Members of the North Central Region,

Facing what many are calling the five-hundred year flood members of the Iowa Wing have flown fifteen missions and delivered approximately 900 photographs supporting the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division (HSEMD) along with the National Weather Service. Mission sorties include the transportation of U.S. Senators Tom Harkin and Charles Grassley, photo reconnaissance, and manning both the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) and the security desk at Linn County Emergency Management Agency.

The professionalism and dedication of the members of the IAWG and it's commander is very evident by their actions. They have done an outstanding job of being proactive in a difficult situation.

Senators Harkin and Grassley visited several cities that are affected by the flooding and held press conferences at each of the locations. "This was an important job for the Civil Air Patrol," said Captain Kim Kirschman, the mission pilot who transported the Senators across the state. "We were able to meet the needs of the senators on short notice which allowed them to maintain their schedule." We are honored to be able the fly both Senators for this important assessment of the damage to their state.

Over eighty of the Iowa’s ninety-nine counties have been declared disaster areas by Iowa Governor Chet Culver. By being designated as a disaster area, the counties become eligible for special aid and opens the way for loans and grants. Flooding has forced the evacuation of several areas across the state, including hospitals and retirement homes.

The dynamics of the mission have changed from general photo reconnaissance to focusing specifically on critical infrastructure in affected areas. “Photos from the CAP flyover provide local responders with critical information to help them make decisions based on potential flooding, said Joyce Flinn, from the HSEMD. “Partnership with Civil Air Patrol provides us with a valuable resource that can provide critical information in both response and recovery.”

We have also had flooding in Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Kansas. I ask you to check your gear and make sure you are ready if called to serve. Please do not self activate. Your chain of command will let you know if your wing/unit has been asked to help. Many members have expressed interest in helping but at this point there isn't much that can be done except our photo recon flights. Many highways into the area are blocked making access impossible. When and if the time comes, the Iowa Wing will request any help that is needed and this will be coordinated through Colonel Joe Casler and our Wing Commanders.

The flooding has also impacted the Iowa Wing as the Eastern Iowa Cadet Squadron has lost their meeting facility in downtown Cedar Rapids so they are meeting at the Red Cross facility where the North Central Region HQ is located. At some point we may put together a joint effort by all of our Wings and the Region HQs to help our Iowa Squadron obtain the materials they need to function again. Uniforms, a United States flag, etc are a few things that come to mind at this time.

We will periodically update you on our efforts in this crisis.

Please keep the victims of this disaster and especially our brothers and sisters of the Iowa Wing in your thoughts and prayers.

Steve W. Kuddes, Colonel, CAP
Commander, North Central Region, Civil Air Patrol