CAP In today's Paper

[abysmal]

http://www.havasunews.com/articles/2005/04/06/news/news02.txt

A small corps of volunteer pilots and observers flew their planes over the Colorado River during a two days of exercises last month, in preparation for possible local or national disasters, according to an organization spokesman.

The Civil Air Patrol exercise brought planes from Glendale, Goodyear and Tucson to the Lake Havasu City Municipal Airport where they flew missions over Lake Havasu City and Bullhead City, said Leah Wennig, first lieutenant for London Bridge Composite Squadron 501.

Four planes flew 13 exercise missions - for practice, and to accomplish Homeland Security assignments, she said.

Wennig said the Civil Air Patrol is a nationwide volunteer force, and a federally chartered auxiliary of the United States Air Force. The focus was on Emergency Services including search and rescue, disaster relief and civil defense, she said.


CAP covers every state plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. It is divided into eight geographical regions and 52 wings, and has pilots, non-pilot observers, ground team members, and cadets - 12- to 18-year-olds who are in training.

"Civil Air Patrol began in World War II. It's Air Force funded, but civilian volunteers perform for no compensation. All planes are Cessna-182s - red white and blue. The Air Force buys them. In New York after 9/11, CAP was the first aircraft allowed to fly around the (World Trade Center) towers," she said.

According to CAP Maj. George Molitor, March exercises were divided between homeland security tasks, and normal search-and-rescue operations, which are about 90 percent of CAP's work.

"Every airplane carries an emergency-locating transmitter in the rear. It sends out signals in case the plane goes down. ELT batteries were scattered in hard-to-find areas. Practice entailed finding them and radioing instructions to ground crews," he said.

Wennig said other planes took pictures for homeland security purposes, a task which has loomed large since the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

"They took pictures of Laughlin casinos and the riverside beaches - roofs and waterfront," she said. "We photograph freeway exits, power plants, ditches, airports - things that could be attacked.

"Pictures must be taken from a north direction at a 45-degree angle - so there are shadows to measure," she said.

According to Wennig, CAP also flies disaster relief missions - mostly surveillance; Red Cross blood/tissue missions, transporting blood to disaster areas; state and local government missions; and cadet and ROTC orientation. Search-and-rescue training is offered for anyone wishing to participate as pilots, aerial observers or ground teams, she said.

Cadet training is held every Monday evening for boys and girls ages 12-18. There is no qualification except an interest in flying. Cadets get to ride eight times in the front of the plane and eight times in the rear, study survival skills and drill. They are members of CAP - if they choose to enter the Air Force, they receive $500 more per month, and are not considered recruits.

"They are the most fantastic kids you'll ever meet. They know why they are there. We do not tolerate class clowns, or people pushing others around," Wennig said.

For more information, or for membership information, call Molitor at 453-4052, or Russ Sturgeon at 453-4481. The cadet program accepts both males and females 12-18. Those interested in working with cadets are asked to call one of the membership phone numbers.

[elkorona]

Was that from the SAREX I was pulling Obs/Scanner duty in one of the planes?

[abysmal]

Was that from the SAREX I was pulling Obs/Scanner duty in one of the planes?

The very same one.

[elkorona]

Was that from the SAREX I was pulling Obs/Scanner duty in one of the planes?

The very same one.

Awesome!