Civil Air Patrol - Disaster response missions

CAP role in oil spill response tops 10,000 volunteer hrs., 1,000 hrs. in air ... & counting

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0000

(1)
Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter, CAP national commander, is briefed by Capt. William Drelling, overall deputy for the Coast Guard’s Mobile command center, as (from right) Lt. Col. Marcus Taylor, Florida Wing chaplain, Col. James M. Rushing, Southeast Region commander, and Capt. Phil Norris, Southeast Region Assistant Director of Public Affairs, listen.

(2)
Joint Information Center liaison officer Garry Willis, left, tells Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter and Col. James M. Rushing about the center’s structure and how it relates to the different agencies working out of the Mobile command post.

(3)
Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter and Col. James M. Rushing listen as Eric Songer, geographical information systems data management group leader for URS Corp., explains how CAP’s aerial reconnaissance photographs are processed and why they are important to the oil spill response.

Photos by Susan Robertson, CAP National Headquarters

Steve Cox
Public Affairs Manager
National Headquarters

ALABAMA – Civil Air Patrol’s role in Deepwater Horizon Response has already reached significant milestones, surpassing 10,000 volunteer hours and 1,000 hours of flight time while providing aerial oil spill reconnaissance along the Gulf Coast.

“The level of CAP members’ response to the oil spill is significant and an indication of the continued diversification of Civil Air Patrol’s missions,” said Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter, CAP national commander, who received the news during a briefing last week at the incident command center in Mobile.

CAP pilots fly the coastline daily to monitor and document oil control efforts, while scanners onboard take photos of booms deployed along the shoreline. The images, as many as 3,000 each day, provide valuable information to agencies managing the response.

“It is critical to (the response), because a day is an eternity in this event,” said Eric Songer, data management group manager for geographical information systems for URS Corp., one of several agencies at work at the command center. “If a boom gets out of place or is misplaced, it’s not there to protect what it’s supposed to.”

Courter’s visit to Mobile came on the 60th day of CAP’s sustained operation on the Gulf Coast. The Southeast Region’s commander, Col. James M. Rushing, who briefed Courter on CAP’s response to the oil spill, described it as CAP’s biggest mission since World War II, when civilian pilots who founded the organization used their own aircraft to keep German U-boats away from America’s East and Gulf coasts.

“It’s wonderful to see the trained, experienced, competent CAP members working shoulder-to-shoulder with their Air Force and Coast Guard counterparts as part of the whole team,” Courter said. “We are partnered at such high levels with other services and agencies. This speaks volumes about CAP’s ability to handle incident command structures and imagery standards.”

To date, CAP aircrews have made 497 flights in support of the response, logging 1,099 flight hours in 33 planes. In all, 239 CAP volunteers have put in 10,361 hours in support of the mission.

For now, Courter said, CAP will maintain a presence in Mobile.

“From the briefings I heard today, I believe there will continue to be a need to support the communities and environment of the Gulf Coast and to respond with smart people who are capable of continually modifying their responses as the crisis unfolds,” she said.

Kristi Carr, staff writer, also contributed to this report

S.C. unit tours tornado damage sites

Mon, 04 May 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Emerald City Cadet Squadron members look over some of the devastation left by a tornado that struck the Abbeville area April 10.

Maj. Kay Dowling
Deputy Commander for Cadets
Emerald City Cadet Squadron
South Carolina Wing

SOUTH CAROLINA – The Emerald City Cadet Squadron got a look recently at just how devastating a tornado can be when Abbeville Fire Department gave them a tour of areas devastated by a twister April 10.

The cadets visited the scene so they could learn what to expect if they were to be called out to assist in such a situation.

In addition, Abbeville residents appreciated the opportunity to meet and speak with members of the squadron, as they were not aware of Civil Air Patrol’s capabilities and desire to be of assistance after disasters. They also learned the squadron is available to provide other services as well.

CAP provides 5,000 aerial photos for N.D. flood response

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Lt. Col. Troy Krabbenhoft

Public Affairs Officer

North Dakota Wing

NORTH DAKOTA – As the weather in North Dakota improves, citizen volunteers from Civil Air Patrol continue to support flood relief efforts throughout the state.

Flying in support of the state of North Dakota, CAP aircraft and aircrews from all 11 squadrons in the North Dakota Wing have been taking thousands of digital photos of the major rivers in the state, including the Missouri, Knife, Heart, Souris, Sheyenne, James, Wild Rice, Maple and the Red.

This monumental effort involves North Dakota Wing’s five aircraft, flying out of bases at Minot, Dickinson, Bismarck, Fargo and Grand Forks to provide the state’s emergency responders with a “real-time” picture of the flooding.

Since March 20, CAP aircrews have made 95 flights totaling 230 hours, capturing more than 5,000 photos for the State Emergency Operations Center. The CAP imagery has alerted decision makers of potential damage to vital infrastructure, which is bolstering the emergency response.

“CAP is like the cavalry for North Dakota,” said Greg Wilz, state director of emergency services. “We couldn’t have responded as well as we have without them.”

To consolidate Civil Air Patrol’s efforts throughout North Dakota, CAP Incident Commander Maj. Bill Kay split the state into three manageable area commands – Bismarck Area Command, Fargo Area Command and Grand Forks Area Command. This allows members of each command to concentrate on their area without the need to worry about what is going on in other parts of the state.

Bismarck Composite Squadron Commander Maj. Sean Johnson, meanwhile, is in charge of the SEOC’s Air Operations Branch, which was established – for the first time ever – to manage all state and federal air assets for the disaster.

In addition to the aerial surveillance, the North Dakota Wing has assisted citizens on the ground with sandbagging in flooded areas in Fargo, Grand Forks, Bismarck and Beulah. Other volunteers from CAP’s Minnesota and South Dakota wings have also helped.

Civil Air Patrol’s flood relief efforts are even more critical now, as temperatures start to rise in North Dakota and the state’s rivers and their tributaries begin to thaw.

“CAP is not done yet,” said Kay. “We will continue to fly aerial imaging flights for the SEOC, making sure that the state is aware of potential ice jams and overland flooding.”

N.D. members discuss aerial imagery missions surveying flood damage

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0000

NORTH DAKOTA – Two Bismarck Composite Squadron officers — Maj. Sean Johns, commander, and Capt. Chris Brown, deputy commander – discuss Civil Air Patrol’s continuing missions to provide aerial imagery of flood-devastated areas of the state in a Bismarck Tribune article written by a reporter taken along on one such flight.

N.D. unit's commander flies officials above flood damage

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0000

(Top)
(From left) A.D. Hill III, Lt. Col. Jay Manley and sheriff’s Sgt. DuWayne Nitschke decide on their upcoming flight’s route.

(Bottom)
Lt. Col. Jay Manley, A.D. Hill III and sheriff’s Sgt. DuWayne Nitschke prepare to board the CAP Cessna 182.

(Photos by Lt. Col. Troy Krabbenhoft)

Lt. Col. Troy Krabbenhoft
Public Affairs Officer
North Dakota Wing

NORTH DAKOTA – Representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the local sheriff’s office got an aerial perspective on flood-damaged Cass County this week, thanks to the local Civil Air Patrol squadron’s commander.

When Lt. Col. Jay Manley, Red River Valley Senior Squadron commander, flew over the county, his passengers were A.D. Hill III of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, who serves as an operations and planning specialist for FEMA, and Sgt. DuWayne Nitschke of the Cass County Sheriff’s office.

“We were able to get a really good overhead view of the amount of water in the county, and some of the spots that we are going to have to pay particular attention to when the water rises for the second crest,” Nitschke said.

Hill added, “The flight was exactly what we wanted. We were able to see everything we wanted to see, and it was really positive to have the pilot’s prospective and knowledge of the area and information from previous flights flown.”

“The flight worked out perfectly,” he said.

Dakota, Minn. wings continue N.D. flood relief campaign

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0000

(Top, second photos)
A Civil Air Patrol Cessna 182 taxis to launch for an aerial imaging mission, then takes off.

(Bottom)
Red Cross volunteers (from left) Tina Rakowski, Cindy Juntunen and Heather Ostmo deliver food for Civil Air Patrol volunteers.

Maj. Don Dalton
Emergency Services Training Officer
Minnesota Wing

MINNESOTA – The North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota wings continue to support flood relief efforts in northeastern North Dakota with aircraft and aircrews.

Aircrews were providing aerial imaging of the confluences of several rivers along with a survey of the Red River in the Grand Forks area. The mission base opened at 8 a.m. April 2 with two missions assigned at the time. Operations ended with nightfall but are expected to resume at first light in the morning.

About 20 members from the following units are participating:

Minnesota Wing -- Duluth Composite Squadron. Hutchinson Composite Squadron, Red Wing Composite Squadron and Tri-County Senior Squadron.
North Dakota Wing: Grand Forks Composite Squadron.
South Dakota Wing: Wing Headquarters, Brookings Composite Squadron and Sioux Falls Composite Squadron.

Weekend weather restricts N.D. flood relief efforts

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Maj. Connie Nikiforoff
Bismarck Composite Squadron
North Dakota Wing

NORTH DAKOTA – Flood relief work directed from the Bismarck command post slowed a bit over the weekend, as adverse weather clamped down on Civil Air Patrol members’ capabilities to carry out further missions.

A pair of aircraft relocation missions were flown March 28, and another plane made a reconnaissance flight patrolling the Missouri River and Beaver Creek toward Linton, site of substantial flooding. Aerial images taken by Bismarck Composite members have been made available for viewing.

March 29 brought unexpected weather and flying conditions, as heavy fog blanketed the area in and around Bismarck, making planned aerial imagery flights impossible. Once conditions improved, one plane was relocated to Fargo after maintenance work was completed.

Subsequently, yet another blizzard curtailed activities. CAP members used the time to rest, attend to personal matters and gear up to continue the fight against flooding as needed and requested in the Fargo area, as well as in other parts of North Dakota.

Things are temporarily settled, but as the new snow cover melts, meteorologists predict that a fast thaw will again put many areas in the state at risk for flooding because of river overflows as well as overland flooding.

Civil Air Patrol members remain vigilant.

N.D. squadron assists in recovery work after Knife floods

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Scenes from the Roughrider Composite Squadron’s disaster relief mission in Beulah.

(Photos by 1st Lt. Kim Hetzel)

1st Lt. Kim Hetzel
Deputy Commander of Cadets
Roughrider Composite Squadron
North Dakota Wing

NORTH DAKOTA – Three senior members and eight cadets from the Roughrider Composite Squadron spent the weekend in western North Dakota helping with flood recovery efforts in Beulah, where the Knife River had flooded before the Red River began overflowing along the state’s eastern border.

Assisting the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, the team removed snow drifts from drives and doorways before entering basements to carry soggy belongings to the curb.

In addition, the cadets helped
fill sandbags needed for the additional flooding arising from the latest blizzard.
To this current

The Salvation Army billeted the Roughrider members in the Beulah Civic Center. Area
churches provided meals for volunteers and families affected by the
flooding.

Minn. unit pitches in to fight flooding in Fargo

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000

(Top and second rows)
St. Paul Composite Squadron members help fill sandbags.

(Third row)
The St. Paul Composite contingent pauses to pose for a photo in Fargo.

(Bottom row)
The scene inside the Fargo Dome.

Editor's note: The St. Paul Composite Squadron's emergency services officer, 1st Lt. Paul Markegard, provided the following first-person account of the squadron's involvement in the fight against flooding in Fargo, N.D.

1st Lt. Paul Markegard
Emergency Services Officer
St. Paul Composite Squadron
Minnesota Wing

MINNESOTA -- Members of the St. Paul Composite Squadron have again answered the call -- this time in Fargo, N.D., where the Red River is 22 feet above flood stage and threatening numerous houses and businesses.

A call for help went out to all Civil Air Patrol units in Minnesota to assist with everything from sandbagging and dike building to aerial photography. The St. Paul squadron responded the night of March 25 with a team of seven.

Loaded with gear, we launched into the winter night bound for Fargo. Some 4 ½ hours later, around midnight, we rolled into mission base ready to work.

We were sent to the Fargo Dome, where we were told to help fill sandbags. Unfortunately, the sand could not be supplied fast enough, and after an hour it was apparent we would be of little use under the circumstances. We decided to get some sleep and start up first thing in the morning.

After a two-hour nap, we were back at mission base, where we helped shovel snow before being assigned to help with sandbagging in the northern end of Fargo.

Upon arrival, we grabbed some shovels and started to fill bags from a pile of sand. I have no idea how many we filled – perhaps hundreds.

The cadets were outstanding. Some were filling and tying off bags, while others were in the line moving bags from the street into backyards to build walls against floodwaters.

As I moved about checking on my cadets, many times I received compliments how how hard and how well they were working. Those guys are really what makes CAP stand out.

We worked the area until late afternoon, then headed back to mission base. Though the National Guard had road blocks set up, they waved us through. Maybe the uniforms helped.

We were planning to return to the dorms we were staying in for rest and dinner, but a call came in to base requesting as many people as were available to build a secondary wall to help shore up one that was starting to collapse.

I asked our team if we could do it. No one said, "No.” Neither did they say, "Yes, we can" … but they did not say "no".

I knew we were tired, but the residents needed our help. A total of 19 CAP members from both Minnesota and North Dakota rolled out.
We worked hard and fast to build the wall -- under a deck, no less.

After a 12-hour day working on about two hours of sleep, we were sent back to recover, rest and get some chow. We never made it back, as the the decision to terminate ground operations was made about 10:30 p.m.

We were loaded up in our trucks and bound for home by 11:30 p.m., arriving back at St. Paul about 4 a.m.

This was a missions of nonstop work. The cadets really stepped up to the challenge.

Nothing was easy about this one -- from the four-hour ride stuck in the back of a truck to lifting 40-pound or heavier bags of sand. It was cold and snowing, and the wind picked up as the sun set.

No one complained, though. In fact, the only complaining I heard was when we told there was nothing to do. The cadets worked and worked and worked. They all did a fantastic job.

Thanks again to all who jumped up to help. It was no easy task, but you all did what was asked of you and you did it well.

Floods of praise for Civil Air Patrol

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Capt. Richard Sprouse
Mission Information Officer
Minnesota Wing

MINNESOTA – “Give them some direction and they hop to it.”

That’s what Fargo, N.D., resident Kent Wanner had to say about members of the Minnesota and North Dakota wings of Civil Air Patrol responding to record flooding along the Red River separating Fargo and Moorhead, Minn.

Since early Monday, Wanner and his neighbors in the Riverwood Housing Development have been battling the rising river with sandbags almost round the clock.

“This is a disaster that’s affecting all of us, and the assistance of Civil Air Patrol is much appreciated,” he said. “I can tell you we’re all a little tired and nervous, but your assistance is much appreciated and has lifted our spirits.”

Phil McShane, who also lives in the development, had plenty of praise for CAP as well.

“Who are those marvelous young people? They’re polite, hardworking and their sense of community is amazing. What an example and inspiration to all of us.” McShane said.

Since Monday, approximately 200 CAP members from the two bordering states have been building dikes along the river, despite freezing temperatures and blowing snow.

Forecasters now predict the river will crest at 42 feet by midnight Saturday. That’s 2 feet above the record flooding that devastated the Red River Valley in 1997.

The scope of this year’s event and the reaction of the people is something Cadet Sr. Master Sgt. Hanna Olson of the Minnesota Wing’s Anoka Composite Squadron will always remember.

“It’s unbelievable how high the water is,” Olson said. “It’s also unbelievable how everyone is pulling together.”

2nd Lt. Al Trombley of the Minnesota Wing’s North Hennepin Composite Squadron said that despite the circumstances, there’s lots of positive interaction among CAP members.

“It’s been great socializing with members of both the Minnesota and North Dakota wing,” Trombley said.

There was even an extra benefit for Trombley.

“There’s a cadet in our squadron that I didn’t know very well, but after living in the same area for a few days we got to know each other pretty well,” he said. “It’s interesting how a common cause like this brings strangers together.”

North Dakota Wing Commander Col. Karl Altenburg said this is a situation where an area needs and appreciates CAP’s assistance.

“We will continue to support our citizens in their time of need,” Altenburg said. “Our members will work tirelessly to support our local responders and communities in the Red River Valley.”

CAP wings respond to flooding in blizzard

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000

NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS – The North Dakota and Minnesota wings continue their flood fighting efforts along the Red River as rising waters threaten neighborhoods and towns in both states.

With a deep winter snow pack and 7 inches of fresh snow, working conditions for the relief efforts are dismal at best. High winds are adding to the mix, creating blizzard conditions to contend with as the battle rages.

Throughout the week, area emergency management officials continued pleading for more volunteers. The request was for 2,000 volunteers to place 500,000 sandbags to raise the dikes at least a foot above the expected flood level of 42 feet. At this time, it is not known if the target height of 43 feet has been reached in all the affected areas.

With approximately 200 personnel from both CAP wings and thousands of hours served, the response from CAP members has been outstanding.

“We are continuing the fight; the cadets and staff remain focused on the mission of saving Fargo-Moorehead and the surrounding areas,” North Dakota Wing Commander Col. Karl Altenburg said. “The enthusiasm displayed by our members is a shining example of the true dedication to the mission.”

Operations are continuing on a 24/7 schedule, with the Fargodome being the primary point for building sandbags. 2nd Lt. Donald Raleigh of the Minnesota Wing's Anoka Composite Squadron said, “I worked alongside of college students and World War II veterans. They were people from all walks of life pitching in to help complete strangers and neighbors alike. The experience restored my faith in humanity.”

Raleigh added, “The sandbag assembly effort inside the Fargodome was organized chaos – hundreds of people elbow to elbow, front-end loaders running back and forth, semitrucks delivering sand, forklifts running all over moving filled sandbags. I was amazed by the effort.”

It has now come to light that some other low-lying areas of Minnesota are beginning to flood. With that information in hand, the mission continues.

CAP helps fight floods on Red River

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. – Citizen volunteers from Civil Air Patrol’s North Dakota and Minnesota wings are stepping forward to serve as flooding from the Red River threatens communities in both states.

CAP members are filling and stacking hundreds of thousands of sandbags near the civic center in Fargo, N.D., as well as outside a radio station in the city. CAP aircrews also are making damage assessment flights, as weather permits, to help protect critical infrastructure.

North Dakota and Minnesota have been hit with multiple weather emergencies in recent days as flooding persists along the Red River and its tributaries. A severe blizzard blew through most of the region earlier this week, blanketing the ground with thick heavy snow. Power lines are down in western North Dakota and a massive ice jam has blocked the Missouri River south of Bismarck, N.D., causing the evacuation of residents. Ice jams have caused several other smaller evacuations.

Much of the Fargo, N.D.-Moorhead, Minn., metropolitan area has become an island with the closing of most roads in and out of area communities due to flooding and snowdrifts.

Over the past three days, more than 150 Civil Air Patrol members from the North Dakota and Minnesota wings have participated in sandbagging operations as well as limited damage assessment flights for local emergency managers.

Operations began on Monday with teams from both wings sandbagging at various locations in the Fargo area, such as the Fargo Dome, where members assisted with filling thousands of sandbags an hour.

CAP members also assisted radio station KFGO in Fargo. Four teams of members assisted local residents with sandbagging operations that helped protect this critical emergency communications point for the community. The station is still up and broadcasting.

“It is inspiring to see the volunteer spirit and sense of mission in the midst of this emergency,” said Col. Karl Altenburg, commander of the North Dakota Wing. “All personnel, especially the cadets, continue to impress the community with their willingness and ability to serve.”

The mission base remained open throughout Tuesday evening with North Dakota Wing Lt. Col. Michael Provencher serving as incident commander and Maj. Donald Dalton from Minnesota Wing’s Red Wing Squadron serving as ground branch director.

Despite the snow and wind, 75 Civil Air Patrol volunteers arrived at 8 a.m. Wednesday morning and were rapidly dispatched to sites around the area. Many members helped build dikes by stacking sandbags along the Red River south of Fargo.

Although sore from lifting and moving heavy sandbags, enthusiasm for the mission was very high among the CAP volunteers. The Red Cross brought food and water and offered additional support as needed.

Air operations branch director, North Dakota Wing Col. Walt Vollmers, plans to launch flight crews from Fargo and Grand Forks as soon as weather permits. The air crews will be tasked with taking damage assessment photography of communities along the Red River and the rising lakes in northeast North Dakota.

CAP members are also assisting with disaster relief operations near Crookston, Minn.

“I am very proud of the members of Civil Air Patrol who are coming from all parts of both states to help in this time of need,” said Minnesota Wing Commander Col. Thomas Theis.

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with 55,600 members nationwide. CAP performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and was credited by the AFRCC with saving 91 lives in fiscal year 2008. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counterdrug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to nearly 22,000 young people currently participating in CAP cadet programs. CAP has been performing missions for America for 67 years.

CAP total fighting N.D. floods passes 100

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000

(Top)
The flood-threatened Main Street Bridge between Wahpeton, N.D., and Breckenridge, Minn., photographed during a North Dakota Wing flight carried out for Wahpeton citiy officials.

(Middle)
Flooded farmland near Amenia, N.D.

(Bottom)
Civil Air Patrol members fill sandbags at KFGO-AM in Fargo.

Lt. Col. Troy Krabbenhoft
Public Affairs Officer
North Dakota Wing

NORTH DAKOTA -- The number of members from the North Dakota and Minnesota wings helping fight flooding in the Fargo vicinity swelled past 100 on March 24 as the Red River continued to overflow its banks and threaten lives and property.

Members from the two wings were filling sand bags and positioning them to prevent damage to homes and critical community assets, while aircrews were able to provide limited images of some of the flooded areas for emergency management officials.

Additional Minnesota Wing members were expected during the day. The South Dakota Wing tried to send members as well, but they were unable to reach the command post because Interstate 29 -- like many other roads in the area -- was underwater and impassable.

A North Dakota Wing aircrew took digital photos for Wahpeton officials showing their city and downtown Breckenridge, Minn. The lone bridge connecting the Wahpeton and Breckenridge is threatened by the Red River, forecast to crest March 24.

The photos were taken by Col. Karl Altenburg, wing commander. Lt. Col. John Steiner, wing emergency services officer, and Maj. Chad Smith of the Red River Valley Senior Squadron completed the aircrew.

In the meantime, the command post had gone to 24-hour operations, with Col. Walt Vollmers and Lt. Col. Mike Provencher -- incident commander and deputy incident commander, respectively -- of wing headquarters handling the night shift with minimal sleep. They worked to arrange for lodging and Red Cross cots for the members. The last team retired to sleep at 5:30 a.m., as some teams slept while others were in the field.

Regular updates and photos from the relief efforts can be found on the North Central Region Web site.

N.D., Minn. members respond to flooding in Fargo area

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Civil Air Patrol members pitch in with filling and positioning sandbags to counter flooding of the Red River in the Fargo, N.D., area.
(Photos by Lt. Col. Troy Krabbenhoft)

Lt. Col. Troy Krabbenhoft
Public Affairs Officer
North Dakota Wing

NORTH DAKOTA – The threat of flooding in the Fargo area drew more than 50 members of the North Dakota and Minnesota wings up to 250 miles to aid in the effort to keep the Red River from overrunning homes, businesses and towns.

Several ground teams have been dispatched to local houses and troubled spots. Once members checked in, they were dispatched within minutes to assist with sandbagging.

Cold and periods of rain today have hampered the ground teams’ efforts, while aircrews had to return home because of poor visibility. More rain is forecast throughout the wek.

One distress call came from Fargo’s KFGO-AM, where staff reported that the transmission tower site was in danger of overland flooding. Losing that signal would take away the local news radio network, which has been broadcasting emergency and flood information not only locally but across North Dakota and Minnesota.

Col. Karl Altenburg, North Dakota Wing commander told his staff that “community leaders have issued an urgent call to mobilize and the Civil Air Patrol has responded.”

“We have brought in air- and ground crews throughout North Dakota and Minnesota and we are going to show the community we are ready to serve them and cater to their needs.”

S.D. Wing provides aerial damage assessment after storm

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0000

1st Lt. Lori Anderson

Public Affairs Officer

South Dakota Wing

SOUTH DAKOTA -- A South Dakota Wing aircrew provided aerial damage assessment Nov. 8 at the state Office of Emergency Management's request after a storm struck the western half of the state.

The five-hour assessment flight came after "the weather made it difficult for us to launch the planes to provide the assessment,” said Capt. John Seten, the wing's director of operations.

The storm left many residents without power. Wade Bollinger of the Moreau-Grand Electric Cooperative, who flew with the CAP crew, estimated that 187 power poles were broken and that about 1,500 residents lacked electricity in the counties of Corson, Dewey and Ziebach alone.

CAP flight gives N.C. county official view of coastal storm damage

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Photo by Maj. Linda Eldredge

Emerald Isle and Bogue Inlet, photographed from a Coastal Patrol Base 21 flight over Cartaret County, N.C.

Maj. Linda Eldredge

Public Affairs Officer

Coastal Patrol Base 21

North Carolina Wing

NORTH CAROLINA -- Shortly after a rugged northeaster weather system moved through “down East” North Carolina’s coastline, a Coastal Patrol Base 21 aircrew flew Jo Ann Smith, Carteret County manager, on a shoreline survey of her county from Bogue Inlet to Cedar Island.

The flight enabled Smith to view the overwash damage and changes to the shoreline. In addition, photos taken from the Civil Air Patrol plane were available for her to review later.

Maj. Fred Eldredge, Coastal Patrol Base 21 commander, was mission pilot, while Maj. Linda Linda Eldredge, the unit's public affairs officer, served as scanner/observer.

Photo by Maj. Fred Eldredge

Jo Ann Smith, Carteret County manager, and Maj. Linda Eldredge.

Photo by Maj. Linda Eldredge

The Cedar Island Ferry, photographed from the Coastal Patrol Base 21 flight.

Illinois members help fight flooding impact in Prospect Heights

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

2^nd Lt. Marc Stanley
Public Affairs Officer
Palwaukee Composite Squadron
Illinois Wing

ILLINOIS -- Illinois Wing members were on the job Sept. 13 after officials from Prospect Heights contacted the Palwaukee Composite Squadron to ask for assistance in the face of a flood.

When the local officials made the midmorning call, the Des Plaines River was at flood stage, and quickly rising water was already saturated by some subdivisions.

After calls to Civil Air Patrol's National Operations Center and the Illinois Wing director of operations, Palwaukee squadron officials sent out an alert to the unit's members and others throughout the wing.

Squadron members immediately started planning for the mission. Some 90 minutes after the alert was sent out, the first team mustered at the mission base at the Palwaukee squadron's headquarters at Chicago Executive Airport, then headed into the flooded area to assist with sandbagging.

Working with members of the Prospect Heights Fire Department and Public Works Department, local local and residents, as well as sailors from Naval Station Great Lakes, the CAP teams worked past midnight.

U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk was on the site with staff members to help fill sandbags. Kirk took the opportunity to shake hands with the CAP members at the scene and thank them for their assistance to local communities.

Prospect Heights officials have indicated CAP will be on their list of "go-to" agencies for future disaster relief situations.

The effort involved 28 members from six units -- the Palwaukee, Forest Park, Lake County, Lewis and Chicago Midway composite squadrons and Group 22 Headquarters.

Participating were:

Group 22 Headquarters -- Maj. Paul Hanna.
Chicago Midway Composite Squadron -- 1^st Lt. Mark Halman and 2^nd Lts. Damon Card and John Stys.
Palwaukee Composite Squadron -- Maj. Bob Dempsey; Capts. David Gillingham and Jim Griggs; 1^st Lts. Charles Brown, Bob Gould, Scott Murphy, Jay Trivedi and Axel Velazquez; 2^ndLts. Scott McKnight, Marc Stanley and John Trimarco; Sr. Mbr. Mike Grenz; and cadets Hannah Gottschalk and Clint Greenlee.
Forest Park Composite Squadron -- Cadet Adam Wallace.
Lake County Composite Squadron -- Capt. Brian Pokuta, 2^nd Lt. Kenneth Hartogh and cadet Chris Hartogh.
Lewis Composite Squadron -- Cadets Ryan Blasky, Zack Hagner, Brett Krueger, Kenneth Macejak, David Miller and Seth Thomas.

Ohio unit helps out elderly after Ike remnants spawn storms

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Members of the Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker Composite Squadron's Land of Legends Flight work to clear debris from an elderly Newark resident's yard after high winds caused damage throughout much of Ohio.

2^nd Lt. John C. Morgan
Public Affairs Officer

Land of Legends Flight

Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker Composite Squadron

Ohio Wing

OHIO -- Hurricanes normally occur far too many thousands of miles away to wield any sort of impact on Ohio, but that wasn't the case Sept. 14, as more than 2 million residents learned when they lost power after remnants of Hurricane Ike collided with a cold front over the region.

With sustained winds in excess of 75 mph, many communities, including Newark, were left covered with downed trees, limbs, and power lines the following morning.

Though cadets and senior members in the Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker Composite Squadron's Land of Legends Composite Flight had planned another activity for the upcoming weekend, they stepped up to the plate and helped out.

The unit's public affairs officer, 2^nd Lt. John Morgan, contacted Jeff Walker, director of the Licking County Emergency Management Agency, who in turn put him in touch with the Licking County Aging Program. Though the Aging Program's offices also lacked power, officials were able to supply a list of senior citizens with yards full of storm debris.

“We had a two-day field exercise planned for the weekend that the cadets were really looking forward to," Morgan said, but "helping out our community in need was more important. These folks were real appreciative to have our help.”

Sylvia Saum of Newark was thrilled about having tree limbs removed from her lawn. “I was so surprised they came out to clean my yard," she said. "The kids were so polite, just wonderful.”

Eunice Conaway, another Newark resident, had been afraid to walk in her yard for fear of slipping on the walnuts and branches that had come down in the storm. With tears in her eyes Conaway, who had celebrated her 93^rd birthday a few days before, told the cadets they would never know how much their help meant to her.

When they finished picking up her yard, the cadets sang "Happy Birthday" to her.

Said Morgan, One of our core values is 'Volunteer Service' -- putting the needs of the community before ourselves. These young cadets are an example of that.”

Coverage highlights Civil Air Patrol's Ike missions in Texas

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS – The following coverage is among those highlighting Civil Air Patrol's ongoing missions in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike:

mysanantonio.com video: "Volunteer pilots assessing Ike's damage"
KTRK ABC 13, Houston video: "Images from above Ike's destruction"
KNOE TV, Monroe, La. story: "Civil Air Patrol from Arkansas to help in Hurricane Ike survey"

Ark. Wing aircraft, crews head for Texas to assist in response to Ike

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Maj. Blake Sasse
Public Affairs Officer
Arkansas Wing

ARKANSAS -- Two Arkansas Wing aircraft and aircrews departed Sunday for a three- to four day-deployment to Houston as part of the response to Hurricane Ike.

Their primary task is expected to involve aerial photography that will assist state and federal officials in assessing the damage caused by the massive storm. Texas Wing members have already flown nearly 150 flights in support of the mission, while CAP ground teams have worked with local officials to help distribute food and other relief supplies.

Capt. John McDaniel of the 115^th Composite Squadron and 1^st Lt. Walter Glosenger and 2^nd Lt. Kim Reitz from the 83^rd Composite Squadron flew in a C-182 from Fort Smith. Capts. Andy Berkemeyer and Ronnie Sexton of the 102^nd Composite Squadron were in a C-182 from Russellville.

CAP gives NWS meteorologists a bird's-eye view of hurricane damage

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. – Civil Air Patrol pilots flew National Weather Service meteorologists up and down the East Texas coast today in a Gippsland GA8 Airvan. The meteorologists are developing a report on Hurricane Ike and they will use photography taken aloft in the CAP plane and observations made while flying along the coast and above Galveston in their assessment.

“This mission is going to help us with our ground data,” said Patrick Blood, a NWS meteorologist. “Now we have aerial photos and video that we can tie together for our complete coastal report.”

During the flight, Blood took about 800 photos that will help the NWS determine Ike’s wind speed, the amount of surge that overran Galveston Island and the distance storm debris traveled inland.

While the NWS was aloft with the Civil Air Patrol, other CAP volunteers served Houston residents on the ground at Manvel High School. Dozens of ground team members passed out bags of ice, bottled water and meals to residents driving through the school’s parking lot. CAP members also provided first aid to weary residents of Manvel, a community of about 7,000 just south of Houston.

Working beside CAP were Manvel residents, local volunteer emergency service providers and state police. Manvel Mayor Delores Martin also assisted the effort, and she appreciated CAP’s help, especially that provided by cadets.

“These young people have been tremendous,” Martin said. “They didn’t ask for anything but ‘Give me a job.’ They did everything, they picked up, they carried, they offered help to people.”

According to Lt. Col. Brooks Cima, incident commander for Texas Wing’s mission base at the West Houston Airport, more than 30 CAP members were staffing the distribution site.

More aircrews and ground team members, including some from CAP’s Arkansas and Oklahoma wings, are expected to arrive at the Houston base this weekend to support ongoing aerial photography missions for the state of Texas. CAP aircrews’ digital photos of critical infrastructure in the storm-ravaged areas are being used to restore essential services like power, water and fuel. Louisiana Wing is also flying similar missions for the state of Louisiana.

The digital images are being stored on a public Web site, http://magic.csr.utexas.edu/Storm/08ike/Imagery.php (click on the “Maps” link at the top). A sampling of the photos also has been posted on CAP’s national Web site. They can be accessed at the Hurricane Ike Photos page.

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with more than 56,000 members nationwide. CAP performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and was credited by the AFRCC with saving 103 lives in fiscal year 2007. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counter-drug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the nearly 22,000 young people currently participating in CAP cadet programs. CAP has been performing missions for America for more than 66 years.

Texas Wing steps up hurricane recovery efforts

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Photo by Civil Air Patrol

Aerial photos like this one taken near Galveston show the devastation from Hurricane Ike, which damaged thousands of homes and businesses in coastal communities in East Texas and southwestern Louisiana. Civil Air Patrol is photographing the devastated areas at the request of state and federal officials, who are using the images to help local officials and private sector partners restore essential services like power, water and fuel.

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. – The citizen volunteers of Civil Air Patrol’s Texas Wing, operating from their new mission base in Houston, are receiving offers of help from across the nation as they launch dozens of flights each day to photograph damage wrought by Hurricane Ike.

Lt. Col. Dennis Cima, commander of Texas Wing’s Group 4, which includes much of the storm-ravaged areas of the Lone Star State, said about 65 members gathered at the West Houston Airport today to aid the relief effort. Six CAP aircraft are stationed at the airport, with four more inbound, he said. More planes and members are expected to arrive at the mission base over the next few days as CAP’s damage assessment flights continue for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 1st Air Force and the Texas State Operations Center.

Texas Wing Commander Col. Joe Smith said although CAP members were among those devastated by the hurricane, they still came forth to assist. “Everybody’s pitching in saying, ‘What can I do to help?’” he said. “We’re Texans and we’re proud,” said Cima. “We take care of each other.”

CAP’s assistance was necessary after Ike made landfall early Saturday, damaging thousands of homes and businesses along the Texas and Louisiana coasts and knocking out essential services like power, water and fuel services. Aircrews have spent much of the past four days photographing critical infrastructure like roads, bridges and power lines, assisting state and federal officials who are working diligently with local officials and private sector partners to restore these services.

CAP flew 55 sorties, logging more than 130 flying hours, over East Texas and southwestern Louisiana on Tuesday and Wednesday in support of the relief efforts. About 30 more flights are planned today, mostly in East Texas.

The digital aerial images taken by the aircrews are being stored on a public Web site, http://magic.csr.utexas.edu/Storm/08ike/Imagery.php (click on the “Maps” link at the top). A sampling of the photos also has been posted on CAP’s national Web site. They can be assessed at the Hurricane Ike Images page.

As the recovery missions continue, Smith said other Civil Air Patrol crews from Arkansas, Oklahoma and other wings in CAP’s Southwest Region are poised to pitch in to relieve Texas Wing crews who have been in the skies above Galveston and other East Texas coastal communities for nearly a week now.

“All over the country, not just here in the Southwest Region, crews are ready,” said Smith, who has fielded offers of assistance from as far away as North Carolina.

“It makes you feel good that all these people are wanting to help,” he said.

CAP moves Texas base to Houston

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. – Civil Air Patrol’s Texas Wing has moved its Hurricane Ike mission base to Houston, making it easier to launch flights to photograph storm damage in Houston, Galveston and other parts of East Texas.

“We’re standing up the West Houston mission base today,” said Wing Commander Col. Joe Smith, explaining that the move from San Antonio will expedite CAP’s aerial damage assessment missions for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 1^st Air Force and the Texas State Operation Center.

CAP’s assistance was necessary after Ike made landfall early Saturday, damaging thousands of homes and businesses along the Texas and Louisiana coasts and knocking out electricity to more than 2 million customers.

Some coastal communities lack essential services like power, water and fuel, making them uninhabitable. Until those services are restored, Texas Gov. Rick Perry has urged about 30,000 residents currently in shelters to remain there until local officials have deemed it safe to return home.

Digital images already taken by CAP’s aircrews, who logged nearly 80 flying hours on Tuesday, are helping expedite the recovery. The photos of critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges and power lines, assist state and federal officials who are working diligently with local officials and private sector partners to fully restore essential services to coastal communities.

“Local, state and federal officials can go to a University of Texas Web site where we upload our photos, select their county and see pictures of damage in their hometowns,” Smith said.

According to Smith, the digital images are being stored on the public Web site, http://magic.csr.utexas.edu/Storm/08ike/Imagery.php (click on the “Maps” link at the top). A sampling of CAP photos from Texas and Louisiana have been posted on CAP’s national Web site at the Hurricane Ike Images page.

John Salvador of CAP’s National Operations Center, located at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Ala., reported CAP aircrews flew 35 sorties over East Texas and southwestern Louisiana on Tuesday in support of Hurricane Ike relief efforts. Members from both the Texas and Louisiana wings returned to work today and are scheduled to make 36 flights. According to Salvador. federal and state taskings are expected to continue for the next several days.

CAP’s Hurricane Ike mission base is located at the West Houston Airport, which is home to Texas Wing’s Thunderbird Composite and SABRE Senior squadrons. By Thursday morning, CAP will have 10 planes at the Houston base, putting aircrews much closer to the Texas coastal communities ravaged by Ike. Before today, the crews were flying from San Antonio, which is more than 180 miles from the new base in Houston.

CAP's Texas Wing flies Ike damage assessment missions

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. – Members of Civil Air Patrol’s Texas Wing launched dozens of flights today to take photographs of damage in Houston, Galveston and other parts of east Texas after Hurricane Ike devastated the state when it made landfall early Saturday. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, 1^st Air Force and the state of Texas all requested CAP’s assistance after Ike forced hundreds of thousands of residents to evacuate and knocked out power to millions of homes and businesses.

Lt. Col. Jack Jackson, vice commander of the Texas Wing and Civil Air Patrol's liaison to the State Operations Center in Austin, Texas, is greeted by President George W. Bush.

Wing Commander Col. Joe Smith said eight aircraft launched up to 40 flights today from CAP’s base in San Antonio. CAP’s state-of-the-art ARCHER (airborne real-time cueing hyperspectral enhanced reconnaissance) technology was used to geolocate contaminants in the state's groundwater.

CAP members throughout Texas gathered to help fellow citizens recover from the disaster that flooded and blocked roads with debris and left thousands uncertain of meeting immediate needs for food and shelter. Smith said although CAP members were among those devastated by the hurricane, they still came forth to assist.

“Everybody’s pitching in saying, ‘What can I do to help?’ Ground team members also passed out bottled water to residents in Houston at a FEMA distribution site,” he said.

“CAP’s aerial damage assessment photographs are vital to state and federal emergency managers’ ability to readily assess the extent of damage to the state’s infrastructure, including roads, bridges and power lines, as well as selected buildings,” he said.

“The state of Texas really appreciates our photo capabilities. Local, state and federal officials appreciate our efforts. They can go to a University of Texas Web site where we upload our photos, select their county and see pictures of damage in their hometowns,” Smith said.

CAP received an additional tasking from FEMA today to take aerial damage assessment photos in both Texas and Louisiana of key ferry landings, bridges and plants. CAP expects these taskings to continue throughout the week.

According to the Texas Public Utility Commission, power companies are working around the clock to restore power. Since landfall, power has been restored to at least 700,000 customers in the Houston area, but another 2.2 million customers were still without electricity today.

The remnants of Hurricane Ike moved into Canada early today after the storm left a trail of destruction and 27 people dead from the U.S. Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes, including 10 in Texas. Hurricane-force winds from the storm were felt as far north as Kentucky, and heavy rains flooded streets in Chicago.

Texas Wing braces for Hurricane Ike

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS – Members of the Texas Wing braced for Hurricane Ike today, urging residents to stay safe while moving Civil Air Patrol aircraft and equipment away from coastal communities.

Members of the Texas Wing also flew a “high-bird” communications mission for the Texas State Operations Center in advance of Ike, which is expected to make landfall late tonight or early Saturday as a powerful Category 3 hurricane.

“Operations for today include relocating aircraft and a joint agency high-bird mission,” said Lt. Col. Jack Jackson, vice commander of the Texas Wing and the CAP liaison in the Texas State Operations Center, or SOC. “We are providing an aircraft and crew as well as two communications units. The high bird (aircraft) will collect data from other agencies’ aircraft and relay it to the two ground-based communications units.”

Coastal towns such as Galveston were already seeing a storm surge this afternoon, and forecasters warned that a potentially deadly 20-foot wall of water could make its way inland. Tropical storm winds of up to 75 mph also were reported, and gusts of 125 mph or more were expected after Ike makes landfall.

“It looks like Ike may remain a Cat 3 until it leaves the Houston area" about 60 miles north of Galveston, said Jackson. “Everyone, please stay safe.”

Maj. Robert Brecount, information officer for the Texas Wing’s hurricane missions, said CAP officials were watching the weather and conferring with other agencies at the SOC.

“Lt. Col. Jackson has been in contact with all Texas group commanders and has coordinated efforts to find safe haven for all the aircraft usually kept along the Gulf Coast,” said Brecount. “With the constant help of the commanders and all the flight crews involved, the aircraft and other assets are now safely protected from the dangerous winds of Hurricane Ike.”

Relocating the aircraft and other CAP assets like vehicles and communication equipment wasn’t easy because of the uncertainty of the path of the storm. “Hurricane Ike continues to be erratic,” said Jackson. “There have been several major changes of the path in the last few days. This and other weather changes have caused us to have to alter the relocation path for aircraft.”

Ike took a slightly more northerly track late Thursday, aiming more toward Houston, the nation’s fourth-largest city. Authorities there told residents earlier today to brace rather than flee, even as people in low-lying areas closer to the Gulf of Mexico were told to leave or “face certain death.”

By noon today, more than 1 million people living near the Gulf Coast had evacuated to other Texas cities like San Antonio, Austin and Dallas.

The arrival of Ike comes two days after members of the Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama wings wrapped up aerial damage assessment missions for state agencies, including the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and the Louisiana Air National Guard. Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama aircrews flew 93 sorties and more than 185 hours in CAP aircraft to photograph critical infrastructure like dams, river locks, power plants, power lines and gas plants.

Central La. Composite Squadron cadets assist elderly after Hurricane Gustav

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Central Louisiana Composite Squadron cadets help gather, load and deliver food and supplies for shut-ins in Pineville.

Capt. Michael James

Public Affairs Officer

Central Louisiana Composite Squadron
Louisiana Wing

LOUISIANA -- Even though Central Louisiana Composite Squadron cadets’ families were out of power for at least five days because of Hurricane Gustav, that didn’t stop them from wanting to help others in the community.

In Pineville, city personnel who normally help police deliver commodities to shut-ins once a month were instead occupied with storm cleanup, so some of the squadron's cadets stepped in to take their place.

The cadets enjoyed helping with the operation, and the elderly citizens were very pleased to see the youth come to their doorsteps.

In addition to the commodity deliveries, the cadets cleaned storm debris from several elderly residents' yards.

Participating were Cadet Lt. Col. Barry James, Cadet Tech. Sgt. Andrew James, Cadet Staff Sgt. Luke Nazmark ,Cadet Airmen Jordan Hanna and Sam Piercy and Cadet Basic Alexis Newell. Joining them were

Capt. Michael James and Sr. Mbr. Robert Piercy.

CAP integrated into D.C.'s Emergency Operations Center in response to Hanna

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Maj. Paul S. Cianciolo

Director of Public Affairs
National Capital Wing

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Because of concerns over possible damage from Tropical Storm Hanna, for the first time the National Capital Wing was activated to provide around-the-clock support to the District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency in response to a pending incident.

CAP liaisons were integrated into D.C.’s Emergency Operations Center from Sept. 5-7 to provide aerial photographs of storm damage and flooding in response to the storm.

"In a severe weather event like Hanna, CAP makes it possible for the District of Columbia to conduct damage assessment more effectively than was possible in the past," said Maj. James Quinn, CAP incident commander.

CAP was provided a computer with Internet and full access to the center’s incident software and was seated with representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, D.C. National Guard, U.S. Coast Guard, Virginia Department of Emergency Management and Maryland Emergency Management Agency.

Although no CAP response was needed after Hanna passed, the move was a testament to the enthusiasm and professionalism of National Capital Wing, Quinn said after the incident was closed.

CAP looks forward to working with HSEMA in the future and providing assistance to the residents of the nation’s capital.

D.C. residents can also stay informed about homeland security, emergency management and general preparedness on HSEMA’s new blog – Be Ready DC – or on its new Facebook group.

The following CAP personnel served as emergency liaison officers:

Lt. Col. Richard Cooper, Maj. James Quinn and Capt. Kylie McDonald -- National Capital Wing Headquarters.
Lt. Col. Bruce Heinlein, Mount Vernon Composite Squadron.
Maj. Roger Cox, Fairfax Composite Squadron.
Maj. Paul Cianciolo, Andrews Composite Squadron.

Gustav damage assessment continues in La. as CAP wings prepare for Ike

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS -– Members of the Louisiana Wing continued Hurricane Gustav damage assessment missions today with seven new photo sites, primarily for the Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals.

To date the wing has flown five days, 42 sorties and more than 83 hours in CAP Cessna 172s and 182s to photograph dams, river locks, power plants, power lines and gas plants.

Additional missions have been flown for the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and the Louisiana Air National Guard.

The Louisiana Wing moved its operations base today to Shreveport, a more accessible location for volunteers coming from across the state to aid communities there. An incident command base also is operational in Gonzales.

Louisiana Wing Cessna aircraft are based in Shreveport, Monroe, Lake Charles, New Orleans and Baton Rouge. During Monday’s missions for the Department of Health & Hospitals, aircrews photographed damage in Shreveport, Baton Rouge, Alexandria and Ascension. An aircrew also flew a utility company employee in a CAP Cessna to overlook damaged power lines.

Lt. Col. Harry Stafford of wing headquarters said operations in Louisiana are running smoothly.

“Members have converged upon mission bases to assist, though roads are littered with power lines and downed trees. They are volunteering despite difficulties and damage associated with their own homes,” Stafford said.

Gustav, a Category 2 hurricane packing high winds and heavy rains, hammered the Louisiana and Mississippi coasts last week before moving inland as a tropical storm and wreaking havoc on upstate Louisiana. More than 1 million people in the state were left without power in the wake of Gustav, which was downgraded from Category 3 strength before landfall. Flooding was reported throughout the state.

Several states away, CAP’s South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia wings were put on alert last weekend and equipment was moved from coastal areas in preparation for tropical storm Hanna. The mission bases were closed Sunday after the storm produced minimal damage.

“We were ready in case we were needed,” said Lt. Col. David Crawford, North Carolina Wing director of operations. “The North Carolina Wing staffed the CAP desk at the State Emergency Operations Center and was prepared to fly post-storm assessment.”

Meanwhile, the Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas wings are taking similar precautions in anticipation of Hurricane Ike, now a major hurricane churning through eastern Cuba.

“At this time, most of our efforts are in coordinating with state and local officials, both at the State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee and at the Joint Operations Center at the Florida National Guard Headquarters in St. Augustine,” said Lt. Col. George Navarini of Florida Wing Headquarters, mission information officer. “Both ground, air and mission-base crews across the state stand ready to respond anywhere in Florida to assist local, state, and federal officials.”

Gustav damage assessment continues in Louisiana; Hanna mission base closed

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS – Members of Civil Air Patrol’s Louisiana Wing continued Hurricane Gustav damage assessment missions today with seven new photo sites, primarily for the Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals. To date the wing has flown four days, 42 sorties and more than 83 hours in CAP Cessna 172s and 182s to photograph dams, river locks, power plants, power lines and gas plants.

Additional missions have been flown for the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and the Louisiana Air National Guard.

The Louisiana Wing moved its operations base on Monday to Shreveport, a more accessible location for volunteers coming from across the state to aid communities there. An incident command base also is operational in Gonzales.

CAP Lt. Col. Harry Stafford said operations in Louisiana are running smoothly.

Several states away, CAP’s South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia wings were put on alert last weekend and equipment was moved from coastal areas in preparation for tropical storm Hanna. The mission base was closed yesterday after the storm produced minimal damage.

“We were ready in case we were needed,” said Lt. Col. David Crawford, wing director of operations. “The North Carolina Wing staffed the CAP desk at the State Emergency Operations Center and was prepared to fly post-storm assessment.”

Meanwhile, CAP’s Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas wings are taking similar precautions in anticipation of Hurricane Ike, now a major hurricane churning through Eastern Cuba.

“At this time, most of our efforts are in coordinating with state and local officials, both at the State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee and at the Joint Operations Center at the Florida National Guard Headquarters in St Augustine,” said Lt. Col. George Navarini, mission information officer. “Both ground, air and mission-base crews across the state stand ready to respond any where in Florida to assist local, state, and federal officials.”

CAP moves mission base in Louisiana

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. – Civil Air Patrol aircrews returned to the skies over Louisiana today, tasked with taking aerial photos to assist with damage assessment in the wake of Hurricane Gustav and helping emergency management officials get a bird’s-eye view of storm-torn areas throughout the state.

Gustav, a Category 2 hurricane packing high winds and heavy rains, hammered the Louisiana and Mississippi coasts on Monday, before moving inland as a tropical storm and wreaking havoc on upstate Louisiana. More than 1 million people in the state were without power in the wake of Gustav, which was downgraded from Category 3 strength before landfall. Flooding was reported throughout Louisiana.

The power outages forced CAP officials in Louisiana to move from their mission base at Baton Rouge. “We’re now operating in Alexandria,” said incident commander Lt. Col. Harry Stafford. “Everything is going well.”

According to Stafford, the relocation to the Alexandria International Airport was necessary to allow the transfer of CAP’s damage assessment photos to the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness.

Capt. Michael James, CAP information officer for the Louisiana Wing, said a low cloud ceiling over the state delayed some scheduled flights. The wing’s aerial reconnaissance mission was expected to continue through the weekend, weather permitting.

Several states away, CAP officials in South Carolina, North Carolina and other Middle East Region states were preparing for the arrival of Hanna, a fast-moving tropical storm cruising steadily for the Atlantic Coast. Forecasters were predicting Hanna could become a hurricane before crashing ashore overnight, somewhere near the northern coast of South Carolina. Tropical storm watches or warnings ran from Georgia to areas just south of New York City.

The latest forecast called on Hanna to make landfall around 2 a.m. Saturday before marching quickly up the Atlantic seaboard and pushing into New England by early Sunday morning.

In advance of the possible severe weather, CAP’s South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia wings were put on alert for the weekend and aircraft and equipment were moved from the coastal areas. In Washington, D.C., members of CAP’s National Capital Wing were preparing to man the D.C. Emergency Operations Center.

Go to www.cap.gov for more information.

Flooding, power outages plague La. after Gustav

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

LOUISIANA -- Though the eye of Hurricane Gustav never reached central Louisiana and the storm's tropical depression incarnation passed through Tuesday, things are still far from normal.

Flooding is prevalent in Alexandria, and at least 90 percent of residents are without electricity -- a commonplace occurrence across the state. Officials predict that days -- perhaps weeks -- will pass before power is fully restored.

Photo by Capt. Roger Smith

A boat run aground by Hurricane Gustav is seen in this photograph taken from a Cessna 182 aircraft during a Mississippi Wing aerial photography mission for the state Emergency Management Agency.

"The roads are covered with water and some are completely impassable," said Capt. Michael James, information officer for the Louisiana Wing. "Many homes and businesses are flooded, and cars and trucks are stalled, with water washing over their hoods."

"Today we have heavy rain, and there is a tornado watch in effect," James said. "The hurricane may be gone, and the tropical depression it has become might look less dangerous on a map, but the hurricane's after-effects can be worse than the hurricane itself."

The conditions pose many challenges, including child care for parents who work in essential jobs and food and household supply shortages. Fuel is also in short supply.

"Times like these bring out the good in some people and try the patience of others," James said. "Neighbors are helping neighbors clear trees and repair damaged homes, but there are instances of road rage and cutting in line at stores and gas stations as well."

Though Civil Air Patrol members have been deployed to affected areas, weather conditions have prohibited most aerial damage assessment missions.

"They are here and ready to serve when conditions improve," James said.

Aircrews from CAP's Alabama and Mississippi wings were flying as weather permitted.

"The weather's still too bad," Col. David Boswell, Alabama Wing vice commander, said Wednesday. Intermittent rainstorms from the remnants of Gustav were keeping an Alabama aircrew from photographing hurricane damage to Dauphin Island, a coastal community off the tip of Mobile Bay.

Mississippi aircrews, meanwhile, were working in flights to provide photos for the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.

"We're dodging thunderstorms," said Capt. Al Sayre, Mississippi Wing director of operations. "We're trying to make aerial reconnaissance assessments for MEMA. We're looking for flood damage, things like that."

Despite the weather, CAP aircrews managed to get in four sorties Wednesday in Mississippi.

La. Wing officer in CAP plane captures digital image of Gustav coming ashore

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Photo by Lt. Col. Thomas "Doc" Barnard

Lt. Col. Thomas "Doc" Barnard, Louisiana Wing standardization and evaluation officer, captured this digital image of Hurricane Gustav from a Civil Air Patrol Cessna 182T during a check ride in Shreveport in northwest Louisiana. Barnard took the photo as the storm was coming ashore along the state's southern coast.

N.C. Wing prepares for Hanna

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

1^st Lt. Don Penven
Deputy Director of Public Affairs
North Carolina Wing

NORTH CAROLINA -- Units along the East Coast have been placed on alert and have begun preparations to conduct disaster relief missions should Tropical Storm Hanna follow its currently forecasted route through Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.

Lt. Col. David Crawford, North Carolina Wing director of operations, notified wing members of the alert order shortly before 5 a.m. Sept. 1. Crawford urged members to "take care of your family and yourself first. Make sure you have your disaster kit ready at home before you begin to consider your CAP response."

Crawford said the wing has more than 1,300 senior and cadet members who may summoned to provide disaster relief missions when called on by the U.S. Air Force Rescue Coordination Center as well as the North Carolina Emergency Operations Center and other state government and local agencies.

"Aerial surveillance as well as ground support will be provided as requested," he said.