Bad guys for a day

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Coleman
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaksa --  While most training exercises during RED FLAG-Alaska consist of military aircraft flying against other military aircraft, the local Civil Air Patrol tested fighter pilots' ability to identify "low and slow" aircraft that could be a threat.

Eielson's 71st Composite Civil Air Patrol squadron became uniquely positioned to provide low and slow support to the Air Force when it gained a new commander and operations officer whose day jobs in the 353rd Combat Training Squadron directly support planning and execution of RED FLAG - Alaska and other exercises. Lt. Col. Matt Rytting is the 353rd Combat Training Squadron chief of advanced programs and CAP squadron commander while Maj. Steven Brewer is a CAP pilot and 353rd Combat Training Squadron joint forces command operations officer.

"With Emergency Locator Transmitters and other CAP searches declining rapidly in Alaska, mission development became very important. I wanted members to feel a strong sense of purpose and saw an obvious opportunity to use CAP assets and crews to support the Air Force. Having several people in our squadron who are active duty Air Force pilots and Department of Defense civilians working at Red Flag gave us needed experience, knowledge and contacts to make these missions happen," said Colonel Rytting. "It wasn't easy. With no direct precedent, many decision makers thought the easy answer to proposed CAP participation was 'no'."

After some effort, all agreed to run a test case with a single aircraft participating for two days in October 2008. 

CAP aircraft, a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver simulating a "Red Air" An-2 Colt, made it to the target and dropped its simulated troops before being killed on its way out. The rest is history. We've added another plane each exercise and flew in RF-A 10-1 with four CAP aircraft.

The aircraft included in the exercise were the DHC-2 Beaver, a C-185, a C-172 and a PA-30 Twin Comanche. 

"CAP provides low and slow intercept training in a combat environment that's unavailable anywhere else. The low and slow flight profile of CAP aircraft provides unique three dimensional intercept challenges to aircraft normally operating at 350+ knots and 20,000 feet," said Colonel Rytting. "CAP planes have made it to the target in four of six missions, proving the need for the provided training."

There's great satisfaction in providing valuable training to those who protect our nation. Like any others, we thoroughly enjoy the great Alaskan flying too. You can see caribou, moose, Vipers and Raptors...all in the same mission. There's added excitement when we make it to our target against all odds added Colonel Rytting.

CAPs mission is to support the Air Force during times of crisis by performing humanitarian services and often providing services to the Air Force, to include Eielson, through support agreements.

Their involvement in Red Flag not only provides CAP crew members with hours of flying time, but also provides them with a unique experience.

"I think it's a great opportunity for CAP crews to get the experience in RF-A because it's not something most people would ever get to participate in. It helps civilians understand a small part of what the Air Force does," said Major Brewer.

CAP only flew two of the four planned missions for this RED FLAG due to weather and funding as well as a real world search and rescue mission.