Local Civil Air Patrol joins Air Force exercises

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Coleman
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  The Civil Air Patrol is a non-profit volunteer organization that supports 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.

The Civil Air Patrol in Fairbanks recently participated in Red Flag-Alaska by providing a small force of "target" aircraft, which provided both the Air Force and CAP crews with valuable training and experience.

CAP activities are categorized under three mission areas: aerospace education, cadet programs and emergency services. Over the past 20 years the areas have expanded to include homeland security, drug interdiction and prevention, disaster relief, and tissue and blood transportation.

Starting right before World War II, the CAP contributed to the war efforts by flying more than 500,000 hours, sinking two enemy submarines and saving hundreds of crash victims.

The CAP has been called to service an array of crisis scenarios. They were the first aircraft airborne after the Sept. 11 attacks and were the only aircraft to respond to the Valdez oil spill, where they flew approximately 550 hours.

The state of Alaska, while larger than Texas, California and Montana combined, has a smaller road system than Rhode Island. Because of this, Alaska must be seen from the air. One of every 64 Alaska residents has a pilots' license, a number six times higher per capita than any other place in the United States. Alaska's unmatched general aviation use, combined with the state's unforgiving environment, results in more search and rescue opportunities for the CAP than any other state.

Simulating opposing forces, Eielson's 71st Composite Squadron recently provided the first ever Civil Air Patrol support to the Red Flag-Alaska exercise. During two missions a CAP deHavilland DHC-2 Beaver simulated a low flying bush plane, and with most fighter planes up high, the Beaver attempted to sneak in low on a predetermined route.

"The lack of precedent made approval for CAP's involvement in the exercise a challenge," said Lt. Col. Matt Rytting, a CAP commander, "and the missions were cancelled at one point during the planning process."

The Air Force viewed the CAP's recent involvement in the exercise as a test case. Given the successes, expanded future involvement is expected.

"As a test case we proved the CAP can be safely and effectively integrated into a major military exercise," said Colonel Rytting, "We also proved the CAP can provide extremely cost-effective training of considerable value to the Air Force."

"We were excited, and surprised, to make it to the target on both missions," said Colonel Rytting. 

Colonel Rytting said that the CAP achieved their objective during the exercises but was "shot down" during their escape each time. They did, however, highlight the difficulty of finding and targeting a low and slow target, providing invaluable training and lessons learned.

The CAP is expected to be involved in future Red Flag exercises here, as well as at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. 

"At this point, we are working on being involved in all exercises with multiple airplanes," said Capt. Curtis Cebulski, a CAP commander. 

CAP's cadet programs are based on aviation, making it a unique youth-oriented program in America. Young people aged 12 to 21 are introduced to aviation through CAP's cadet program. Cadets compete for academic scholarships while undergoing aerospace education, leadership training, physical fitness and moral leadership, as well as participate in ground searches and flag presentations. 

Cadets who earn cadet officer status may enter the Air Force as an airman 1st class, rather than an airman basic. Ten percent of Air Force Academy appointees are former CAP cadets. In addition, West Point and Annapolis admit many CAP cadets each year.