The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Dessa Rodeffer - Quill Publisher/Owner
Burlington, Iowa- Tucked away on the south side of the Burlington Airport is a building owned by the Civil Air Patrol-Burlington Composite Squadron, IA 005.
It is one of the few Civil Air Patrol units that owns its own building, thanks to the volunteer work and donations of past leaders and community backers.
The Civil Air Patrol works as an auxiliary under the United States Air Force with their mission - helping the sheriff and police departments, and fire fighters and other emergency organizations in mutual aide using mobil and hand held devices, volunteers on ground and aircraft in the air.
Every state or territory has a "wing" with a squadron (Civil Air Patrol Service members). There is also regions such as Iowa-North and South Dakota, and Northwest Missouri which the Burlington wing is in.
Also, there is the national region, and at the top is the U.S. Air Force.
The Burlington wing, due to its closeness to Henderson County Illinois, assists across the river when called upon in emergency situations.
How Henderson County Gets Service From CAP
If Henderson County Sheriff Steven Haynes needs service in his area, he would contact emergency coordinator Cindy Rhinehart and she would contact Homeland Security in Illinois who must okay it for approval and payment, and then they contact "Force One" which is the National connection located at Scotts Air Force base.
This is all done in a matter of minutes due to their repeaters and emergency system in place.
Examples are: a train derailment that needs aerial photos, a tornado where they are called upon to take aerial photos right before the tornado hits, and then again afterwards to verify what damage the tornado has actually caused.
In that system, Homeland Security called the "Wing" command will give them a "Wing Command Mission # which is what they need before a check book will be opened.
FEMA usually takes 24-48 hours to answer, but in the case of the approaching tornado, the approval came in within the hour.
Sometimes they are checking after high winds or tornados if dangerous power lines are down as the state doesn't always receive feedback right away from utility companies.
They can also be called out for searching downed-airplanes or to find a lost hunter, etc.
If the call is from Henderson County and is not approved by Homeland Security, the County would pick up the costs.
The Mission for CAPS is threefold:
1. Emergency Service
2. Cadet Program
3. Aerospace Education.
Captain Chris Sessions oversees the squadron and from Stronghurst, Major Paul Klees of Stronghurst, IL is the Commander of Cadets in Burlington. Klees had served in the military from 1985-2005 working on aircraft carriers and helped in launching and maintaing the planes. Klees now enjoys spending many hours training young people ages 12-18 who volunteer for this Cadet program. You might see some of his cadets helping with the Burlington Air Show helping planes land and park.
The Civil Air Patrol Service Cadet program has many advantages for young people.
They fulfill many tasks and obtain rank learning leadership skills, a good attitude, military organization, patriotism, time management, responsibility, accountability as well as corresponding on radios in emergency situations.
After going through the CAPS program successfully and if they choose to go into the military, they will be able to go in as an E-3, three pay grades up!
Klees explains there is a "ground team syllabus" and a "communication syllabus".
Although Cadets wear a modified version of the U.S. Air Force uniform, hold rank, and grade, and practice military customs and courtesies, not all of his signed and qualified cadets from his past have gone into the service.
They have, however, gone on to become Engineers, Social Workers, Lawyers, Air Port Managers, Teachers, Pipe Fitters, just about everything," he said.
Klees is very proud of his Cadets and their accomplishments.
In his squadron were 10 senior members and 5 cadets with 4 more Illinois kids joining. Klees said they may choose to stay a Cadet until they are 21 or they can, at 18, decide to be a Senior Member.
Klees, 20 years a Navy Man lives south of Stronghurst and grew up in Burlington, IA near the Burlington airport.
Meetings are held each Tuesday evening from 6:30-8:30 p.m. year around.
For more information, contact Major Paul Klees at 319-572-4284 or stop by during one of their Tuesday night meetings in their smaller building, on the south side of the Burlington airport terminal.
Included here are pictures of Fisher Potts during encampment and several photos of Klees and Potts as they work on various projects.
Deputy Commander of Burlington CAP Squadron is Paul Klees of Stronghurst who thoroughly loves helping the youth succeed.
Major Paul M. Klees of Stronghurst, Burlington, IA Civil Air Patrol Squadron Deputy Commander, recognizes Cadet Fisher Potts, 13, of Biggsville for graduating the Iowa Wing Encampment at Camp Dodge Military Base in Johnston in mid-June, after a great week of light military "boot camp" experiences for 12-18 year olds.