Crews From Across The Nation Offer To Help

The citizen volunteers of Civil Air Patrol's Texas Wing, operating from their new mission base in Houston, are receiving offers of help from across the nation as they launch dozens of flights each day to photograph damage wrought by Hurricane Ike.

Lt. Col. Dennis Cima -- commander of Texas Wing's Group 4, which includes much of the storm-ravaged areas of the Lone Star State -- said about 65 members gathered at the West Houston Airport Thursday to aid the relief effort. Six CAP aircraft are stationed at the airport, with four more inbound, he said.

More planes and members are expected to arrive at the mission base over the next few days as CAP's damage assessment flights continue for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 1st Air Force and the Texas State Operations Center.

Texas Wing Commander Col. Joe Smith said although CAP members were among those devastated by the hurricane, they still came forth to assist. "Everybody's pitching in saying, 'What can I do to help?'" he said.

"We're Texans and we're proud," said Cima. "We take care of each other."

CAP's assistance was necessary after Ike made landfall early Saturday, damaging thousands of homes and businesses along the Texas and Louisiana coasts and knocking out essential services like power, water and fuel services. Aircrews have spent much of the past four days photographing critical infrastructure like roads, bridges and power lines, assisting state and federal officials who are working diligently with local officials and private sector partners to restore these services.

CAP flew 55 sorties, logging more than 130 flying hours, over East Texas and southwestern Louisiana on Tuesday and Wednesday in support of the relief efforts. About 30 more flights are planned Thursday, mostly in East Texas.

As the recovery missions continue, Smith said other Civil Air Patrol crews from Arkansas, Oklahoma and other wings in CAP's Southwest Region are poised to pitch in to relieve Texas Wing crews who have been in the skies above Galveston and other East Texas coastal communities for nearly a week now.

"All over the country, not just here in the Southwest Region, crews are ready," said Smith, who has fielded offers of assistance from as far away as North Carolina. "It makes you feel good that all these people are wanting to help."

FMI: www.cap.gov/visitors/news/2008_hurricane_season/ike_photos/