Nail on the head for all of the above.But don't get discouraged.The future of non-aircrew folks on the ground is ____ . Sorry, but I am not allowed to speak it in this forum at present. National will soon. Its all good news for the future of non-aircrew members.
However, I am strictly speaking Ground Team Member.
I'd rather see "Ground Teams" retooled basically like this:1. GTM Basic- Eliminate antiquated GTM3/UDF tasks by incorporating NASAR SARTECH Level III to fill the gaps in current GTM3/UDF tasks, add CERT or PODS requirement, require first aid currency (this would be broadest in scope and tooled to cover DR missions)2. GTM Advanced- GTM Basic, eliminate antiquated GTM2 and GTM1 tasks incorporate NASAR SARTECH Level II, require CPR/AED currency 3. GTL- All of the above, add IS-5, IS-26, NASAR SARTECH Level I to fill the gaps, require both CERT and PODS
Anyone bothered to send a survey out to the GTMs?Because I sure haven't seen a survey, and I'm more than happy to contribute towards a modern curriculum.
Quote from: Holding Pattern on March 11, 2019, 06:54:47 PMAnyone bothered to send a survey out to the GTMs?Because I sure haven't seen a survey, and I'm more than happy to contribute towards a modern curriculum.Would be a great idea.Another note: The vast majority of CAP "saves" recently are from the Cell Phone and Radar Forensics Teams, who find the areas to search, and pass that info along to "local authorities /first responders" to go make the find. I haven't seen any reports (might be a couple?) of the Forensics Teams sending the info to a local CAP unit to make the find.Its the new CAP. We are evolving.
The new CAP feels a lot like the old one .... few missions.
The new CAP feels a lot like the old one. Lots of rumors, few missions, plenty of politics.
Quote from: Holding Pattern on March 11, 2019, 07:21:44 PMThe new CAP feels a lot like the old one .... few missions.Put the buggy whips behind us, find our new place in the world, and the new CAP will be here for our grandkids. I'm optimistic.
BTW, while NHQ was out mailing STEM kits, this became a thing.http://www.gofordrones.com/TL:DR There's already an Uber for UAVs.
Quote from: Eclipse on March 11, 2019, 08:19:43 PMBTW, while NHQ was out mailing STEM kits, this became a thing.http://www.gofordrones.com/TL:DR There's already an Uber for UAVs.No; it didn't, and no; there isn't.https://www.alexcornell.com/gofor-drones-on-demand/
CAP ground teams don't have to go away if we don't want them to. They still have their place and as far as I am concerned, will always have a place. Sure, it may be limited compared to the way it was for me over the past 32 years, but a lot of it has to do with your operating location. Someone mentioned "DC" as an area that wouldn't need a capable ground team at the ready. Well, I spent 15+ years in DCWG and we went on more missions than most wings during that time. I went on several missing person searches, a half dozen missing aircraft missions, about 100 non-distress ELTs/EPIRBs, and a few odds and ends. Why? Because DCWG was called all the time for missions in Virginia, Maryland, and even in DC proper.An Ohio ground team was just praised for their efforts on a missing person search that ultimately turned into a "FIND" of a deceased person. And yes, that team was mostly cadets.People will ALWAYS go missing and CAP aircrews will always be called, but aircrews can't always launch, no matter how free "old geezers" are to respond a moment's notice. Furthermore, no non-CAP ground teams should be better at ground-to-air coordination than CAP ground teams. When a CAP aircraft is in the air directing ground teams to a search location or possible "tallyho" there should not be a team better at communicating and coordinating with that aircrew than CAP.In Virginia there are dozens of volunteer SAR teams. They're just as goofy, just as old, just as willing, and no different in their capabilities than CAP. The only difference is we have cadets and the cadets I've led on ground teams weren't "whomever was home and available", they were trained, mature, and capable of meeting, but mostly exceeding, other SAR team's collective skills brought to the table. I had cadets teaching at multiple region level SAR training events, so anyone who snubs their noses at cadets effectively serving on ground teams because "it's an adult's game" clearly haven't ventured beyond their small circle.Bottom line: sure, we need to evolve a little. We need to modify "our way" (maybe our TTPs) to be more inline with national standards (I thought we did that already), and we need to ensure everyone involved is both physically and emotionally mature enough to bring something to the table. Lastly, we need to market ourselves. No one is going to call us if they don't know who we are and our capabilities."Hey, let's call CAP and get their aircraft involved. And ask for a ground team or two, too. Those chaps are pretty good at this whole SAR thing."Yeah, it happens, and there's no reason it has to stop happening.Just because it's not happening in your zip code, doesn't mean it's not happening in others.