22 June 2008

CIVIL AIR PATROL 'VALUABLE ASSET'
TO STATE, FEDERAL AGENCIES

“I’m impressed with the Civil Air Patrol’s staffing at the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) and their willingness to take on the missions assigned to them,” said Dr. Philip Pitzen, Protective Security Advisor for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. “Beyond that, is the quality of product they deliver. The Civil Air Patrol has been a valuable asset to the concerted effort for flood response.“

Since the flooding has occurred, the Iowa Wing of the Civil Air Patrol has been tasked by state and federal agencies to photograph and provide information regarding the security and integrity of critical infrastructures such as the Lock and Dams along the Mississippi River, local government buildings and levees. All of these images have been delivered to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in Washington D.C.

“Seeing the cooperative attitude of all the agencies in the SEOC and the compassion they demonstrate for the citizens of Iowa gives me great pride,” said Lt Colonel Eric Schneider, Iowa Wing Vice Commander.

Lieutenant Terry Kruse of Lone Tree, flew missions as a photographer stated, 'it is truly amazing to me the devastation and destruction that the water can cause. I try to remind myself when I'm upset about an inconvenience that I might experience because of the flooding that I could have lost my business, home or a loved one to the ravages of these floods. My little pain will end in a few minutes most times, but for others it will go on for months or a lifetime.”

Civil Air Patrol Incident Commander and Cedar Rapids resident, Colonel Mike Krenz said, 'watching the response of Iowan's to the recent events reaffirms my desire to live and work amidst people that are as willing to help others as help themselves.'

Earlier in the week, the Civil Air Patrol provided transport for Senators Tom Harkin and Chuck Grassley as they toured the disaster areas across the state. “This historic flooding has caused so much hurt and so much damage throughout Iowa,' said Senator Grassley. 'Senator Harkin and I wanted to tour the devastation and let the thousands of victims know that we will do everything we can to bring much needed relief from the federal government. The Civil Air Patrol’s flight service provided for a prime example of representative government that is allowing us to bring Iowans' concerns to Washington.”

Senator Harkin added, 'I have been a long time supporter of the Civil Air Patrol and appreciate their on-going efforts in the recovery process.'

Civil Air Patrol members have manned the State Emergency Operations Center and Linn County Emergency Management Agency security desk, flown over twenty missions across the state and provided over 1,800 photographs to FEMA, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security , Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Department of Agriculture.

The Iowa Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with over 340 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

Members from the Iowa Wing provided over 1,800 photographs similar to those pictured to assist local, state and federal officials throughout the disaster. (Click on the thumbnails  to see the full size images.)

Photographs provided by: Iowa Wing, Civil Air Patrol