![](media/image1.png){width="1.2416666666666667in" height="1.25in"}CIVIL
AIR PATROL

United States Air Force Auxiliary

Squadron 23 (CA-016), Marin Air Rescue, California Wing

551 AIRPORT ROAD, BOX 15

NOVATO CA 94945-1404

[http://flt23.cawg.cap.gov](http://flt23.cawg.cap.gov/)

<pcrca016@earthlink.net>

Phone/Fax: (415) 897-2777

CAP Squadron 23 History Report for the Year 2003

By

2^nd^ Lt. Stephen Uhalley, Jr.

Squadron Historian and PAO

January 2004

The previous year, 2002, had witnessed the beginning of a serious
renewal of CAP activity in Marin County following several quiescent
years. Flight 23's initial efforts were necessarily concentrated on
refurbishing the quarters at Gnoss Field and by dint of many hours of
volunteer labor by several of its members much was accomplished by early
2003. Santa Rosa Squadron 157's counsel and help in these early months
is gratefully remembered, as is the support of Group 5 in Sacramento.

Consequently, by spring of 2003 priority attention was shifted to
training activities and to the expansion of membership. Once this
essential core activity was solidly underway, further work on the
building itself resumed in the summer of 2003 and the voluntary
contributions produced an even more comfortable and efficient facility.
This included roofing improvements in time for the 2003-2004 winter
season. The squadron gratefully accepted a generous donation of \$500 by
pilots based at Gnoss toward the expenses of the latter project.
Squadron Logistics Officer Tom Schiff, always quick to volunteer his
services, was prominent among the voluntary workers in making these
physical improvements to the facility.

Meanwhile, Communications and Management Information Systems Officer Sam
Cogswell, another inveterate across-the-board contributor to the
squadron's activities, along with knowledgeable new Senior Member Wes
Bethel, made the convenience of LAN service available at the squadron
facility.

The *esprit* engendered through Squadron 23's team efforts, hard work,
and early successes was nicely reflected in the distinctive new unit
patch (an aircraft against Golden Gate Bridge background), designed by
David Wertzberg, that was made available by mid-year.

The success of these efforts did not go unnoticed. Flight 23 was
elevated to squadron status in April 2003. Moreover, in October at the
California Wing Conference in Long Beach, the new squadron was
recognized as the "most improved" such unit. Squadron 23 Commander Greg
Felton, was named Pilot of the Year in Group 5 and Jon Straub was named
Safety Officer of the Year. Both also received Commander's
Commendations. Additionally, Ray Peterson, former Squadron 23 commander
and since June, Group 5 commander, was voted California Wing "Member of
the Year" in recognition of his contributions to CAP over the past half
century. Squadron 23 Deputy Commander (and Personnel Officer and Flight
Release Officer and Legal Officer and, earlier in 2003, Administrative
Officer) Laurence Steffan was deservedly awarded the unit commander's
commendation.

In October, Squadron 23's alert Emergency Services Officer Michael Allen
received a certificate of appreciation from the California Highway
Patrol for his timely response to a serious highway rollover incident on
September 1. Michael was able to put to lifesaving use his recent
conscientiously acquired EMT/first aid skills.

Such instances of recognition were not undeserved. Squadron 23's members
did work diligently, holding regular, well-attended meetings, generally
on the second and fourth Monday evenings throughout the year.
Invariably, serious training and information sharing were the hallmarks
of these meetings. As a result, the squadron made good progress in
acquiring and consolidating ES skills and ratings. At least two members
are now qualified to take incident commander training when the
opportunity next presents itself.

As part of the nationwide CAP response to the 9/11/01 terrorist attacks
and the establishment of a new Homeland Security Department in
Washington, D.C., Squadron 23 took on the new task of helping with
homeland security during the year. The new assignment was added to the
continuing important missions of emergency service, aerospace education,
and cadet training. Ironically, this new task had been CAP's initial
mission beginning in December 1941. David Wertzberg was appointed the
squadron's first homeland security officer.

Squadron 23's members participated regularly in SAR missions and
exercises, including ones dedicated expressly to safeguarding homeland
security. In late May and early June, the squadron contributed no fewer
than 275 hours to an intensive SAR mission based at Ukiah, with nine of
its personnel participating on five of the six days of the mission,
flying 142 people hours on 36 sorties. Although not as intensive, there
were many more such missions and exercises, and standby alerts. These
were principally in Northern California, but Squadron 23 members
participated in SARs as far south as the high Mojave desert south of
Bakersfield.

Squadron members participated in the annual air operations day at Gnoss
for the SAR community on August 23. This Marin Sheriff's Department
event was organized by Jeff Iversen and was open to Napa and Sonoma and
Marin Open Space and Park Rangers as well. Squadron Commander Greg
Felton conducted a UDF ground school on the occasion, from which a
Powerpoint presentation is now available.

Some of the squadron's other programs were also notable and indicated a
disposition and capability to reach out to the Bay Area
aviation-oriented community and to other relevant organizations. On
August 28, the squadron hosted a presentation by former United Air Lines
Captain Al Haynes (of the spectacular 1989 Sioux City, Iowa
crash-landing of UA Flight 232 fame) that attracted more than two
hundred persons. On October 27, the president of North Bay EAA Chapter
1232, former UAL Captain and Test Pilot Phil Simon, gave a talk at a
regular squadron meeting on the history of aviation charting and
navigation. Flotilla Commander Nick Tarlson, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary,
and Marin County Assistant Emergency Services Coordinator Bruce Stahley,
among others, also made presentations at regular squadron meetings.

During the year, the Squadron's facility was also made available to
other appropriate parties, including the local EAA chapter, and to the
Gnoss Field FBO, Air Ward, for ground school classes.

It is noteworthy that Squadron 23's contributions and achievements were
accomplished without a corporate aircraft having yet been assigned to it
on a regular basis. In September, a well-presented formal request
professionally composed by Squadron 23 Finance Officer Rob Grehan was
made for assigning a corporate aircraft to Squadron 23 to be based at
Gnoss Field. Such an aircraft is needed to expedite responses to
emergencies and to assure that flight proficiency is kept razor sharp.

In the meantime, the Squadron did have access to corporate aircraft at
Santa Rosa (Cessna 182), Sacramento (Bonanza A36), and Concord (Cessna
206). On occasion such aircraft stayed for short periods of time at
Gnoss, including one aircraft, a higher performance 265 HP Cessna 182,
from Eureka. Moreover, two of the Squadron's own mission pilots,
Laurence Steffan and Jeff Iverson, continued to contribute the use of
their own aircraft for CAP missions.

Late in the year, Squadron 23 undertook to manage the CAP NorCal glider
and will seek to develop a glider program.

On September 22, Squadron 23 launched its cadet program, with veteran
cadets from Travis AFB and Sacramento in attendance. While at least one
cadet had faithfully attended meetings earlier in the year, giving
credence to the unit's "composite squadron" designation, the formal
launching signified a determination to develop a cadet program in a
structured, professional way. The eight-week cadet basic instruction
course was launched the following week. Liz Warren is the squadron cadet
program officer as well as aerospace officer.

By the end of the 2003 calendar year, Squadron 23 had 24 senior members
and three cadets. This included six mission pilots (Greg Felton,
Laurence Steffan, Jon Straub, Jeff Iverson, Rob Grehan, and David
Weitzberg), all current, instrument-rated, and proficient.
Unfortunately, however, Jon Straub's capable services are being lost due
to a new employment opportunity in Las Vegas.

The availability of other CAP mission pilots nearby (Ray Peterson and
Aaron Kahn) also facilitates the squadron's readiness to respond to
emergencies, swiftly and reliably.

Major Deena Gollner served cooperatively and cheerfully as liaison
officer from the USAF, but is expected to retire shortly. Her presence
will be missed.

The squadron was saddened by the news that local CAP supporter Helene
Stratman, formerly a CAP Lt. Col., had passed away on November 29, 2003.
She had joined CAP in 1973 and was considered "a pillar" of the cadet
programs in Marin and San Francisco.

The squadron historian and PAO underwent an unexpected major heart
surgery in August, but by the end of the year was showing signs of
life...and he did not fail to fly on December 17, the one hundredth
anniversary of controlled, powered, heavier-than-air flight!

Perhaps it is propitious that the centennial of flight was celebrated
during what was a very successful year for CAP Squadron 23.