Nebraska Wing Holds Communications Training, Certifies 15
Jan. 18, 2025 – Ashland, Neb. – On Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, Nebraska Wing conducted its first communications training of the year, facilitated by Lt. Col. Dan Kirwan, Nebraska Wing communications training officer; Maj. William Opocensky, Nebraska Wing message center station operator; and Lt. Col. Gary Gross, Nebraska Wing director of cadet programs.
The training focused on the Mission Radio Operator (MRO) specialty for members pre-qualified with the Introductory Communications User Training (ICUT), certifying 15 MROs for the wing. Cadets and senior members from Omaha Composite, 155th Composite, and Capital City Flight braved bitterly cold temperatures at Camp Ashland for the day-long event, which began at 8 a.m.
The morning session covered Civil Air Patrol (CAP) rules and regulations, CAP communications systems, radio operations and operator responsibilities, radio procedures, message protocols, and best practices, emphasizing the basic mission to “get the message through.”
In the afternoon, attendees discussed call signs, ReadyOp before engaging in a tabletop exercise simulating air and ground teams communicating with mission base. Participants gained hands-on experience with the Motorola APX 400 and EF Johnson VHF HT handheld radios. During the exercise, all team members practiced completing CAP forms, including CAPF 105, CAP Radio Message Form; CAPF 110, Communications Log; and Incident Command System (ICS) Form 214, Activity Log, while using prowords and the radio operator's alphabet.
Lt. Col. Kirwan thanked Lt. Col. Gross for leading the tabletop exercise. “Without his effort, this training would not have included that element,” Kirwan said. “It served as an excellent capstone to the day.”
As a newly appointed communications training officer, Kirwan was eager to facilitate the MRO training. “Working with Maj. Opocensky, Lt. Col. Schaeffer, and Lt. Col. Hineman, we quickly identified the need for more MROs to operate our existing communications system,” he said. “We had 19 active MROs in the wing, but more than 120 members with ICUT. Many took the first step but didn’t continue with the qualification.” CAP trains radio operators to ensure readiness for local and national emergencies.
When asked what motivated him to attend, Cadet Staff Sgt. Josiah Morrison shared he wanted to become an MRO for his unit’s ground team. Morrison found the tabletop exercise to be the most memorable part. “I would most definitely recommend this training to others,” he said.
1st Lt Jerry Arnold from Capital City Flight said he participated because “as a mission pilot, I want to be as informed on comms as possible.” He found the hands-on practice most valuable, as it helped reinforce cockpit communication procedures.
Reflecting on new insights gained from the training, Cadet Master Sgt. Westley Morrison noted, “Even though one person may know what they are doing, not everyone on the radio does. This can lead to communication problems and confusion.” He valued the training, adding, “I want to teach others the proper ways to communicate over the radio so they can have the confidence to speak clearly and effectively.”
Regarding the overall training, Lt. Col. Kirwan commented, “I know I threw a lot of information at the students, but they all did very well. Once we began the tabletop exercise, there were very few corrections needed, and no serious issues at all.”
Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Pageler shared that using the radios while remembering proper procedures was the most challenging part. “In an actual situation, you need to know what information to pass on and who it needs to go to,” he said. He appreciated how the tabletop exercise reinforced effective communication procedures.
Attending as a staff member, Lt. Col. Gross praised the effectiveness of the training. “The entire training day was well put together,” he said. “I highly recommend it to anyone working on their MRO qualification. Nebraska Wing needs capable Mission Radio Operators to support communications at our Incident Command Posts or in the field. You might travel throughout the state for mission communications needs, operate from a fixed mission base, serve as an MRO in a ground team vehicle, or establish a radio relay station in the Sandhills. There are plenty of opportunities to learn and many adventures along the way.”
Kirwan encouraged attendees to continue practicing. “Operate the radio whenever possible,” he advised. “Participate in nets, missions, and exercises because you only improve with experience.”
Kirwan and his home squadron host a weekly radio net on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. CST. All radio operators with a valid call sign are welcome to check in. The North Central Region (NCR) net is also held weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 p.m. CST. The NCR net is available exclusively on ReadyOp, requiring participants to be on the platform to join. Nebraska Wing radio operators are encouraged to participate, helping to establish Nebraska as a leader in regional communications check-ins.
Looking ahead, Kirwan is eager to see increased net participation and continued improvement in communication proficiency during upcoming exercises. “There is still much to learn, but I’m confident this group will do very well,” he said.
For More Information:
Maj. Wilma Gerena, Nebraska Wing assistant public affairs officer
