18 January 2008

MEMORANDUM FOR ALL

FROM:  CC

SUBJECT:  History of Southeast Wisconsin Group

1.        Group XII was first established under the command of LTC William Cooper.  This group encompassed the squadrons in Kenosha, Racine, Walworth and Waukesha counties.  The original designator was 48124. 

2.        During the EAA Air Show at the Burlington Airport a storm blew up and produced life-threatening conditions.  Aircraft were destroyed, including a Ford Tri-Motor.  Hangers were ripped down and people were injured.  The Civil Air Patrol units were on scene as part of a fund-raising activity.  They acted quickly to prevent loss of life and help in the recovery after the storm.  They did this at significant risk to themselves.  For these heroic actions they were awarded a UNIT CITATION TO THE ENTIRE GROUP.  The units active at that time which were a part of the group were:  Southeast Wisconsin Squadron;  Milwaukee Composite Squadron 5; Racine Composite Squadron; and Kenosha Composite Squadron.  (Members of the units at that time are eligible to wear the Unit Citation ribbon IAW CAPR 39-3.)

3.        The second group commander was Major Elizabeth Janzer.  Under Major Janzer’s command the Group fielded the first all female group rescue team, the Pink Panthers. (This was significant as female seniors were required for over night activities for girls and a separate team was the only logistical method determined to be reliable at that time.)  CADEX 12, a cadet run exercise, was established as a major cadet training activity at Hunt Field in Racine County. 

4.        Group XII’s responsibilities were changed to include the southern half of Milwaukee County and the units located there.  This list of units, over time, included:  Kenosha Composite Squadron, Racine Composite Squadron, Waukesha Composite Squadron, Milwaukee Composite Squadron 5, Billy Mitchell Senior Flight, Milwaukee Composite Squadron 7, WalCo Composite Squadron, Col. R.C. Jaye Cadet Squadron, Mitchell Composite Squadron 9, Falcon Squadron (Burlington), and the Westosha Composite Squadron.

5.        Command of Group XII transferred to Major John Egan.  By this time Group XII consisted of four units, Kenosha, Racine, Milwaukee 5, and Waukesha.  The Military Ball became a Group XII responsibility.

6.        LTC Timothy Brennan became the next Group Commander.  A re-alignment occurred and a new unit was added.  Col. R. C. Jaye was moved to the Group.  WalCo and Mitchell Composite Squadron 9 were started.  AE Weekend started.  A new and expanded headquarters staff of 22 seniors led flight clinics, military ball, cadex, practice exercises, senior training courses and local coordination between units. 

7.        LTC Michael Curry was the interim commander for a short term as the Group Executive Officer when LTC Stys transferred to wing headquarters and LTC Brennan left CAP.

8.        LTC Elizabeth Curry took command as most of the unit personnel transferred to wing to help build a new headquarters staff.  The unit was then re-designated the Southeast Wisconsin Senior Support Flight 12.  The identifier was still WI-124 and the name was later changed to the Southeast Wisconsin Senior Squadron 12 when membership strength returned.

9.     In 2006 we are once again Southeast Wisconsin Group.  We are back.  The people, the units and the missions are the same.  Our  number is new, WI-205.   Some of the challenges are new.  We have worked together for the last 15 years without the group.  Now we put the group to work for the units. 

10. In May 2006 the Southeast Group was awarded a Unit Citation Award covering the period 1January 1995 to 21 December 2005.