| June 1997 | For the NJW ES Community | Vol 3 No. 2 |
| Dates to Remember
21 Jun , 12,26 Jul - Dog Team Training - MIV
Missions Missions Missions New Jersey Wing has been busy, with non-overdue aircraft missions running slightly ahead of last year's record. More importantly, we have had a major lost person search in Sussex County. NJ, NY and PA Wings deployed over 65 personnel for two days to search for a lost 35 year old man with Down's Syndrome who became lost in a rainstorm near Sparta VOR. The heavily wooded, mountainous and swampy area provided a great challenge for searchers Hazards included the obvious, as well as bears. Our searchers produced important clues, with the CAP dog team from Binghamton NY finding tracks (at 0100 hrs!) and NJ Trackers following them mile to an area where they had been obliterated by other searchers. These critical clues led the mission managers to extend the search area further in that direction,
which led to the discovery of the man, in generally good condition.
Northeast Region FEMA Drill April 3rd brought New Jersey together with flight crews from New York and Pennsylvania for a landmark demonstration of CAP capability to FEMA Region II, Army Readiness Group and AFNSEP. The scenario was a hurricane that swept through New York Harbor. CAP aircraft carrying TV cameras and video compression gear sent real time pictures of the "devastation" from Raratan Bay and River over 80 km back to Fort Dix headquarters. This demonstration of CAP capability has led to a new and closer relationship with FEMA across
the Nation. Our challenge now is to deploy the equipment in New Jersey, and train for its
effective use.
Operation Bullfrog 97 Fifty four CAP members from New Jersey and Pennsylvania Wings assisted more than twenty units from all branches of the Military Reserve and National Guard in the Joint Training exercise OPERATION BULLFROG 97. The exercise began on Friday 6 June 1997 and continued through Sunday 8 June. BULLFROG is one of two annual exercises brought together by the Joint Training Task Force 1 (JTTF1) to prepare our reserve and guard forces using joint exercises to provide low cost, high fidelity training that simulates likely mission scenarios. BULLFROG 97 focused upon the recovery from attack and evacuation of an "Embassy" on Fort Dix, a convoy of the evacuees through the countryside to a safe house, convoy evacuation, and medical treatment of the casualties. Additional training in search and rescue, reconnaissance, base and perimeter security, assault, infiltration, and air cover was conducted at the Air Force's Warren Grove Range. CAP provided communications for the JTTF1 controllers or referees, "Embassy" Radio, a safety
network, and for the Naval Weather unit. Additionally, CAP provided spanish speaking "local
Police" as well as the embassy staffers to be evacuated.
World Wide Web ES department will have updates on the New Jersey Wing web page at: |
New State Agreement A new State MOU is in the hands of the NJSP OEM for approval. A final meeting is scheduled later this month to iron out a few details, and conform it to the "prototype MOU" being prepared at National HQ. Our expectations are that it will be at National for approval in its final form before the end of
June. In addition to including our new missions, the plan includes several benefits from the State,
such as exemption from tolls and fees, and access to State buildings.
Knives in CAP The State of New Jersey defines any knife with a blade over 5 inches in length as a weapon, (NJSA 2C:39-9.1) and forbids sale to anyone under 18 years of age. Col. Convery has declared that no NJ Wing member is to carry a knife with a blade over 5 inches while in uniform. There will be a policy letter out on this subject, and on knife safety later this month. All
commanders should inform the members of your unit of this requirement.
ES Department Staff There have been administrative delays in processing CAPF-101 cards and mission reimbursement. This has been due to the fact that Capt. Maneely has been on maternity leave. (Kenneth L. Junior is doing just fine) and Cadet Mark Farren was temporarally reassigned to the Wing Conference. These backlogs have been largely worked off, with Capt Maneely processing all overdue missions (except those where the MC has not submitted paperwork) last week, and Cadet Farren processing literally hundreds of cards in the last month. The ES staff has had three members join since the beginning of the year, but none of these are processing paperwork. The department desparately needs help in processing missions and qualification cards. These positions require several weeks of training, so we need you to participate regularly. Applications for positions on wing staff should be forwarded to NJW/CS LtCol. Alex for
processing.
Training The new Tracking School is scheduled for the week of July and is designed for Ground Teamers who have completed Advanced or Expert GSAR schools. Graduates will have achieved tracking competency, and gain the rating of tracker. The school uses the techniques of Indian tracking, merged with specialized techniques taken from Army Ranger School. There is a new Tracker Patch for graduates of this school. The Commander of this school is C/LtCol Jess Hamilton (Soon to be TFO). Jess has demonstrated an amazing level of competency in both the art of tracking and in the ability to teach the skills. 1st Lt Ismael Lugo is heading the Expert School (formerly Advanced) to take place this summer. It is following the traveling model established by Lt Cheever last year. C/LtCol Eric Johnston is behind the basic school this year. It will be at Fort Dix and Lebanon State forest and promises to be an outstanding school with great teachers. Applications were mailed to eligible applicants this week.
Command Post The commander has authorized NJ Wing to acquire a vehicle to serve as a mobile command post. We are seeking donation of a coach style bus with the following Required characteristics: 1) Wheelchair accessable. 2) Storage/luggage compartment underneath and separate from interior. 3) Roadable and sound condition of exterior and running gear. Anyone with leads on acquiring such a vehicle, please contact LtCol Schober.
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