As Hurricane Isabel
looms on the Eastern seaboard, the all-volunteer U.S. Air Force
auxiliary known as Civil Air Patrol is helping the Air Force manage
storm-related operations.
The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC), located at
Langley AFB, Va., has moved its operations to CAP’s National
Technology Center (NTC) at the Defense Supply Center Richmond in
Richmond, Va. Langley AFB lies in the projected path of the
hurricane, which is expected to hit the area Thursday
afternoon.
Earlier this year, the AFRCC relocation team surveyed the
facilities and determined the NTC was equipped with skilled
personnel and equipment to support the U.S. Inland search and
rescue system. The NTC normally provides support for CAP operations
and communications nationwide, maintenance for CAP’s
communications network and hosts several mission-critical Internet
systems.
“We understand what the AFRCC needs because we do similar
work,” said Pete Wharton, manager of the NTC. “If the
AFRCC rescue controllers are unable to work from their center at
Langley, we are able to support them with the office space,
computer network connections, telephones, and radios –
virtually everything they need – to operate as usual.
Plus, they’re already familiar with us.”
CAP conducts more than 95 percent of all AFRCC-tasked inland
search and rescue missions throughout the U.S. and works daily with
AFRCC staff. “For the AFRCC, this facility provides us
with one of the best remote operating locations we’ve
seen,” said Maj. Dave Martens, AFRCC Relocation Coordinator.
“We really appreciate CAP’s support.”
On the local storm front, CAP has placed its aircraft and
volunteers in several Eastern states on alert for aerial and ground
search and rescue, damage assessment and disaster relief. States
affected will likely include Virginia, North and South Carolina,
Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
At CAP’s National
Capital Wing in Washington, D.C., CAP aircraft normally not kept in
hangars have been moved to safety. Wing commander Col. Frank
McConnell said members likely will be tasked to do aerial
photography for damage assessment as early as Friday morning.
“Our region has just installed new digital satellite
imaging equipment,” McConnell said. “It allows us to
take high-resolution photos from the air and immediately transmit
them by e-mail using a digital satellite Internet connection. This
technology will help officials determine more clearly exactly what
damage has occurred.”
In North Carolina, CAP took aerial photographs today that will
be used after the storm for damage comparison. North Carolina Wing
commander Col. Harold Schaffer said the wing’s aircraft had
been moved inland to Burlington, N.C., where an incident command
system is set up. CAP members are gathering in Burlington and plan
to spend tonight and Thursday night on standby for mission
assignments.
CAP’s Pennsylvania Wing has officially activated its
emergency operations center at Fort Indiantown Gap in Annville, Pa.
The wing is moving its aircraft and personnel to key locations
throughout the state in the event Isabel hits the state on
Friday.
CAP chaplains in Virginia and the Carolinas are on standby to
provide support for responders and victims of the anticipated
storm.
“The most gratifying part of our preparation has been the
outpouring of support from CAP volunteers from other areas of the
country,” McConnell said. “I’ve been contacted by
many of our region and wing commanders with offers of additional
personnel and equipment to meet this crisis. This is where you
really see the advantage of CAP’s large network of members
and resources.”