On Jan. 12, Hawaii Wing Civil Air Patrol successfully concluded its emergency services biennial evaluation, conducted by the U.S. Air Force.
Every two years, the Air Force evaluates and grades the performance of CAP during simulated emergency and disaster scenarios.
Over the course of a week, the Air Force simulated a missing aircraft, a boat in distress, a tsunami on the western shores of the state, and disruption of cell phone services, all occurring simultaneously and on different islands.
The goal was to assess CAP’s ability to operate a large Incident Command Post, fly photography and search and rescue missions, perform ground team operations, and coordinate with multiple agencies such as the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Some evaluation flights were impacted by real-world adverse weather conditions, but with personnel already on alert for the evaluation, Hawaii Wing was poised to assist with an immediate real-world emergency response at HIEMA’s request.
Mission bases were manned on Hawaii Island, Oahu, Maui, and Kauai, with both cadet (youth) and adult members participating in the evaluation.
CAP members are dedicated civilian volunteers who develop life-and-property-saving skills through CAP’s year-round emergency services training program, augmented by training opportunities through FEMA, the Hawaii Office of Homeland Security, and other local organizations.
Reflecting on the positive evaluation grade awarded by the Air Force, Lt. Col. Dana McLaughlin said, “We work hard to always be at the ready to assist our community, state, and nation. It’s great that our hard work paid off this week and that our search and rescue capabilities were recognized by the Air Force.”
McLaughlin is Hawaii Wing’s Emergency Services Training Officer and was named the Wing’s “Outstanding Performer” by the Air Force evaluators.
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