CTWG LISP - just curious

[Eclipse]

On a few occasions CTWG's LISP (Long Island Sound Patrol) program has been offhandedly mentioned or referred to.

I'm curious how that program has been working out and what the source of funding is.

[EMT-83]

LISP calls for patrols of Long Island Sound on weekends, roughly from Memorial Day to Labor Day. There are generally two 3-hour sorties on Saturday and Sunday, with additional flights on holidays. The scheduling is assigned to three hub squadrons (east, central and west), who are responsible for getting air crews from the squadrons near them.

There are specific waypoints which define the patrol area, but minor deviations are permitted.  Crews communicate with the Coast Guard, for regular check-ins and status reports. We occasionally coordinate with CG AirAux flights patrolling the same area. We get an occasional ELT mission when air crews hear something in the area.

The program is working well, on several levels. There have been a few incidents of boaters in distress being located (including one that was on fire) and suspected sources of pollution being observed and reported. It puts us in front of the Coast Guard on a regular basis, so they definitely know about CAP.

There was a definite home-team advantage when flying damage assessment flights after the recent hurricanes, because crews knew the coastline very well. Most importantly, in my opinion, is the amount of funded flying made available. A good part of our air crew initial training and requalification training is done on LISP.

Funding is through Connecticut HLS, although they are very slow to pay the bills.

[Eclipse]

Danke.

[Alaric]

LISP calls for patrols of Long Island Sound on weekends, roughly from Memorial Day to Labor Day. There are generally two 3-hour sorties on Saturday and Sunday, with additional flights on holidays. The scheduling is assigned to three hub squadrons (east, central and west), who are responsible for getting air crews from the squadrons near them.

There are specific waypoints which define the patrol area, but minor deviations are permitted.  Crews communicate with the Coast Guard, for regular check-ins and status reports. We occasionally coordinate with CG AirAux flights patrolling the same area. We get an occasional ELT mission when air crews hear something in the area.

The program is working well, on several levels. There have been a few incidents of boaters in distress being located (including one that was on fire) and suspected sources of pollution being observed and reported. It puts us in front of the Coast Guard on a regular basis, so they definitely know about CAP.

There was a definite home-team advantage when flying damage assessment flights after the recent hurricanes, because crews knew the coastline very well. Most importantly, in my opinion, is the amount of funded flying made available. A good part of our air crew initial training and requalification training is done on LISP.

Funding is through Connecticut HLS, although they are very slow to pay the bills.

  Of course do to screw ups CT flew very little during looking glass