New CAP Model

[ZigZag911]

But, does it really matter what CAP formally considers an "operational" unit?

Only for those squadron CCs that dream of being Horatio Hornblower or Jack Aubrey, sailing their unit off on independent duty, free from those silly old fogies at the Admiralty....um, I mean, Wing!

[lordmonar]

Would you guys argue that CP or AE happens anywhere but the squadrons?

CP:  Encampments, NCSA, CAC, COS, CNCOA, the list goes on of mandatory and semi mandatory elements of the CP that are not done at the squadron level.

AE:  External AE is often a wing/group level task.

And to continue with this sort of thread...

PD:  SLS, CLC, RSC, NSC, TLC, UCC....all done at the group or higher level.

But now we are splitting hairs....we have three mission....but only one of those missions is an "operational" mission.  The others are all training/education mission.

That is why when you go to look for ES stuff on CAP.GOV you find it under OPERATIONS. 

[LTC_Gadget]

But, does it really matter what CAP formally considers an "operational" unit?

Aye, there's the rub.  I thought I had a pretty good take on the point.  But, after reading several of the responses that followed, it seemed that several of them bore equally compelling 'arguments' for their point and their perspective.  Several of them seemed, even to me, to be at least 'a little bit right.'  It occurs to me that it became more about semantics, and that we're all maybe saying basically the same thing? 

The definition of miscommunications: "I know you believe that you understand what you think that I said.  But what I'm not sure you realize is that what you heard is not what I meant."   

Regards,

[Ricochet13]

Actually, our squadrons are NOT operational units.  We deploy individuals, not squadrons.  Our squadrons are really "Training Centers" to be totally accurate.

Whenever there is a mission, the Wing appoints a task force commander (called an incident commander) from a list of qualified persons.  The IC forms a task force from lists of persons qualified in ES duties, regardless of unit of assignment.  The Squadron commander is not involved, except to provide training opportunities to make sure that adequate numbers of trained persons are available to an IC.

Working to change that.  Will be deploying as a squadron for the next SAR/DR training exercise.  Will handle set-up and communications needs on the first day.

[ZigZag911]

It's a worthwhile goal to deploy as a squadron but, over long term, has proven to be unsustainable.....too complex to keep sufficient level of trained personnel, available as needed, 24/7/365!

Which is why wings/groups create a 'task force' for each individual mission.