The Meaning of Leadership

Throughout the centuries, a succession of strong men corrupted the meaning of the word leadership by calling themselves leaders as they proceeded to wrest power from the people and shower privilege upon themselves and those who kept them in power. Saddam Hussein is a good example – as are many other dictators, either contemporary or known to us through historical writings. Dictator itself has become a derisive brand applied to such individuals, when its Latin root dicto (to say) actually cast it in the grammatical role of "he who says" (literally) or "spokesman" (please forgive the gender assignment in this piece; there is no elegant way around it, but both genders are equally implied). This is why some people have come to consider leadership as synonymous with ordering or forcing to obey.

Nothing could be farther from the truth. In his long essay (some say book) "The Genealogy of Morals," Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) observed that in ancient times, as people gathered themselves in a group for safety, a leader emerged and they followed him because he took the initiative in defense of the group. This leader also shouldered the blame when the group was vanquished, thereby proving through his willingness to die that he valued the group more than his own self. Nietzsche called such a leader Übermensch, a term unfortunately translated as superman, rather than over-man – or better yet man-above. (The German Mensch is much closer to human being than man.) What he theorized was not the incarnation of a real-life, early Clark Kent but, rather, a man of such high moral principles and extraordinary sense of rectitude that he led by personal involvement – and by giving of himself, up to the ultimate sacrifice.

Today's military has codified this behavior, and extols the courage of those who prove themselves in battle above and beyond the level of commitment exhibited by those around them. However, courage does not need a war to show its brilliant colors. There are many kinds of courage. There is the courage of your convictions, and the courage to speak up, and the courage to do what is right. Above all, throughout history, successful leaders have all shared one common trait – they have led through personal example.

Morally, leading through example requires the leader not to profit from his leadership, except as a consequence of the greater benefit acquired by those he leads, and on whose behalf he has acted. The leader's glory is always a reflection of the well-being and just treatment of those he leads.

It is impossible to have served in the military, and retired from it, without having encountered many leaders, some exceptional at both ends of the scale. Since the system is designed for efficiency and excellence, the poor leaders soon drop away, and the superior leaders, as a rule, become mentors of others like them. Mentoring is the capable leader's most lasting contribution to the group, because this is how good leadership takes permanent root. Those of us who have served know that we stand on the shoulders of giants.

Then there is the actual imperative that comes with the job. It is commonly accepted that a true leader always places himself last when it comes to acquiring benefits, and is always first when the mission is on. It is also an accepted tenet that a leader must be technically proficient, because, ultimately, he is not only the servant of the group but its primary teacher as well.

A leader who cannot discharge the duties of his job, either through ignorance or unwillingness, and orders others to do the work for him, and attempts to take credit for their efforts, not only is not a leader but soon vanishes.

Capt Arthur E. Woodgate, Editor

Core Values

Lt Col Owen Younger, Commander

Group III Needs You

Group III is larger than any other Wing in Southwest Region (except for Texas and Arizona) and, to function effectively, it must be capably staffed. I'm humbled by the many excellent volunteers who step forward and agree to devote some personal time to help make CAP work for the community, the area, and our state. This is one of those times. Group III needs to fill two positions, and I am asking for qualified candidates who can step forward and be of service. The positions are listed below.

Group III Admin/Personnel Officer – While Group III only has 11 members assigned to TX-030, there are close to 700 members in all of Group III. The admin job is not complex, but it needs to function effectively. The person who accepts this position would be taking over an already mature and well-defined process, and would be expected to assist Group III in handling personnel and administrative actions. Ideally, this individual will already be an Admin/Personnel officer at a squadron, and will accept the Group III job as an additional duty.

Emergency Services Officer – After holding this job for a number of years, Lt Col Dennis Gross has recently stepped down. This position is somewhat different from the others, because I view it as a primary duty. I would like to find a candidate with good Ops and ES experience who would like to take on this responsibility. This is a great opportunity to work at group level to assist in all manner of ES work, including planning for training opportunities, helping establish policies when necessary, and taking a lead role in preparing the group for possible future DR missions.

Any qualified person interested in one of these positions please contact me, Maj Laurie Lancaster or Maj Alan O’Martin.
Tertia semper primoris

Lt Col Owen Younger, Commander

Join Group III Cadet Group @ Yahoo.com

All Group III cadets are invited to join the Group III Cadet newsgroup. To do so, please visit http://groups.yahoo.com and select Group3txwingcadets as the group to join. This is a moderated group, in order to ensure professionalism and proper content in all postings. Group III will send all group members information on Group III cadet program activities, as well as Wing and National opportunities.

Maj Paul Perkins, DCP

Overcoming Giants

Recently I watched the inspirational movie Facing the Giants. The story is about a downtrodden Christian high-school football coach who turns to God when everything seems to be going against him. As the coach and his team commit themselves to do their very best, and to trust God to do the impossible, they learn a great lesson about faith.

As I watched this heart-warming story, I was reminded that we all live through times when we have the opportunity to face great challenges (giants), that seem to be too large for our abilities. One of the great lessons of life is learning how to vanquish these giants.

One of the best examples of overcoming challenges is found in the Biblical story of David and Goliath, I Samuel 17. From this passage of scripture we can learn several truths about overcoming our own life’s giants.

First – Meeting challenges and surpassing them is a normal part of life. Everyone has challenges. Having overcome past challenges has prepared us for the challenges that we face today. Overcoming our present challenges will prepare us for facing future challenges. David was prepared to face his giant because he had already overcome a bear and a lion.

Second – If we do not overcome our fears and face our giants, we in fact will be in bondage to our giants. In essence, Goliath’s challenge to Israel was clear – Kill me or serve me. If we refuse to face our giant, then we are in danger of becoming prisoners of our own fears.

Third – Giants are overcome by simply running toward them. David ran toward Goliath with a weapon that he understood well, shielded by his faith in God. The outcome was Victory. 

Learning to overcome the challenges of a bear, a lion and finally a giant were all part of David’s preparation for becoming a great King. As you face your challenges, I encourage you to have faith in God. Make a commitment to do your very best, and trust God to help with the rest. Never give up. Never back down. Never lose faith.

Chaplain (Maj) Ron Whitt

Open Group III Staff Positions

Personnel/Admin Officer, Professional Development Officer, and Emergency Services Officer. For details, please contact the Chief of Staff  - alan.omartin@verizon.net

Group III Patch Available

Are you on Group III Staff? Wear the Group III Staff patch proudly. At $5.00 each, they are a bargain and show your commitment to Group III and the CAP program. (Click on the image for a larger view.)

Group III Coins Available      Our mint has delivered a batch of new Group III Commemorative Coins, and you may own as many as you wish, for $10.00 each. They make wonderful gifts for your loved ones ... or even yourself. (Click on the images for larger views of the obverse and reverse.) To purchase either Group III Patches or Group III Coins, please contact Maj Alan O'Martin - alan.omartin@verizon.net

Maj Alan O'Martin, COS

1st Lt Opal McKinney, HGO

AFIADL 000013 Course, 24-25 March

Group III conducted the AFIADL 000013 CAP Senior Officers Course Workshop in Addison. Eight members attended, and will be taking the exam soon. 

The workshop format is recommended to study the course material and prepare for the exam – any unit may hold one. For more information, please contact Maj Alan O'Martin - alan.omartin@verizon.net

Member Reports Now Online at e-Services

CAP now offers a new online Member Reports feature at e-Services. Members who have access to Member Reports can use their PCs to view reports directly from the central CAP repository. This lets you review the most accurate and timely data available.

Member Reports is a Restricted Application, assigned to members by their Web Security Administrator (WSA) as directed by an appropriate commander. Currently, the application is in its infancy, but it promises to become the must-have for accurate member reporting. More reports will be added to support CAP missions and administration most commonly requested by CAP Members. Members will be able to select the report of their choice, after providing member organization, member type, and choosing one of three available formats: PDF, Word, or Excel.

The following personnel Information is available online at the Member Reports page on e-Services (left-hand side of main page): General, Achievements, Address, Characteristics, Contacts, Duty Positions, Photo, and Training. Members should review their information often to ensure that it is accurate and up to date. You can edit your own contact information; other information must be submitted by your unit. If you need help, please ask your unit PDO.

Senior Member Training Opportunities

Maj Alan O'Martin, PDO

Putting Cadets in Proper Perspective

DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX – When I hear someone say, "Oh, that's just cadet stuff," I get quite upset. Let me tell you why. Statistically, humanity is about two generations away from extinction. That means that if no young people were to come into the world for 50 years or so, the few remaining adults would be too old to have any children, and humanity would disappear in a few more years after that.

Were the human race to vanish, the planet might be better off, but it would certainly stop the wonderful chain of renewal and opportunity that every child inherits upon birth. No more discovery, building, joy, little sorrows, tragedies large and small, great deeds. Triumphs of the spirit would have ceased to exist. Art in every form would have lost all value, since without people to experience it, art would be just so many useless artifacts. In fact, "useless" itself would have no meaning, since without humanity there would be no sense in trying to apply either "use" or "uselessness" as a concept. The very idea of a concept cannot exist without humanity. Only in relation to human existence can something be either useful or useless, conceptual or concrete.

As Civil Air Patrol volunteers, we enter into service to the community and embrace the three missions of Emergency Services, Aerospace Education, and Cadet Programs. Why is it, then, that no one ever thinks of saying, "Oh, that's just emergency services stuff"? Let's examine the three missions. Without cadets, we would have lost one third of our missions. And Aerospace Education would have been cut in half (on the assumption that Aerospace Education targets an equal number of adults as cadets) loosing a sixth of our missions. So here we are. Were there no cadets, there would be no point to half our missions.

Now be honest and stand up to the facts. Let's take a closer count of our remaining assets. How many cadets participate in Emergency Services? How many cadets are manning the radios as we go off into the air doing "important" things? How many cadets beat the bushes searching for an emergency transmitter? How many cadets are there on the tarmac, marshalling away? How many cadets fill in when not enough senior members are available? How many cadets do the fund-raising that keeps things going?

And I still have more questions. Who among us was never young, rash and inexperienced? How did we get to be responsible, mature, and seasoned in what we do? Maybe, just maybe, we are "just senior members" to cadets. Who, after all, will inherit the Earth...

Capt Arthur E. Woodgate, PAO

The Group III Newsletter Gets Around

DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX – Your Group III Newsletter is read far and wide, and sometimes its content seems appropriate and useful to someone else. I am very happy to report that the Utah Wing "Wingspan" issue of Spring 2007 carries an article bylined by 1st Lt Toby Buckalew, which is the result of joining two articles that appeared in successive newsletter issues. You'll find it in the PDF version of the magazine (ads removed) that is hot-linked to the image at left.

In the same issue, the editor selected my essay "In Memoriam 9/11," which appears there in its entirety, giving a link to the correct Group III newsletter issue, because the editor lacked space for all the images. My thanks to the Utah Wing for the courtesy.

Capt Arthur E. Woodgate, PAO

All it Takes is Wanting to Do it

DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX – This month, I am proud to announce yet another new cadet PAO's work being published on the Group III Newsletter. After joining CAP at the minimum age of 12, this 13-year old, in this issue, makes his debut in words and images. You'll read his article below, in the Crusader Composite Squadron section, and his digital photograph appears in the next article, bylined by his father – his squadron's PAO.

C/Amn Robert Severance IV attends the 7th grade at Danny Jones Middle School (Mansfield ISD). His father told me about his son's taking a photography course taught by a police expert, and sent me the cadet's "graduation picture" (not in CAP uniform). That's when I said, "This is another item for your squadron, but I'd like Cdt Severance to write it himself." And so he did. Less than five hours later!

Having awakened my curiosity, and sensing a larger story here, I asked Cdt Severance to tell me more about himself. Which he did. In his own words:

I am happy to welcome Cdt Severance to the Group III Corps of Cadet PAOs.

Young Severance has a bright future ahead of him, if you ask me. For one, he has probably broken the Texas Wing assignment-to-press time record...

Capt Arthur E. Woodgate, PAO

USAF-CAP Liaison Officer Retires, 20 March

RANDOLPH AFB, TX – In the Fall of 2004, Maj Jeffrey K. Yevcak – a brother officer who became a good friend – walked into the Tex Hill Composite Squadron TX435, in San Marcos and joined the Civil Air Patrol. It was a homecoming of sorts, since he knew CAP from before.

At an impressionable age, he had been a young CAP cadet in Aurora, Colorado where he acquired a taste for aviation. Fascinated by military aviation, from high school he went to the USAF Academy Preparatory School, graduating in 1984 with an appointment to the USAF Academy. Upon graduation from the latter in 1988, he earned a bachelor of science in astronautical engineering, which he rounded off in 1996 with a masters in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He had received his initial flight training in the C-141B Starlifter (right).

His career spans the difficult years that followed, including the severe cut-back in the size of the armed forces, and the Air Force was no exception. Jeff served with distinction in all assignments and excelled as a trainer and leader. In the military, where the job is largely independent of the physical place of assignment, families tend to remember installations in the light of personal achievements or events. His assignment to Charleston AFB, SC was memorable – there he met and married the former Ms. Jackie Tadlock. Reese AFB is another well-remembered spot – there he became a T-1 Instructor Pilot, and their son Matthew was born. Edwards AFB also holds a special place in the Yevcaks' memory, since Jeff was selected to fly the T-39 Sabreliner (left), in which eventually he became a flight examiner. He held numerous leadership positions, and at McCord AFB, WA he retrained as an aircraft commander in the C-141B, became Chief, C-141 Wing Training, eventually becoming the Deputy Chief of the Wing Operations and Training Branch.

In December 2001, he returned to the T-1A Jayhawk (right) as a PIT Instructor Pilot (essentially, instructor of instructors) at Randolph AFB, where he has been assigned to the 99th Flying Training Squadron. While at Randolph, he served as PIT Flight Commander, Squadron Assistant Operations Officer, and Wing T-1A Flight Safety Officer. His military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (4 awards), Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, Achievement Medal, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal.

At a simple ceremony presided by Col Terry J. Ross, Director of Operations, 340th Flying Training Group, in the presence of his peers, family, and friends, Maj Jeff Yevcak retired from the Air Force. Representatives of the Civil Air Patrol were present, as were members of the Waldorf School, in Austin, which Matthew attends. As a colossal surprise, his USAF Academy room mate also showed up for the occasion.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

[1] Col Terry J Ross pins on the Meritorious Service Medal on Maj Jeff Yevcak [2] Col Ross hands over the MSM certificate [3] Col Ross runs through Jeff's many assignments and duty positions [4] Col Ross presents a Presidential Certificate of Appreciation signed by George W. Bush [5] In recognition of her unwavering support, Mrs. Jackie Yevcak receives an Air Force Certificate of Appreciation [6]-[8] The members of the 99th Flying Training Squadron present him with an American flag that has flown over Congress. ([7] was rescued from a flash malfunction.)

9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

Capt Arthur E. Woodgate, PAO

Monthly Safety Briefing

Presenting both a flight safety briefing and a ground safety briefing is a mandatory monthly requirement. This need not be a lengthy presentation – a 10 to 20 minute talk (and optional group discussion) is enough.

Maj Jeff Yevcak, the Randolph AFB safety officer who is also the Randolph AFB liaison officer to CAP, has kindly offered the following for the month of April, should you want to use them at your own squadron.

April Flight Safety Briefing (MS Word document)

April Ground Safety Briefing (MS Word document)

Avoiding Dehydration – A Fluid Situation

1st Lt Robert Mullen, LGT

Recurring Reports

2007

Maj Alan O'Martin, COS

Assessing Risk is Mission Essential

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- We are all home, at least for now. After four months deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the members of the 41st Rescue Squadron A-Flight fulfilled the final half of an eight-month commitment supporting our combat search and rescue mission.

While flying home on the final leg between Baltimore and Atlanta, I began to reflect on one particular flight where the use of crew resource management translated into mission success.

Since the beginning of the Global War in Terror, Moody's rescue wing has lost three helicopters in Afghanistan and one in Iraq. Seven crew members gave their lives in the process.

All seven deaths took place in Afghanistan, and the biggest killers of that desolate country are the mountains and the weather. In Iraq, helicopter pilots face a greater prospect of being shot at by ground fire. In Afghanistan, the greatest threat is the terrain.

After swapping stories with other pilots, I had the feeling flying in Afghanistan was sort of "graduate" level. Before leaving, many of us compared notes with Afghan vets. It didn't take long to feel the perils of mountainous flying in Afghanistan. Between Iraq and Afghanistan, most helicopter pilots I've spoke to consider Afghanistan the more dangerous place to fly.

Preparing for this, our flight spent two weeks flying in the mountains of Asheville, N.C. While Asheville's altitude doesn't compare to Afghanistan's, the foggy weather synonymous with the Smoky Mountains provided perfect training for our helicopters. The lessons we learned were worth their weight in gold by the time we were called upon for a medical evacuation mission on Dec. 23, 2006.

On this night, our crew consisted of Capt. Craig Burks and myself, both HH-60G Pavehawk pilots; Staff Sgt. Grady Galvin, flight engineer; and Staff Sgt. Rick Castro, aerial gunner. Other than Sergeant Castro, all crew members had significant combat experience flying in Iraq. Flying in Afghanistan, however, was new to all of us.

My crew sat scattered throughout Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan, as our handheld radio's chirped with the news of a possible medevac mission. We soon learned our mission was to pick up a member of NATO's International Security Assistance Force special forces team approximately 60 miles north of Kandahar.

When word came we were directing a launch, our crew sprinted into action and expected to be off the ground in 30 minutes. As my crew prepared the helicopter for engine start, I reviewed the route, weather and enemy threats, and developed a game plan.

The weather at Kandahar was still "clear and a million," meaning unrestricted visibility - which gave our crew a false sense of comfort. About 20 minutes into the flight, Sergeant Galvin noticed the upcoming mountains looked bigger than those seen during previous trips to the north.

From our experiences in Asheville, our crew began communicating our options. The objective was now only 20 miles away, and the cloud deck peaked at 9,000 feet. We had three options; fly under, fly over or turn around. Flying under meant circumnavigating clouds, canyons, peaks and ridges - not something any of us were comfortable with. Turning around meant one of our allies was going to die. Flying over meant we might not find a "sucker hole" large enough to get down and make the pick up.

Turning around isn't an option many of us like to consider as our first. We knew running out of gas wasn't an issue, so our crew decided it was worth giving it a shot by flying over the top of the clouds. All of us are family men with children, and all of us were aware of the risks. As a crew, we decided to take the high road and fly above the clouds hoping for a clearing. We decided to fly to the point in space where the victim lay below. If we couldn't get through the thick clouds, we'd have to acknowledge the mission couldn't be performed at an acceptable risk level.

With more than 10 miles to the objective, the weather didn't look good. All of us were beginning to think it was a fool's errand. The best news came when the JTAC announced "skies clear," and much to our pleasure the assessment proved true. We crested one final ridge poking out of the clouds, and it was clear the cloud blanket ended. We were able to make a rapid descent into the fire base and successfully retrieve our patient.

Out of Moody's four accidents, not one was due to enemy fire. All shared one thing - they were flown by crew members trained in the ability to assess risk using operational risk management and were trained in the use of crew resource management. For us, what could have been an unsuccessful or even fatal rescue attempt turned into a success because we had a team of experienced aviators able to assess a dynamic environment and make the right decisions.

The lesson is we have lost airplanes and people. I am not here to pass judgment, but I am determined not to repeat the mistakes of the past.

As the war in Afghanistan continues into its sixth year, the U.S. Army and Air Force have entered into an agreement that allows the Army to use CSAR crews to augment their medevac capability. As the requirements of the medevac mission essentially mirror those of the CSAR mission, our crews stand ready to fly either mission at a moment's notice.

We will always follow our credo, "These things we do ... that others may live," but we do not venture beyond our capabilities and what we are trained to do. For aviators, it's important to be realistic with what you are capable of. If you're uncomfortable, it is your responsibility to speak up. Chances are, someone else is uncomfortable too. I am happy to say at least for now, we are all home.

Capt Matthew Miller, 41st Rescue Squadron

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