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WASHINGTON WING CIVIL AIR PATROL Headquarters Physical Address: 1155 Barnes Blvd. McChord AFB, WA 98438 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 4459 McChord AFB, WA 98438 253.982.7774 253.982.7779 (fax) www.wawg.cap.gov |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 29, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Local Community Volunteers Conduct Statewide Emergency Services Drill “Operation Silver Viper”
Puyallup, Wa. – Severe flooding, earthquakes, windstorms, volcanoes, missing hikers or aircraft. Each citizen of Washington State has the potential of disaster striking in a very personal way. When disaster strikes, it is natural to look for help. The Washington State Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) spent the last week of June training to be one of those sources of aid. Since it was established in 1941, members of CAP have
been involved in rescue and disaster recovery in many ways. But to be effective when the need arises, the volunteers of CAP spend hours each month training to become skilled in the different tasks required to respond to most emergencies. They also work with the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) to develop training missions for learning new skills and testing the ones that have already been practiced.
According to CAP’s Washington Wing Commander, Col David Maxwell, “Washington Wing Is Prepared! In order to maintain a high level of readiness, CAP’s volunteer members undergo training exercises which are often conducted in partnership with other emergency service providers such as the Salvation Army which provided excellent food services for this weekend’s activities. Washington Wings Incident Command Staff faced unknown simulated missions, which they performed as if they were actual missions. During this exercise the scenarios included aerial imagery of critical infrastructure such as bridges and rail lines, aerial and ground searches, disaster relief and support for Federal, state and local agencies. I am extremely proud of the cadets and seniors of Washington Wing. These individuals consistently give their time and talent to support the community, state and nation when called upon in times of need.”
Over one hundred CAP volunteers from all over the state gathered at Thun Airfield in Puyallup to participate in a practice exercise guided by the AFRCC that consisted of several mock emergencies. One of
the emergencies was the scenario of an aircraft that was reported missing in Western Washington. While aircraft and ground crews were searching for the "downed aircraft", another mock emergency was reported as a missing hiker in an area north of Mt. Rainier. Another aircrew and ground team was dispatched to search that area. A more long term mock emergency had been created the week before in the guise of an earthquake, and aircraft flew over 20 times during the week, taking digital photos of structures that would be sensitive to earthquake damage.
The participants of these types of exercises are both teen-aged Cadets and adult Senior Members. The Cadets learn skills that allow them to become part of search and rescue ground teams, participate in radio communications, direct air traffic on the airport flight line and other critical functions during missions whether they are mock or real. The Senior members also have many tasks to perform from the pilots who fly the missions and their passengers who would be their "eyes" in a search to the administrative jobs that must be performed to support the rescue or relief efforts. The Cadets and Senior Members of Washington Wing who braved the long hours of heat for this training mission came away better prepared to help when emergency strikes their community, whether it is a national disaster like the flooding of December 2007 or a more personal disaster like a missing hiker or aircraft. The volunteers of CAP are dedicated to being available to their communities whenever the potential of disaster becomes a reality.
Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit, congressionally chartered 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 is an incredible force multiplier for National, State and Local government agencies due to their many capabilities which include a huge fleet of ground base vehicles, ground and aerial reconnaissance and communications equipment, Search and Rescue and Disaster Relief equipment, well trained volunteers and the largest organized fleet of civilian aircraft in the world. CAP has been performing missions for America for more than 67 years.
For more information about CAP, visit www.CAP.gov or call 1-800-FLY-CAP
Civil Air Patrol Media contacts:
1st Lt Ruth Peterson ♦ Silver Viper Mission Information Officer
1st Lt Dave Hobley ♦ Silver Viper Mission Information Officer
Lt Col Kathy Maxwell ♦ Washington Wing Interim Public Affairs Officer
Julie DeBardelaben ♦ National Headquarters Deputy Director Public Affairs
Steve Cox ♦ Public Affairs Manager
Washington Wing
Western Region
CAP recruiting
Natioonal Headquarters
For more information about CAP, visit www.CAP.gov or call 1-800-FLY-CAP
Civil Air Patrol Media contacts:
1st Lt Ruth Peterson ♦ Silver Viper Mission Information Officer
1st Lt Dave Hobley ♦ Silver Viper Mission Information Officer
Lt Col Kathy Maxwell ♦ Washington Wing Interim Public Affairs Officer
Julie DeBardelaben ♦ National Headquarters Deputy Director Public Affairs
Steve Cox ♦ Public Affairs Manager
Washington Wing
Western Region
CAP recruiting
Natioonal Headquarters