Civil Air Patrol: Auxiliary to the Air Force

by Senior Airman Jared Duhon
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

8/7/2013 - DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del.  -- Hurricane Sandy was the deadliest and costliest hurricane of the 2012 hurricane season, as it affected 24 states with damages totaling $68 billion.

Many organizations across the east coast helped with recovery efforts after the powerful storm passed, including the Delaware chapter of the Civil Air Patrol.

Supporting the recovery efforts after Hurricane Sandy was one of the largest missions in CAP's history. Training for hurricane assistance and recovery missions was conducted August 3, 2013, at Dover Air Force Base, Del.

"We are big on training," said CAP Capt. Robbie McCray, Delaware wing director of communications. "Our three missions are emergency services, cadet programs and aerospace education."

The CAP is a volunteer based organization providing Federal Emergency Management Agency alongside federal, state and local authorities an accurate assessment of storm damage. The auxiliary to the Air Force also provided help where it was needed by means of images, equipment and personnel.

CAP Col. William Bernfeld, Delaware Wing commander, said CAP members processed more than 158,000 photos of the Hurricane Sandy's destruction. The photos were used by FEMA, giving them a more complete picture of the destruction.

"We used the lessons learned from last year's hurricane to drive this year's training," said Bernfeld. "This will prepare us for future natural disasters."

Hurricane recovery is not the only time the CAP provides emergency service to communities.

"We do at least 90 percent of the inland search and rescue in the country," said McCray. "That includes children, adults and aircraft."

CAP provides support for local, state and federal agencies including the Air Force. They also serve the community directly by providing aerospace education and youth cadet programs.

"I think Civil Air Patrol is a great way to meet people, strengthen your leadership skills and just become a better person in general," said Tanner Brennan, CAP cadet chief master sergeant "As you move up the CAP chain of command and earn positions, your leadership skills are tested."

Bernfeld believes the recently implemented CAP hurricane training will help to provide well trained volunteers when they are called on to serve the community again in a time of crisis.