CAP Ground Homeland Security Missions?

[RADIOMAN015]

Right now these type of missions are airborne related.  However, I was thinking how those of us on the ground could support Homeland Security/Defense.

I think a good program (and similiar programs) is the AF Office Of Special Investigation's  "USAF Eagle Eyes" program
http://www.osi.andrews.af.mil/eagleeyes/index.asp

General Aviation "Airport Watch" /Airport Watch Hotline.

As a start if you have a local OSI, NCIS, or CID detachment close to your squadron (over even if not so close) consider reaching out to them for getting a briefing on the various programs that from a ground prospective CAP might be able to help out with.

Personally I think it is very easy to "Patrol" on your way home from work/to work, especially if you are going by airport approach/depature zones, or even next to security fence lines for high value targets such as electric plants, gas tanks/LPG storage, water treatment plants, etc. 

This of course would be a "volunteer" basis, likely without a mission number, but perhaps some ground observation missions could be performed.  (I guess one has to split hairs to define the difference between "observation" & "

Another aspect could be CAP assisting with determining how well security is at a particular site etc.  Those of you that read Richard Marcinko's book "Rouge Warrior" could see the extreme that the USN took to evaluate security.  There's nothing to say that CAP couldn't help  military & civilian evaluators with these evaluations.

As usual comments are welcomed (need I ask?)
RM   

[RiverAux]

Another aspect could be CAP assisting with determining how well security is at a particular site etc.  Those of you that read Richard Marcinko's book "Rouge Warrior" could see the extreme that the USN took to evaluate security.  There's nothing to say that CAP couldn't help  military & civilian evaluators with these evaluations.

I think I may have proposed on this board before something along these lines...giving CAP members additional training on GA airport security issues and then offering to do security "audits" at small GA airports.  While outside our AF mission, I think it would fall within our congressional mandate to "foster civil aviation in local communities". 

However, keep in mind the last time CAP was involved in a similar program (Operation Drop In), it was a public relations disaster for us with the GA community. 

[ol'fido]

Let's leave the law enforcement missions to the law enforcement types. Not saying that you couldn't do this as a private citizen but....

[Gunner C]

I'd be very careful about working with AFOSI - anytime they show up, AF folks get the heebie jeebies.  Any partnership with them could cause a great deal of mistrust with our AF partners.

[Flying Pig]

Another aspect could be CAP assisting with determining how well security is at a particular site etc.  Those of you that read Richard Marcinko's book "Rouge Warrior" could see the extreme that the USN took to evaluate security.  There's nothing to say that CAP couldn't help  military & civilian evaluators with these evaluations.


Oh no.  You didnt just bring up Rogue Warrior  There are significant risks involved with testing military security.  You could really get yourself shot.  I can tell you that I have been a participant in many security tests, none of which ever involved someone actually trying to penetrate areas where Deadly Force was authorized.  Reason being, creating a situation that causes a young Marine Security Guard to hesitate thinking, "well, last time I was confronted, it was a drill" isnt a good idea.  Sorry RM, it doesn't happen. In fact, I was told repeatedly be superiors that we would never be placed in a scenario where a drill could be mis- represented as the real thing.
In addition to that, having some random civilian try and climb over the fence isnt how those tests are done.  Those tests are conducted by people who are specifically trained to test certain aspects.   In addition, and I wont go into it on a blog, but many of those facilities are designed to kill you long before you even get close.  Having security personnel stick a rifle in your face is usually the last line of defense.
Getting CAP members involved in probing security sites is something I dont think we need to be involved in.  As far as us patrolling airports? Again, just being a vigilant civilian pilot is pretty good.  I dont want to see us flying into airports jacking up fellow pilots.  All bad ideas as far as Im concerned. 

The only part of your post I agree with is getting with your local military or civilian law enforcement to see about a briefing on local threats.  Beyond that, I think your quickly driving out of your lane.

[Flying Pig]

I'd be very careful about working with AFOSI - anytime they show up, AF folks get the heebie jeebies.  Any partnership with them could cause a great deal of mistrust with our AF partners.

I think "mistrust" is a pretty harsh term.  As a Marine I talked with NIS (now NCIS) many times.  Your only afraid of the cops when you have something to be afraid of.  I just don't really see any need for CAP to be partnered with OSI, CID or NCIS.
But to suggest that they are mistrusted within the ranks is uncalled for.

[RADIOMAN015]

Another aspect could be CAP assisting with determining how well security is at a particular site etc.  Those of you that read Richard Marcinko's book "Rouge Warrior" could see the extreme that the USN took to evaluate security.  There's nothing to say that CAP couldn't help  military & civilian evaluators with these evaluations.


Oh no.  You didnt just bring up Rogue Warrior  There are significant risks involved with testing military security.  You could really get yourself shot.  I can tell you that I have been a participant in many security tests, none of which ever involved someone actually trying to penetrate areas where Deadly Force was authorized.  Reason being, creating a situation that causes a young Marine Security Guard to hesitate thinking, "well, last time I was confronted, it was a drill" isnt a good idea.  Sorry RM, it doesn't happen. In fact, I was told repeatedly be superiors that we would never be placed in a scenario where a drill could be mis- represented as the real thing.

You must have misunderstood something here.  CAP works ONLY  in conjunction with the security forces to participate in  training exercises.  Defintely not CAP cadets or senior mock attacking the base on their own   That would be crazy!   CAP at many bases acts as casualties during disaster drills, why not take it one step further   Even if the unit just offers to help in these exercise (isn't what VSAF is all about?), and the base decides they don't want to allow, this it still shows that CAP is willing to be a base player.
RM     

[RADIOMAN015]

I'd be very careful about working with AFOSI - anytime they show up, AF folks get the heebie jeebies.  Any partnership with them could cause a great deal of mistrust with our AF partners.

I think "mistrust" is a pretty harsh term.  As a Marine I talked with NIS (now NCIS) many times.  Your only afraid of the cops when you have something to be afraid of.  I just don't really see any need for CAP to be partnered with OSI, CID or NCIS.
But to suggest that they are mistrusted within the ranks is uncalled for.

AFOSI provides a briefing on the Eagles Eye Program -- No we in CAP won't be carrying Eagle Eyes Program badges or become the local official "confidential informants".  It's JUST A BRIEFING!!! It shows again that CAP members have an interest in base security & force protection issues.  Remember that at least some of you wearing the military BDU's or military blues might be mistaken for a military member!!!  That's why I'll stick with my golf shirt uniform & grey slacks

BTW OSI also wear golf shirts that say OSI & a badge in gold embroided on the shirt.  http://www.osi.andrews.af.mil/library/reserveaffairs/index.aspSo those of you who are against Golf Shirts, ya see    
RM

[ZigZag911]

CAP HLS ground missions are going to be limited in scope,,,we ought to be doing more in the way of ARM/GRM training, communications, and DR related training -- because mitigation and support is where CAP ground personnel will be needed if there is an actual HLS event: shelter management, transportation communications, MSA types, CIS....that's where we can truly be "force multipliers" on the ground, in our communities.

A number of wings here in NER have folks taking CERT....a good place to start, AND a way of forging links with the local and count ES responders....showing we're trained to THEIR standards.

[Gunner C]

Another aspect could be CAP assisting with determining how well security is at a particular site etc.  Those of you that read Richard Marcinko's book "Rouge Warrior" could see the extreme that the USN took to evaluate security.  There's nothing to say that CAP couldn't help  military & civilian evaluators with these evaluations.


Oh no.  You didnt just bring up Rogue Warrior  There are significant risks involved with testing military security.  You could really get yourself shot.  I can tell you that I have been a participant in many security tests, none of which ever involved someone actually trying to penetrate areas where Deadly Force was authorized.  Reason being, creating a situation that causes a young Marine Security Guard to hesitate thinking, "well, last time I was confronted, it was a drill" isnt a good idea.  Sorry RM, it doesn't happen. In fact, I was told repeatedly be superiors that we would never be placed in a scenario where a drill could be mis- represented as the real thing.
In addition to that, having some random civilian try and climb over the fence isnt how those tests are done.  Those tests are conducted by people who are specifically trained to test certain aspects.   In addition, and I wont go into it on a blog, but many of those facilities are designed to kill you long before you even get close.  Having security personnel stick a rifle in your face is usually the last line of defense.
Getting CAP members involved in probing security sites is something I dont think we need to be involved in.  As far as us patrolling airports? Again, just being a vigilant civilian pilot is pretty good.  I dont want to see us flying into airports jacking up fellow pilots.  All bad ideas as far as Im concerned. 

The only part of your post I agree with is getting with your local military or civilian law enforcement to see about a briefing on local threats.  Beyond that, I think your quickly driving out of your lane.

There's a reason that Marcinko isn't in the Navy anymore.  Using his books for ideas is a bad start.    IMO and the opinion of MANY others in the SO community, he's a liar, cheat, and idiot.  He's given Navy SPECWAR a huge black eye.  These are folks I know, like, and respect - he's bucket scrapings.

--------------------------------------------------------

Doing anything with assessing security calls for a great deal of professional training.  The folks who do that for USAF security forces, DHS, DoE, Army SF etc have huge backgrounds in it.  It's not something that we could just step into with a CAPF 101-type training.  It is truly a profession.

[heliodoc]

Googled Operation Drop In

Nice work CAP!!

Honestly the program did not even work for CAP...THEY dropped the program and probably we worried about GA repercussion.

AGAIN.... poor training, not enough training and when requested by an outside source AvWeb...nothing from CAP...the argument remains..CAP does not need to release to the public.

Sure, this happened awhile ago...BUT there in lies the problem for CAP...the ability to say NO does not appear in their can do, do ALLLL attitude.


As a member I will do as assigned, but I do know when to leave HLS missions to the real professionals.  CAP needs to do its own missions more professionally and earnestly BEFORE handling many more Federal assignments and again jacking up pilots, as mentioned before

Not all those old weatherbeaten aircraft were hauling drugs and not all those pilots have a consolidated maintenance program funded by Joe Taxpayer to put on a new $8K  Emron (sp) paint job

So I personally as a CAP member, a former Army Helo mech, and a a former Planning Spec for an EMA, can see the validity  of TRAINING that needs to be accomplished by CAP through the EMA types and HLS training types that KNOW this business before we bite off more than we can chew and create another publicity nightmare that we do not need