Timmerman Composite Squadron - Civil Air Patrol

WWII Veteran and Former POW Speaks of Experience

Sunday, 21 March 2010 14:25 1st Lt Jeri Gonwa

Wearing his original uniform, 1^st Lt Frank Speer from the U.S. Army Air Corps, WWII veteran, and former POW, spoke to a over 50 members and guests of 10^th Senior Support and Timmerman Composite Squadron on Monday, March 1 at the Timmerman hangar.

Born in 1922 and following in his father’s footsteps who served in World War I in the Army Infantry, Lt Speer joined the Army Air Force Aviation Cadet Program in January 1942. After his training ended in Texas as a fighter pilot, he received his wings and was commissioned in the Army Air Corps and was sent to Florida for a week of ground training.

Lt Speer flew the P-51 aircraft with the 54^th and 57^th Fighter Squadrons from October 1943 to February 1944. He was then sent to England where he underwent combat flight training for a month. In April 1944, Lt Speer as assigned to the 334^th Fighter Squadron, 4^th Fighter Group, in which he began flying fighter combat missions over Germany.

It was at this time during his 17^th mission that Lt Speer was shot down near the Polish border on May 29, 1944 and he became a prisoner of war. It was these stories that Lt Speer spoke to the CAP audience. Enlightening the group as to the food the prisoners had to endure, the Germans tactics in interrogation, as well as the jokes they would play on the German officers, served to captivate all in the room.

He spoke of the three times he tried to escape his German captors and the 77 hour march in sub-zero temperatures. He was eventually rendered totally disabled because of that march, though he joked that his “wife never knew that”. No doubt it was his sense of humor that helped him endure his captivity.

It was the third such march to Mooseberg that Lt Speer and a companion escaped the Germans clutches. They made their way to allied forces near Mooseberg on April 29, 1945 and returned stateside in June. He concluded his career with the Air Corp in December 1946.

Lt Speer was credited with shooting down two enemy aircraft as well as destroying four on the ground. He was awarded the Prisoner of War Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, as well as his campaign medals. He has authored three books about his wartime experiences and an artist has painted a picture of his being shot down. The original now hangs at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

Last Updated on Sunday, 21 March 2010 14:36

Timmerman Members Attend Emergency Training

Thursday, 21 January 2010 11:09 1st Lt Jeri Gonwa

At the heart of every mission that the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is involved in, you have the Mission Base and Communication Staff. Wisconsin Wing (WIWG) held a training weekend with a Mission Base Staff/Communication Academy the weekend of January 15 - 17, 2010 at Volk Field Air National Guard Base.

There were seventy-three participants in this weekend long event in which senior members and cadets were able to choose from four specialty tracks. Of those participants, WIWG played host to nine CAP members from the neighboring states of Illinois and Minnesota.Thirteen of the attendees were from Timmerman Composite Squadron.

Sixteen students graduated from the Basic Emergency Communications training track which comprised of Basic and Advanced Communications User Training, a Communications Exercise, and a Wing Communication Exercise. The students are now Mission Radio Operators ready to operate in a communication center of any size mission.

The Basic Mission Management track had eight graduating students. Students learned either the Operations Branch such as an Air Operations Branch Director or a Ground Branch Director; or to work in a support function such as in the Logistics or Finance/Admin Section, or as a Communications Unit Leader. For some this was a refresher course, where others were looking to upgrade their specialties.

Twelve senior members were looking to become rated as a Section Chief or higher and completed the Advanced Mission Management track. They are now qualified to execute a Search and Rescue (SAR) or Disaster Relief (DR) incident and to serve on either the Command or General Staff of our largest incidents.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) was attended by twenty-two members and non-members alike. The training is invaluable in any disaster relief mission should an unfortunate event strike their own home town.

A few of the techniques learned in CERT: How to assess an injured person in fifteen seconds, the many different techniques of carrying people, the use of a fire extinguisher, and the proper way to lift a concrete slap off an injured person who is trapped. The graduates are now certified to help in their local areas should disaster strike.

Also present were fifteen personnel who served as staff and instructors. They served in capacities from logistics, trainers, food preparation, and support staff. Three United States Air Force members were also on hand.

Last Updated on Thursday, 21 January 2010 12:38

Cadet Receives Leadership Award at SUPT FC

Wednesday, 29 July 2009 18:04 2d Lt Gonwa

C/CMSGT Josh Gonwa receives the Major Richard Auger Leadership Award from Lt Col Craig Reedham, USAF, T-6 Academic Instructor C/CMSgt Joshua Gonwa, 17, served on staff at Civil Air Patrol’s Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Familiarization Course held at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., for two weeks, July 11-18 and July 18-25.

C/CMSgt Gonwa was a student at last year’s SUPT FC and this year he wanted the opportunity to help other cadets learn about the program. The first week he served as Cadet Commander and received from Lt Col Craig Needham, USAF T-6 Academic Instructor, the Major Richard Augur Leadership Award for his outstanding leadership abilities.

Offering a head start to aspiring military aviators, these two separate, one-week, academically intense courses are designed to give CAP cadets an introduction to Air Force flight training. They learn side-by-side with U.S. Air Force student pilots and receive a behind-the-scenes tour of the base’s facilities, including the air control tower, aircraft maintenance hangars and the parachute shop. Participants also receive briefings on the mission and operations of a flight-training wing, as well as academics and physiological training.

The flight academy is one of 30 National Cadet Special Activities sponsored by CAP this summer. These activities allow cadets to hone their skills in a variety of areas, including search and rescue, emergency services, science, leadership fundamentals, citizenship and military courtesies, and to explore aerospace technology and aviation careers. In 2008, 1,064 youth participated in CAP-sponsored summer activities.

Through its cadet program, CAP builds strong citizens for the future by providing leadership training, technical education, scholarships and career education to young men and women ages 12 to 20.

C/CMSgt Gonwa has been a CAP cadet since December, 2006. He has worked hard in developing his leadership abilities and has served as Color Guard Commander, participated on the Drill Team, has been on numerous emergency service missions, and has held several cadet staff positions. He is working on obtaining his Mitchell Award, a milestone in CAP in which cadets become an officer and are eligible for various scholarships for college and flying.

C/CMSgt Gonwa is working to obtain his private pilot’s license through CAP and won a scholarship enabling him to take high school online aviation courses through AeroScholars, a program through the Spread Your Wings Academy, hosted by EAA. His goal is to join the Air Force ROTC program after high school and become a fighter pilot after college. His dream is to become an F-22 fighter pilot, and he is well on his way to achieving that goal thanks to the effort and training he is receiving in CAP.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 29 July 2009 18:27

Aerospace Education Open House

Wednesday, 30 September 2009 00:40 C/CMSgt Dan Turkal

Three of the eleven Wisconsin Wing Civil Air Patrol planes were showcased during the event. Milwaukee's Timmerman Airfield was abuzz with activity on September 19 when it played host to the Civil Air Patrol Aerospace Education Open House. 10^th Senior Support Squadron hosted the event with the assistance of the Timmerman Composite Squadron.

The open house was geared towards bringing in members of the community to learn about CAP and its mission of Aerospace Education. Eleven of CAP’s aircraft from around the state flew to Milwaukee to showcase one of CAP’s largest assets including a Cessna 182, Gippsland GA-8 Airvan, and an historic CAP Piper J3 Cub. A local news helicopter from WISN-12 as well as other light aircraft was also on display.

Many of Timmerman Composite Squadron's cadets helped youngsters build and shoot off their paper rockets. The public was able to view displays on air traffic and aerodynamics, build and launch pneumatic rockets, and get a chance to talk to volunteers about their experiences with the organization. Being able to tour the Timmerman tower was a treat that is not often available to the general public.

A highlight of the day-long event was the EAA's Young Eagles program. They provided 42 free introductory flights to the youngsters that were present. The program helps spur on the desire to learn more about aviation and to get children interested in learning to fly. Without this program, many children would never have the opportunity to fly.

Onsite training was also held including an FAA safety seminar, CAP aircraft maintenance seminar, and a CFI/Check Pilot class.

All in all, the event was a success and plans are already in the works for next year’s open house.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 30 September 2009 01:00

Color Guard Participates in State D.A.R.E. Conference

Thursday, 16 July 2009 19:48 Jeri Gonwa

The honor of presenting the colors went to four members of the Civil Air Patrol, Timmerman Composite Squadron Color Guard at the state Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Conference held at the Radison Hotel in Glendale on Monday, July 13.

The ninety police officers in attendance from around the state of Wisconsin stood at attention as the Color Guard brought in the American flag and posted it on the platform at the beginning of the conference. Officer Joel Dhein of the Glendale Police Department and Director of the Wisconsin D.A.R.E. Conference requested the youth to present the colors since the D.A.R.E. program is geared towards the youth of our country and he wanted to present a group of youth that shares the same values as the D.A.R.E. program.

The relationship between Officer Dhein and the Timmerman Composite Squadron started a couple of years ago when Lt. Donald Haffner, also an officer with the Glendale Police Department, got the Civil Air Patrol involved in the Bayshore Safety Days held in May in which Officer Dhein is also the coordinator. Officer Dhein was impressed with the youth involved in the Civil Air Patrol. Lt Haffner, known as Col Haffner in CAP, also holds the highest position on the state level as the Wing Commander for the State of Wisconsin.

Presenting the colors was: C/CMSgt Britney Donald, Color Guard Commander C/MSgt Jonathan Gonwa, C/Amn David Weak, and C/A1C Travis Maxwell.

Last Updated on Thursday, 16 July 2009 20:01

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