SECOND: The date Tennessee Wing Commander James Rushing decided to submit the After Action Report (23 Days Late! See the emails of Vice Commander Bill Lane scurrying to find what he could to put in the report - too little, too late!)
After reading the Tennessee Wing Commander's (Col. Jim Rushing) After Action Report (most likely written by Tennessee Wing Vice Commander (Lt. Col. Bill Lane (see him scurrying to find out where to find information and how to read it in the link before this article), one can only consider the following truthful information and the questions it raises:
Although signed by Col. Rushing, he doesn't have the knowledge, skills or awareness to have written it. Most likely it is Lt. Col. Bill Lane's after action report back to CAP-SELR/LG for the grounding of 9987H and the write ups on 905CP.
No one can fault the exceedingly long time that 9987H has been grounded. CAP personnel, especially unsuspecting cadets, have been safer because of it. (9987H is the famous "Two-PIC" airplane. When I first requested that Col. Rushing provide it for our 2-PIC demonstration (see invitation to attend below) and he denied my request, I thought him to be simply uncooperative. Although that is his temperment, I've concluded he simply couldn't get the grounded and un-airworthy airplane over to M-54 (Lebanon, TN airport) for the demonstration. Maybe he'll get the airplane flying in time to offer it for the March 11 demonstration.
Disingenuous I believe is the "courteous" word for telling stories that would earn a school boy a spanking. The truth is that 9987H was not in
for its 100 hr inspection when it plane was inspected by the Air Force
inspectors. It was not until after this inspection that D. Kilborne knew this
plane was out of 100 hr inspection
But it is a widely known fact that Doug Wright had spent some time with this guy going over everything with him. Doug Wright was great maintenance officer. However Kilborne still does not know his job, which may be why he was selected: Wing saves money when they say an aircraft was maintained and it in fact was not. Thus, Kilborne makes a great Group aircraft maintenance officer for any aircraft.
Since 9987H was not in the shop as Bill Lane was saying, someone could have got hurt flying this junk around. Not only the aircrew but the trusting Cadets riding with them, and the innocent citizens on the ground as they impacted them and their property.
Again these Tennessee Wing guys just do not get it. If Kilborne can not read or add why have a maintenance officer? Here is an answer hinted at above: TNWG/VC Bill Lane loves this guy because they compliment each other. Federal, State, and CAP funds aren't spent... and least on what they are earmarked for.
You have to feel for D. Kilborne. And ask the question: "Why was this guy sent to Mississippi when the Wing and National knew he was not a "MISSION PILOT". From sources in Mississippi, Kilborne had screwed up the first mission for which he was named as PIC (Pilot In Command) and he never flew again in Mississippi after the Incident Commander had a "heart to heart" with him. No wonder FEMA told the Civil Air Patrol to get out and leave the real mission to the military.
A long list of Service Bulletins that have not been accomplish on each of these aircraft are available, provided by a NON-CAP member.
Don't you have to ask the question: "If a non member can find them
The answer is back to TNWG/VC Bill Lane's running the program as its always been run.
This is all redundant to the material presented above, any way because as the CAP budget is being reduced by 15%, and more by congress, and more by individual states, and more by previous contributor and funding agencies, it is well known from CAP National Headquarters tht they are selling off their aircraft not because of them getting new ones but because they don't have the money.
Tennessee is at the top of the list for cut backs and loosing aircraft allocations because of their accident rate and lack of flying. At this time (20FEB06) they are running 60% behind of their goal of 2000 hrs annually for 10 aircraft.
Cadets are becoming disillusioned because once again they are not getting their promised 10 hours of Cadet Orientation flight time, on the one hand, and on the other hand they, and their parents, are relieved because with the aircraft grounded, the children are safe.
Tennessee Wing Commander Jim Rushing is looking for ways to by-pass the 1st AF and National through the State Homeland Security to increase the wing's flying. "O" flights will reduced greatly here too. Why would the Secretary of Homeland Security look to the CAP for anything after the embarrasment known as "Bold Tiger". Civil Air Patrol is the a source of humor in that office.
Tennessee Wing's new secretary is walking away from her job since National is paying for her salary. With the cuts from the Air Force the Civil Air Patrol is cutting all State Wing secretaries back to part time. Tennessee's current person needs to work full time. The state is no longer paying her salary since the last budget meeting in June, when Col. Rushing was caught in mis-statements, dissembling, creative story telling, fabricating and prevaricating.
The next Tennessee State Budget Meeting will be met with more information from Tennessee tax payers and former CAP members who have tried to stop Tennessee's wasteful spending (A Wing Secretary who worked 10 hours a day for only 4 days a week, requiring a new hire with hospitalization, health care, and retirement benefits to cover that important 5th day. Additionally, it looks as if the Tennessee CAP grant money again to zero.
But the best is yet to come ... Stay Tuned!
