last modified: Wednesday, August 18, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Civil Air Patrol is using satellite-transmitted digital imagery systems (SDIS) to help Florida emergency responders in the aftermath of Hurricane Charley.

MAXWELL AFB, Ala. — Members of this civilian volunteer auxiliary of the Air Force are using the CAP-owned SDIS equipment and CAP aircraft to take digital photos from air and ground. They are transmitting the high-resolution images via satellite phone and e-mail from the air for state and federal officials to use in damage assessment and recovery planning.

CAP is also helping locate and silence more than 700 Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) that have been activated as a result of aircraft and boats damaged during the storm. According to CAP Florida Wing Commander Col. Matt Sharkey of Winter Park, Fla., the ELTs must be accounted for and silenced as quickly as possible so that officials can determine which ELT signals are resulting from true emergencies.

Some 250 CAP members from seven different states are involved in the effort, including CAP members from Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Virginia and CAP National Headquarters at Maxwell AFB, Ala.  In addition to Florida Wing’s resident aircraft, other wings have brought in aircraft and equipment of their own, for a total of 25 aircraft and four SDIS systems currently in use.

As of this morning, CAP had already flown 72 sorties and contributed more than 192 hours to the Charley relief effort. CAP officials expect their members to continue working at this level for at least another three days. Thereafter, the Florida Wing is expected to support hurricane-related missions for at least another two months. Florida has one of CAP’s largest and most active wings, with 86 squadrons and more than 4,000 members throughout the state.

According to Sharkey, CAP has been capturing and transmitting images of critical infrastructure sites, including schools, airports, floodways, shelters and health care facilities. They are also transmitting images of residential and business damages.

“CAP’s SDIS is proving to be a valuable asset for the state,” Sharkey said. “Since CAP is an all-volunteer organization, we’re able to provide the service for about $90 per hour for the aircraft, plus the cost of the satellite transmissions. The state agencies tell me they consider this a ‘go-getting system’ and they’ve been impressed with our ability to go up and get the images they want – quickly and accurately.” CAP transmits the exact latitude and longitude along with each image, providing near real-time information about precise locations.

Sharkey said CAP members first began working hurricane-related missions last Wednesday, when Hurricane Bonnie was identified as a threat. CAP provided aerial images of traffic flow as Floridians jammed the highways in a massive evacuation.

When the more devastating Hurricane Charley swept into Florida on Bonnie’s heels, CAP members were already on alert. Under the auspices of the U.S. Northern Command and 1st Air Force, and in response to requests from federal and state emergency management agencies, CAP began aerial and ground missions. CAP members made up the first damage assessment ground teams deployed in Charlotte County and used the SDIS equipment to transmit early photos from remote damaged areas back to officials at the Florida State Emergency Operations Center.

CAP members also helped manage temporary flight restrictions imposed around the damage sites. Those restrictions made it possible for high-level government decision-makers, including President George Bush, to fly into the area to survey the damage early in the recovery efforts.

Sixteen CAP members are onsite at a command center in Jacksonville to provide pilot briefing and debriefing, weather information and logistical support for aircrews flying various hurricane-related missions.

Even with the massive effort underway for hurricane damage support, Sharkey said the CAP Florida Wing continues to receive requests for other missions as well. The wing expects to provide aerial assessment for fires now burning in the Eglin Air Force Base area and may also provide reconnaissance flights for a rocket launch later this month.

Civil Air Patrol is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization with almost 62,000 members nationwide. CAP performs 95% of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counterdrug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members take a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the almost 27,000 young people currently participating in CAP cadet programs. CAP has been performing missions for America for more than 60 years.

NOTE: We will provide regular updates to this press release over the next few days as new information becomes available. CAP National Headquarters Public Relations Specialist Melanie LeMay is onsite in Tampa. You may reach her at any time by mobile phone at 334-787-0352.

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