Flies Missions In Virginia -- California On Standby

Civil Air Patrol members in Virginia and California supported the national Determined Promise homeland security exercise today with both aerial and ground support.

In Virginia, CAP provided aerial photography of simulated attack sites at the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Included in those sites were the Hampton Roads, Monitor Merrimac and James River bridges affected in a simulated truck bomb explosion. Also included was the Richmond International Raceway, which was affected by a simulated Sarin gas attack.

To capture and transmit these images, CAP members used a satellite digital imaging system (SDIS). With this equipment, CAP members can capture images with a digital camera and then transmit them by laptop computer via a satellite phone connection to e-mail addresses on the ground. They are also able to transmit along with each image its description, the time when the image was captured, the altitude from which the image was captured, and the latitude/longitude of the location.

California-specific activity related to Determined Promise has been dubbed "Golden Guardian." CAP is continuing to support Golden Guardian with more than 30 California Wing members. The wing has established a mission base for communications support and has three SDIS-equipped aircraft involved.

California Wing members are working in the exercise control room, where the flow of events is coordinated. They are also working with public information officers from a variety of agencies in the Joint Information Center.

The Determined Promise exercise will continue through August 10.

FMI: www.cap.gov