Volume 7, Issue 7 “Progress through Leadership” July 2009

In This Issue
Commander’s Desk 2

Chaplain’s Corner 3

Safety Tip 4

CAP Presentation 5
at APS

LBCS 501 Pilot 6

Honored

WCS 304 Cadets 7

Group I Cadets 8
F16 Simulators

MSIP at ASU 9

SHCS 301 Cadets 10

AZWG Cadet Top 11

Honors at NM En-
campment
History Snippet 12/
13

Promotions 14

Upcoming Events 15

Office of Public Affairs

1Lt Rob Davidson Capt J. Brandon Masangcay
Wing PAO Assistant Wing PAO
WingTips Editor-in-Chief
WingTips is published monthly by the Arizona Wing · Civil Air Patrol, a private, charitable, benevolent corporation and
Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. Opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of CAP or the U.S. Air Force.
WingTips welcomes manuscripts and photographs; however, the Arizona Wing · Civil Air Patrol reserves the right to edit or
condense materials submitted and to publish articles as content warrants and space permits. Please send all
correspondence to WingTips Editor-in-Chief, Capt J. Brandon Masangcay, 150 W. Sheffield Ave, Gilbert, AZ 85233,
call 480.620.1942 or e-mail: wingtips@azwg.us
 Page 2 Volume 7, Issue 7

Wing Commander’s Desk

Col John M. Eggen
Arizona Wing

It is my pleasure to report the successful completion of the 2009 Cadet Summer Encampment. This year the
encampment was held at Marana, Arizona and hosted by the Evergreen Maintenance Center, a subsidiary of
Evergreen International Aviation, Inc. The facilities provided by Evergreen were top notch and plans have
already been made to use them next year, along with the possibility of holding a Winter Encampment.
I would like to recognize and thank Captain Marilee Taylor, Encampment Commander and her exceptional staff
of Seniors and Cadets who worked so hard to ensure this encampment was an outstanding success.
Additionally, I would like to acknowledge those cadets and one senior member who distinguished themselves by
achieving awards for outstanding performance.

2009 Encampment Staff and Awards

Senior Member Staff: Cadet Staff: Cadet Support Staff:

Capt Marilee Taylor C/Maj Laura Beck – Cadet Commander C/Maj Jonathon Johnson
Encampment Commander Officer in Charge
C/Col Matthew Bricker – Cadet Deputy Commander
Capt Jean Hurley C/2dLt Jeremy Hook
Advisor to the Commander C/Maj Serena Wedlake – Cadet Executive Office Logistics

C/Capt Corey Fields – Squadron 9 Commander C/TSgt Kenneth Silverwind

Capt Joel Cosmano
Logistics
Commandant of Cadets
C/SMSgt Katherine Andrieu – Squadron 9 1st Sergeant
C/MSgt Zachary Dieman
Capt Jeremy Cochran Logistics
C/Capt Cody Stapp – Alpha Flight Commander
Senior TAC Officer
C/SSgt Bren Blanchard – Alpha Flight Sergeant C/CMSgt Justina Wilkison
Maj Cliff Owens Admin and Medical
TAC Officer C/2Lt Kyle Corales – Bravo Flight Commander
C/MSgt Richard Drennan - Admin
1Lt Eleanor Andrieu C/CMSgt Jacob Christman – Bravo Flight Sergeant
TAC Officer C/TSgt Jacob Elledge - Admin
C/Maj Kristin Ruesch – Squadron 10 Commander
1Lt June Blanchard C/SSgt Mathew Culley - PAO
TAC Officer C/CMSgt Anthony Petonic – Squadron 9 1st Sergeant
C/TSgt Alex Fields - PAO
Lt Col Steven Rountree C/2Lt Matthew Karnes – Charlie Flight Commander
Chaplain C/1Lt Jacquelyn Taylor
C/MSgt Steven Cesare – Charlie Flight Sergeant Cadet Chaplain
1Lt Walter Prokopow
Safety Officer C/CMSgt Jacqueline Shortridge – Delta Flight C/CMSgt Alexander Patocs
Commander Cadet Chaplain
Capt Ken Smith
C/MSgt Tessa Andrascik – Delta Fligth Sergeant
Support Staff

ENS Sam Imbriale, USPHS

Medical (CAP 1Lt)

ENS Zack Smith, USPHS

Medical (CAP 2Lt)
Volume 7, Issue 7 Page 3

Fourth of July --- FREEDOM

The Fourth of July is our celebration of the adoption of the Decla-
ration of Independence. It is the day we celebrate with parades, fire-
works, barbeques, beer drinking, and in general having a good time.
Here in Arizona many in Phoenix and Tucson use this holiday as an ex-
cuse to escape to the high country where it is cooler.

Tubing down the Colorado above Yuma, fishing up by Forest

Lakes on the rim, or gambling in one of the many Indian casinos we are
prone to enjoy the freedom won for us by generations of our ancestors –
many of whom gave their lives to win that FREEDOM – from the original
battle against the King to win our Independence through the many since,
like the war of 1812, the battles of Teddy Roosevelt in Cuba, WWI (my
father), WWII (two older brothers), Korea and Nam (me both ) - to the
present battle in Afghanistan (my grandson) to preserve that freedom.

As we enjoy our many any freedoms on the great national

holiday, remember that we are the only nation in this world that has such freedom. AND, be aware that some
may be trying to change that. I used to be able to go to Mexico or Canada with only my driver’s license.
NOW, to get back into the USA I have to have a passport. Times are changing. The Second Amendment of
the US Constitution states “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed. That is being
attacked.

It is our duty now to be sure that we the keep the hard won freedom won for us by our ancestors – many at
the cost of their lives. Who paid any attention to June 6th – D-Day?

When many of our ancestors stormed Omaha Beach under relentless enemy fire and the day was saved by
US Navy destroyers scraping their keels on the bottom to destroy the cannon that the air force had missed in
their bombardment.

Enjoy your holiday. But always remember:

The Declaration of Independence:

We hold these truths to be self-evident,

That all men are created equal,
That they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable Rights,
Those among those are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
 Page 4 Volume 7, Issue 7

Safety Tip
by
Lt Col Daniel F. Myers
AZWG Safety Officer

DRINK! DRINK! DRINK! ( NOT ALCOHOL)

We’ve seen too many CAP Form 78s (mishap notification) and CAP Form 79s (mishap in-
vestigation) where a CAP member has become ill from a phenomenon known as dehydra-
tion.

Yes, we’ve talked about this before but some pearls of wisdom bear worth repeating as we
approach the mid-point of our 101 Critical Days.

Dehydration is a pronounced lack of body fluids, caused most commonly by sweating, ex-
cessive vomiting, diarrhea, or evaporation of fluids from the lungs. Signs of dehydration in-
clude extreme thirst, dark yellow to brownish urine, headache, dizziness, very dry
“cottonmouth”, difficulty in speaking coherently, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, drowsi-
ness, and fever.

Treatment for dehydration includes avoidance of energy loss and replacement of fluids and
salt. Get the victim out of a hot environment, and urge him/her to drink fluids.
Depending on the severity, and if you are uncertain about the assessment, get professional
medical help ASAP.

Some tips:

1. Drink all the water you need, even if you are not thirsty and always when thirsty. Some
experts recommend six to eight glasses per day under normal circumstances.
2. Drink water while eating. Do not skip meals.
3. Maintain good physical conditioning.
4. Dress for the environment. Light colored cotton clothing with a wide brimmed hat for ex-
tended outdoors exposure.
5. Carry light loads.
6. When endurance is going to be a problem, cut down on unnecessary talking. Ration
your water.

Do not keep your emergency water supply in plastic bottles which are subject to heat con-
tamination and or mold. Rather, use stainless steel bottles. Lots of them available on the
commercial market.

Last but not least, moderate or do not smoke tobacco products or drink alcoholic bever-
ages. These substances rob your body of needed nutrients.
Volume 7, Issue 7 Page 5

APS Retirees Learn

About CAP Mission
Article and Photo by
Lt Col A. Peter Feltz
Director of Aerospace Education

On June 12th at the APS Communications Center, Lt Col Peter Feltz gave a CAP presentation
to the retirees of APS at their regular monthly meeting. There were about 45 in attendance,
most with some military background. The presentation was well received and included a cou-
ple videos available at National Headquarters; "Performing Missions for America" and "CAP
Journal". For those interested in External presentations, there are a number of Video Presen-
tations available at the National site, http://www.capchannel.com/video. They are easily
downloadable and can be saved on your computer or CDs.

You never know when an opportunity will present itself. This lead came from one of my wife's
friends at church who knew I was a CAP member and inquired if I was interested in making a
presentation. We all should be trying to promote CAP and what we do. With Homeland Secu-
rity being foremost on most people's minds it's easy to bring it up in most of your circle of
friends, churches and other organizations. I find it easy to discuss CAP with parents who have
children and are looking for ways to help them progress. Aerospace is a real hot button with
students at schools in our neighborhood and teachers are always looking for ways to keep
their classes interesting. If you are successful at making a connection and are not willing to
make the presentation or feel uncomfortable in doing so, contact me and I will be glad to help.
 Page 6 Volume 7, Issue 7

London Bridge Composite

Squadron 501 Pilot
Receives Honor
Article and Photo by Maj George Molitor, LBCS 501

Captain Shannon Hicks (pictured left) and local Lake Havasu Pilot
Pam Rudolph were recently inducted into the "International Forest of
Friendship" in Athoson Kansas, the birthplace of Amelia Earhart.
Capt Hicks is an airman check pilot/instructor for Civil Air Patrol and
is a member of London Bridge Composite Sq 501.

Both ladies are very active pilots and long time members
of the "Rio Colorado 99's" in the Lake Havasu City/Bullhead City
area.
Volume 7, Issue 7 Page 7

Willie Composite Squadron 304

Cadets undergo
Small Arms Training
Article by C/Amn Nick Branson
Photo by 1Lt Jayne Abraham, WCS 304 PAO

Capt Kenneth Conteen of Willie Composite Squadron 304, brought seventeen cadets to
the Rio Salado Sportsmen’s Club shooting range. All Cadets participating received four
hours of safety instruction, and hands on experience firing the 22 caliber small bore rifle at
AR5 targets 50 feet away. Every cadet fired in excess of 150 bullets and earned the NRA
Marksman rating, while a handful of cadets achieved the NRA Sharpshooter rating.
 Page 8 Volume 7, Issue 7

Group I Cadets
“Fly” High and Fast
Article by Lt Col Bob Anderson, SCCS 101
Photos by 1Lt Debra Blais, TCS 105/CC

On Saturday, 6 June, cadets from Group 1 “flew” the F-16 simula-

tors at the 162nd Fighter Wing, Arizona Air National Guard, based
at Tucson International Airport. The activity was organized by
Squadron 105, and Squadrons 109 and 101 joined in the fun. The
simulators, described by one instructor pilot as “ten million dollar
video games…that don’t take quarters!”, are the same ones used
by the 162nd’s pilots. The cadets from Tucson and Nogales thor-
oughly enjoyed the experience of flying these high-tech trainers…
and the excellent food at the 162nd dining facility that capped off a
very memorable day.
Volume 7, Issue 7 Page 9

Aerospace Education
on Steroids
Article and Photos by
Lt Col Bob Anderson, SCCS 101

History was made in early one. The team compiled the

June, when members of data they had collected in
four Arizona units came their imagery analysis and
together to participate in displayed it on graphs. The
the Mars Student Imaging team then compiled a presen-
Project (MSIP) at Arizona tation that included the
State University (ASU)… graphs, THEMIS imagery,
the first CAP team ever do and other slides to summarize
so. Organized as a Group the project and the conclu-
1 activity, Squadrons 101, sions the team reached. This
105, and 109 took part and presentation was the cap-
were joined by Lt Andrieu stone of the MSIP program,
(the female chaperone) and and the team presented it to
cadets from Squadron 305, an audience of ASU space
making the CAP MSIP scientists and responded to
team a “Group 1 + 1” effort. their questions.
The Air Force Association
was a key partner in the This was a unique experience
equation, too, providing a for the cadets. Very few stu-
$250 CAP Unit Grant that dents can say they have done
helped defray s significant portion of the tures are visible on the imagery and can such “authentic” science…or actually
cadets’ food cost. provide some data with regard to wind tasked a satellite on orbit! The cadets
direction and speed and the relative age used their time wisely in the evenings, as
The 14 cadets hit the ground running. of the features. The team analyzed sev- well. They took part in aerospace educa-
The evening before the ASU program eral images from throughout the Tharsis tion activities they could take back to
started officially, the team was already Bulge region and recorded the data. their units, such as “MarsBound,” an
hard at work, discussing the geologic exercise in which teams develop a sys-
features of Mars and potential topics the Near the end of the second day and after tem (booster, payload, guidance, etc.) for
team could develop into an interesting the team had worked with existing im- space exploration. Three of the cadets
“science question” upon which they could agery, an ASU scientist helped the team who had already earned their rocketry
focus their research. They also found “target” the THEMIS image they wanted badges also served as instructors, and
time to design a team logo that repre- to obtain. The team examined the orbital as a direct result, all the other cadets
sented their unique team. predications for THEMIS coverage for passed the three written exams for their
the next few days and compared it to the rocketry badges. In addition, several of
The first day of the three-day program existing THEMIS data base. The team the cadets passed aerospace module
began with ASU instructors concentrat- specifically looked for areas that THEMIS and leadership tests, taking them closer
ing on helping the team develop its sci- had not covered, but areas which held to completing their achievements and
ence question. The team was particu- good potential for finding wind features. earning their next stripe.
larly interested in the Tharsis Bulge, that
region of Mars that contains Olympus The team found just such an area. From What is the next step? Judging from the
Mons and other volcanoes. The team the lower resolution MOLA coverage, feedback from the cadets (and parents!),
also decided that understanding more they saw an area that contained a num- the activity was a strong success. ASU
about wind patterns in that region could ber of small craters that appeared to is willing to expand the scope to do a
be important scientifically and could have have wind streaks behind them. They wing-wide MSIP team of 15-20 cadets
an impact on selection of future landing then completed the program that pro- next summer. There is some potential
sites. The specific question the team vides the engineers with the image pa- for this to evolve into a NCSA at some
developed was: How do wind patterns rameters to be loaded into the tasking point. In addition to MSIP, ASU is devel-
change within the Tharsis Bulge region? deck for the satellite. Within about three oping a similar program focusing on the
weeks, the image will be taken, down Moon…a Lunar Student Imaging Project.
The next step was to research this ques- linked, processed, and made available to LSIP could also be an interesting excur-
tion using existing imagery from the the team. With the higher resolution of sion for CAP’s budding space scientists.
Thermal Emission Imaging System the THEMIS camera (18 meters), it is In all, the participants benefited signifi-
(THEMIS) camera onboard the Odyssey quite possible the team’s image will re- cantly, and a mutually beneficial founda-
spacecraft that is orbiting Mars. The veal details of Mars’ surface that have tion has been established between ASU
team focused on wind streaks, yardangs never yet been seen. and CAP…a true win-win situation.
(deeply-etched erosion patterns), sand
dunes, and dust devil tracks. These fea- The final day of the program was a busy
 Page 10 Volume 7, Issue 7

Sky Harbor Composite

Squadron 301 Cadets Receive
History Lesson
Article and Photos by Sgt John Horne, SHCS 301 PAO

1Lt Steve Hoza, AZWG Historian briefs cadets

Sky Harbor Composite Squadron 301 cadets and seniors were given a lesson in Arizona history by 1Lt
Steve Hoza, Arizona Wing Historian. Lt Hoza told a fascinating tale about German Prisoners of War
held in a Papago Park POW camp during World War 2 who staged a daring “Great Escape” in Decem-
ber, 1944. He has written and published a book on this event, PW: First-person accounts of German
prisoners of war in Arizona, which contains this story as reported by both prisoners and guards in-
volved in the incident.

During World War 2 Arizona was the site of numerous large and small POW camps for German prison-
ers of war. Generally POWs were loosely guarded and often allowed to work outside the camp in agri-
cultural jobs to offset the labor shortage due to US soldiers away fighting in the war. Frequently POW
camps were limited to members of one branch of the German military to prevent friction between differ-
ent service groups. The POW camp at Papago Park on the border between Tempe and Scottsdale was
populated largely with U-Boat sailors. Between September and December, 1944 prisoners dug a tunnel
178 feet long leading outside the camp. On December 23rd of that year twenty five prisoners escaped
through the tunnel. Three of them had built a small collapsible boat based on a blue line representing
the Gila River that they had seen on a map. Unfortunately upon arrival at the Gila they found it was dry
as any local resident could have told them at the time. These three prisoners lost heart at the sight of
the dry riverbed and gave up to local authorities. Over the next few days various escapees surrendered
or were caught. Most never got much further than the Phoenix area. However, several men actually
hiked to within 30 miles of the Mexican border before being captured. On January 8th only six of the
original twenty five escapees were still at large. Capt Jurgen Wattenberg, a captured U-Boat captain,
and two crewmen hid in a cave in the Arizona desert. One crewman was later captured sneaking back
into the POW camp and another was taken while trying to pick up some food that had been left for him.
The last escapee, Capt Wattenberg, held out for over a month before he was retaken asking directions
after sleeping in the lobby of a Phoenix hotel finally ending the Arizona “Great Escape”.

Lt Hoza included many stories from first hand interviews he had done with guards and escapees in-
volved in the incident. Cadets and senior members of SHCS 301 were surprised to learn that the Phoe-
nix area was the site of such a large German POW camp. Powerpoint slides of the individuals involved
in the event helped to bring this exciting tale of escape and recapture to life.
Volume 7, Issue 7 Page 11

Arizona Wing Cadet takes

Top Honors at New Mexico
Wing Encampment
Article and Photos by Lt Col Michael Daly, SF103

C/SrA Dalton Bachant

Three cadets from the local Civil Air Patrol unit recently completed a week of training at the New
Mexico Wing, Civil Air Patrol summer encampment held at the Army National Guard Headquarters in
Santa Fe, New Mexico. Cadet 2Lt Marissa Peasnall, Cadet Senior Airman Dalton Bachant, and Cadet
Senior Airman Kevin Schulz were three of four Arizona cadets participating in a week of military drill,
class room instruction, Drug Demand Reduction training, team building, a day on the confidence course,
introduction to the military weapons simulator, a short ride in a Humvee rollover simulator, and many
other activities designed to complete the mandated course requirements for graduation. Cadet 2Lt Ma-
rissa Peasnall served in the cadet staff position of Executive Officer. Her duties involved close interac-
tion with the encampment command staff to accomplish the many behind the scene activities that were
necessary for the encampment to be successful. An interview with the Encampment Commander, Major
Donna Bracken yielded high praise for Cadet Peasnall in the execution of her duties. Both Cadets
Bachant and Schulz were attending their first encampment as encampment candidates. The successful
completion of the encampment is a requirement for advancement to cadet officer rank and a prerequi-
site if either wish to return to a later encampment as a member of the encampment staff, a very prestig-
ious and trusted position.
Events leading up to the final day of encampment culminated in an awards ceremony and cadet
pass and review. On hand for the event were parents, relatives, the National Guard Commander, and
Command Sergeant Major for New Mexico, New Mexico Civil Air Patrol Wing Commander, as well as a
representative from the office of Senator Udall. During the awards ceremony. Cadet Senior Airman Dal-
ton Bachant received one of four top honors with the receipt of the "Warrior Award". Cadets were judged
on a wide criteria that included but were not limited to, attitude, willingness to help others, dormitory ar-
rangement, wear of the uniform, drill and ceremonies, and general esprit de corp. The competition for
the four top awards was very competitive and extremely close in the final tally. The award was pre-
sented to Cadet Bachant by the New Mexico Army National Guard Command Sergeant Major.

C/SrA Kevin Schultz C/2Lt Marissa Peasnall

 Page 12
Was it really murder, a case of reck-
less flying or just a tragic accident
due to the stress of accelerated war-
time aviation training? This bizarre-
but-true story is almost unknown in
the annals of Arizona history. But
first, some background to the story.
During the Second World
War, Arizona trained more aviation
personnel than any other state. With
its almost year-round flying weather
and vast stretches of relatively flat,
unpopulated land, it was the ideal
location to train the pilots and air-
crew that would fight the war in the
skies of the European and Pacific
Theaters of war.
Arizona had some of the
largest bases of its kind in the coun-
try (and the world). Marana Army Air
Field near Tucson was the largest
basic flying school in the world. The
schools operated by Southwest Air-
ways (Thunderbird I, II, Falcon Field
and the Sky Harbor Cargo Division)
trained more pilots, flew more miles
and logged more hours than any
other single aviation training facility
in the country. Kingman Army Air
Field graduated more aerial gunners
than the population of Phoenix at
the time (over 33,000).
Aviation training during the
war was stressful and dangerous. It
was greatly accelerated from the
kinds of training a pilot (military or
civilian) would receive in peacetime.
Young men and women, some not
even twenty years old, were flying
the most modern bombers, transport
aircraft and fighter planes in the
world. Many saw themselves as the
elite. The uniform was romantic.
Everyone strove to be a pilot. Many
believed they were indestructible.
Because of this hurry-up
History Snippet
By
1Lt Steve Hoza
AZWG Historian
training regimen, fatal accidents
were all-too common. In the conti-
nental United States between De-
cember 1941 and September 1945,
nearly 15,000 men and women
were killed in aviation training acci-
dents. Wartime readers of newspa-
pers such as The Arizona Republic
saw headlines weekly that reported
such mishaps. But many readers of
the Republic were astonished to
read the front-page headline on the
morning of June 23, 1944:
Airplane Kills Man At Wheel of
Automobile
Luke Army Air Field (today
Luke Air Force Base) lay to the west
of Phoenix, near the base of the
White Tank Mountains. During the
war, it was the largest single-engine
military flight school in the nation. It
had two sub-bases and eight auxil-
iary landing fields. In 1944, cadets
trained in the North American AT-6,
then transitioned to single-engine
fighters at the base.
On the evening of June 22,
1944, just as the sun was about to
disappear below the horizon, motor-
ists traveling along Highway 60 be-
tween Wickenburg and Phoenix
were startled to see an AT-6 from
Luke Field flying down the center of
the road, its landing gear extended,
scarcely six feet above the pave-
ment. Investigators would later find
cut marks in the asphalt where the
propeller had struck the ground.
Several cars swerved to avoid a
collision with the aircraft. One auto-
mobile was not as fortunate.
The left wing tip of the plane
struck a car driven by 67-year-old
Earl Nepple, killing him instantly.
Volume 7, Issue 7
The aircraft, with its left wing tip
missing, managed to make it back
to Luke Field. Nepple’s son, Rich-
ard, who was in training in the army
in Mississippi at the time, said in a
2005 interview what his mother
Marie had told him of the accident:
[When I first saw her] she
was pretty much still in a state of
shock. She said that they were go-
ing along the highway from Wicken-
burg going into Phoenix to visit
friends over in Apache Junction on
their way back to Los Angeles. They
had taken the Wickenburg Highway
into Phoenix. All of a sudden, there
was this plane coming towards
them. My dad said ‘Oh, God!’ and
he swung the wheel to the right just
in time to get the car over far
enough so that the wing tip went
through the windshield right in front
of him but missed my mother who
was sitting on the other side of the
seat. A hitchhiker who they had
picked up previously was in the
back seat and he was not injured.
But dad was killed instantly. The car
went out across the desert and my
mother didn’t know how to drive so
the hitchhiker they had picked up
told her to put her foot on the
brakes. So she reached over and
put her foot on the brake and
brought the car to a stop. It was
quite a ways out in the desert by
that time. They got out of the car
and mom went to help dad and the
hitchhiker told her ‘Don’t do any-
thing. He’d dead.’ So then they
walked to the highway, both cov-
ered with blood, and tried to hail
down cars and many cars went by.
They were out there an hour or two
trying to get a car to stop.
Continued on next page
Volume 7, Issue 7 Page
Page
1313

Continued from previous page der charge resulted from a fatality aircraft around him while flying in
involving US Army Air Force aircraft. formation.
The pilot of the plane, Second Lieu- The trial was held at Marana Army Richard Nepple voices many
tenant Howard Stittsworth, and the Air Field just north of Tucson, Ari- of the sentiments of the court martial
passenger, Second Lieutenant Dean zona. Stittsworth was sentenced to board:
Fundingsland, were immediately ar- life at hard labor.
rested and ordered to stand trial in In a separate trial held a few I think he [Stittsworth] knew what he
Nepple’s death, “in violation of flying days before Stittsworth’s, Fundings- was doing. He was buzzing the high-
regulations.” Both were flight instruc- land was found guilty of “permitting way and he saw the car in front of
tors at Luke. willful neglect and damage to gov- him. He thought he was going to
ernment property and violation of frighten the driver into going off the
flying regulations.” He was dismissed road and he didn’t have enough
from the service. sense to pull up. All he had to do
The mission for the two fliers was pull up just a little bit and avoid
on that fateful day was a routine the thing. I think he thought he was
flight to check auxiliary field lighting going to frighten the driver into run-
equipment prior to night flights ning off the road. That’s my personal
scheduled for cadets at the field. At opinion. So I don’t have much sym-
his trial, Stittsworth claimed that he, pathy for him.
after taking off from an auxiliary field
Earl Nepple in a photograph taken approximately
to the north of the highway, had trou- These feelings were not felt
seven months before his death ble retracting the landing gear and by all. After the verdicts were handed
had no idea that he was flying so down, a petition began to circulate in
low. He also stated that the setting Phoenix protesting the outcome of
Justice was swifter some 60
sun was in his eyes. Fundingsland, the trials. The petition, signed by
years ago. The trials of both men
in the back seat of the aircraft at the more than 1,300 residents, was sent
were set up only one day after the
time, also testified that it appeared to President Franklin Roosevelt in
accident. A coroner’s jury in Wicken-
that Stittsworth was having trouble the hope of getting Stittsworth re-
burg heard testimony from the two
with the gear knob. He said that, at leased, or at least his sentence re-
survivors in the car, plus other wit-
one point, he had hunched low in the duced.
nesses on the road. They returned a
cockpit, apparently trying to work the On November 18, 1944,
verdict of “death in his car by an air-
knob. They both believed that they President Roosevelt did commute Lt.
plane.” Army Air Force officers that
had struck a cactus. Stittsworth’s life sentence to three
would comprise the judicial boards in
years at hard labor at Fort Leaven-
the two trials were summoned from
[Note: The author has flown an AT-6 worth, Kansas. After his release, he
bases in Arizona, New Mexico and
from the front seat, and the gear re- worked in the aerospace industry in
California. Both trials were held
tract lever is on the bottom left of the California until his death from cancer
within one month of the accident.
cockpit floor. In order to raise the in 1989. The government gave Mrs.
Richard Nepple and his sis-
landing gear, one has to momentarily Marie Nepple 5,000 dollars compen-
ter attended both trials:
lean forward, down and to the left in sation for her husband’s death. The
order to pull the knob, thus temporar- hitchhiker, George King, received
The mother of one of them wrote to
ily losing the line of sight out of the 2,000 dollars. Mrs. Nepple would
my mother and asked her to ask for
forward cockpit window.] later suffer a nervous breakdown
leniency for her son. My mother re-
from the incident.
plied. She was quite upset to receive
Despite this testimony,
such a letter. She was a mother her-
Stittsworth was convicted based
self, of course. She replied that she
largely on the evidence of having
had nothing to do with that, whether
“buzzed” the highway (i.e. clipped
they received leniency or not.
propeller blade tips, photographs of
gouges in the pavement). Stittsworth
In a trial lasting only two
had also been reprimanded before
days, Stittsworth was convicted of
for reckless flying. Fellow student
murder in the death of Nepple. Offi-
pilots and instructors noted on sev-
cers of the court were quoted in the
eral occasions that he had demon-
press that they believed that this was
strated dangerous and reckless ma- A news photograph taken at the trial of Howard
a case without precedent in the legal Stittsworth at Marana Army Air Field.
neuvers. One report said that Stitts-
history of the air forces, that a mur-
worth liked to try to clip the wings of
 Page 14 Volume 7, Issue 7

Arizona Wing
Promotions and Awards

Jason B. Brookham, Sq. 304

Nikolas A. Dowling, Sq. 304

Alethia E. Patocs, Sq. 302
Dustin Kopp, Sq. 501

Michael C. Blanchard, sq. 304

George T. Jones, Sq. 304

Logan M. Shamoon, Sq. 304 Zachary Dieman, Sq. 302

Tanner C. Matheny, Sq. 302

Billy Mitchell, Sq. 501

Daniel Pida, Sq. 501

Edgar Magana, Sq. 101

David Robledo, Sq. 101

Charles Massey, Sq. 501 Anthony J. Costabile, Sq. 302

Cody Staff, Sq. 501

Michael Dewett, Sq. 501
Patrick A. Feeney, Sq. 302
Sebastian C. Shehi, Sq. 302

Courtney Murphy, Sq. 501

Volume 7, Issue 7 Page 15

Upcoming Events
July 2009
1 2 3 4
Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Sq 304 AZWG HQ
[06:30 PM-09:30 Holiday
PM] Squadron
304 Meeting

5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Sq 305 Sq 304
[06:30-09:00] Sq. [06:30 PM-09:30
305 Meeting PM] Squadron
304 Meeting

12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Sq 305 Sq 304 AZWG HQ

[06:30-09:00] Sq. [06:30 PM-09:30 [09:00 AM-
305 Meeting PM] Squadron 11:30 AM] AZ
304 Meeting Wing Staff meet-
ing

19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Sq 305 Sq 304 AZWG HQ

[06:30-09:00] Sq. [06:30 PM-09:30 AZ Wing OPEX
305 Meeting PM] Squadron
304 Meeting

26 27 28 29 30 31
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

AZWG HQ Sq 305 Sq 304 Sq 305

Sqn 308 SUI Work- [06:30-09:00] Sq. [06:30 PM-09:30 FTX
sheet due 305 Meeting PM] Squadron
304 Meeting