June 14th 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CIVIL AIR PATROL RESPOND TO STATE OF EMERGENCY

“The professionalism and dedication of the members of the IAWG and it's commander is very evident by their actions, said Colonel Steve W. Kuddes, Civil Air Patrol North Central Region Commander. “ They have done an outstanding job of being proactive in a difficult situation.”

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.

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.'

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.”

'Our hearts go out to our fellow Iowans during this very difficult time,' said Colonel Ronald Scheitzach, Wing Commander, Iowa Wing. 'Words alone cannot express the gratitude I feel for the members of the Iowa Wing who are sharing their time and expertise in assisting the state in this time of need.'

The Iowa Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with over 330 officers and cadets across the state. Resources include qualified ground and aircrews, CAP aircraft, ground vehicles and communication equipment, distributed across the state for rapid deployment. CAP volunteers also performs homeland security, disaster relief and counterdrug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies.

For more information about the Iowa Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, please contact the Iowa Wing Director of Public Affairs, Captain Christopher Colvin. He can be reached at pa@iawg.cap.gov or 515 965-5517.

Photos:

  The Cedar River is well out of its banks in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

  Senators Harkin and Grassley pose with Captain Kim Kirschman shortly before leaving to visit flooded cities across the state

  Flood water approaches a water treatment facility in Colfax, Iowa

Photographs provided by: Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division & the Iowa Wing, Civil Air Patrol /