Edge Composite Squadron
1^st Lt Randy Broussard - Pine Belt Composite Squadron
1^st Lt John Brown - Singing River Composite Squadron
1^st Lt Monte David - Diamondhead Squadron
1^st Lt Gene Cornelison - Singing River Composite Squadron
1^st Lt Lance Upshaw - Singing River Composite Squadron
1^st Lt Craig Peters - Col Berta Edge Composite Squadron
1^st Lt Debra Hornick – Pine Belt Composite Squadron
2^d Lt Bill Dye - Diamondhead Squadron
2^d Lt Lee Perry- Jackson Composite Squadron
SM Gary Turner - Singing River Composite Squadron

MSWG Holds Check Pilot Ground School

The Mississippi Wing conducted a National Check Pilot School and Annual Standardization Evaluation  meeting at headquarters on Saturday, 15 May 2010,  Individual check pilot were required to complete  the NCPSC  online course prior to arrival.  Colonel Tim Carroll opened the meeting which was followed by a safety briefing from Major Mallory Woodcock and a discussion of  FAA PTS requirements.  A Presentation on the CAPR 60-1 for Form 5’s was presented by Lt Col Wes Bennett and 60-3 for Form 91’s by Capt Hank Rogers.  Prior to the participants building scenarios for Forms 5 and 91 rides, Colonel Tilton presented a session on scenario based training and evaluations. Impending weather hampered the completion of check rides.

MSWG PIlots attend check pilot ground school at MSWG HQ in Jackson, MS

Gulf Squadron Participates in Oil Spill Assessment

Acting in its role as the U.S. Air Force auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol’s Mississippi Wing has launched aerial pre-damage assessment flights for the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and the Department of Environmental Quality as a gigantic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico creeps closer to the Mississippi Coast.

Mission pilot 1Lt John Brown, MS051, (right), plans the day’s flight with Kevin Posey, MDEQ (left), and Darrin Stewart from MDMR. Stewart is also a volunteer member of Civil Air Patrol.

The flights along the Magnolia State’s shoreline began Monday, from CAP’s Mississippi Wing mission base in Gulfport. Aerial video and photos taken by a state employee who is also a mission scanner in CAP’s Col. Berta A. Edge Composite Squadron in Biloxi will be used by state officials to assess potential damage from the spill The spill was caused by a deadly oil rig explosion 40 miles off the coast of Louisiana. To date, the wing has flown six sorties for a total of more than 17 hours.

“We have a long established working relationship with the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources,” said Capt. David A. “Hank” Rogers, the wing’s emergency services officer. “They knew immediately that CAP was the single best asset available for this mission. We have been able to provide flights as needed and with minimal response time. The training really pays off at times like these.”

Employees from the two agencies are getting a firsthand look at the oil spill area and checking on placement of oil containment booms designed to protect the Mississippi coastline and barrier islands. The flights are also allowing officials to assess potential impact zones and to plan for future containment measures. 

Daily flights will continue throughout the month as requested by the agencies.

Capt. Rogers of Biloxi is mission coordinator for the CAP flights. Aircrews include Majors Keith Riddle, Gary Hornosky and Danny Watson; 1^st Lt. Darrin Stewart, and Capt. Irvin Hansen. They are members of the Mississippi Wing, Col. Berta A. Edge Composite Squadron and the Diamondhead Composite Squadron.

MSWG Check Pilot School

The Mississippi Wing will hold a “one day” check pilot meeting at MSWG-HQ at Hawkins on 15 May 2010 from 0830 to 1600 local.  It will not be the traditional NCPSC.  We estimate that it will take about 3 hours of discussion of process and standards and the rest of the time will be used for some check rides.  We will possibly need all five of the C182’s at the meeting, but will advise later.  The Mission number is posted in WMIRS. 

Please send notification if you are planning to attend and if your need a check-ride to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PROCESS FOR COMPLETING THE NATIONAL CHECK PILOT STANDARDIZATION COURSE HAS CHANGED!  Tthe new procedure stipulates that pilots take the on line NCPSC course at least once every 4 years, and then complete a Form 5 Check Pilot ride every year, and/or a Form 91 Mission Check Pilot ride every two years with a designated examiner.  Changes to CAPR 60-1 on this matter are forthcoming.

The Mississippi Wing policy will be to also host a “face to face” funded check pilot meeting every year to discuss specific wing issues and standards with our check pilots and also offer check rides that are due the month of the “meeting”.  All check pilots MUST attend one of these meetings at least once during a four year period.

FOR CURRENTLY RATED FORM 5 AND FORM 91 CHECK PILOTS!!

All currently rated Form 5 and Form 91 Check Pilots should log onto e-services and click on the “NCPSC Course” on the left side of the screen and read ALL the instructions and information there, then;

Complete the “on-line” NCPSC course and print the completion certificate, BEFORE 15 May 2010.  If you are due a check ride in May or June 2010, please bring the certificate with you to the 15 May meeting.  You may, if time permits, receive a check ride on the 15^th.  If you do not need or receive a check-ride on 15 May, you  can schedule a ride with a “Designated” examiner at your next regularly scheduled Form 5/91 time.

NOTE: In order to maintain your status as a MSWG Check Pilot, you MUST complete the online NCPSC course no later than May 15th. After that time your check pilot privileges will be suspended until you satisfactorily complete the online NCPSC course.

FOR MEMBERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN BECOMING A MISSISSIPPI WING CHECK PILOT OR MISSION CHECK PILOT:

Complete a CAPF 17 noting your qualifications with a request to become a Form 5 or Form 91 check pilot.  The “17” must be recommended by Wing Operations with final authority remaining with the Wing CC . Once approved, the applicant must complete the on line NCPSC course and attend an annual MSWG Check Pilot Meeting.

After satisfactorily completing both these steps the applicant may request a check-ride from a designated check pilot examiner named by the Wing DOV. Upon satisfactorily completing this check-ride the applicant will then be interviewed by the wing commander [or his designee] prior to becoming designated as a MSWG Check Pilot.

To summarize, a MSWG Check Pilot applicant shall follow the steps outlined below.

Complete and submit a CAPF 17 to the MS/DOV. 

Once approved, the applicant must:

• Complete the online NCPSC
• Attend an annual MSWG Check Pilot Meeting
• Satisfactorily pass a check pilot form 5 check-ride with a designated examiner
• Interview with Wing CC or designee
• Receive final approval and designation from the wing commander