Oregon Civil Air Patrol Prepares for Major Exercise

The CAP will conduct aerial and ground operations across the state to respond to numerous fictional incidents that could involve elements of terrorist activities.

Cessna 182 Search And Rescue Aircraft such as this one will be utilized throughout the state during the CAP Evaluated Exercise next weekend.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The Oregon U.S. Civil Air Patrol is gearing up for a major USAF graded exercise. Spokesman Thomas Traver says it involves state wide capability of the CAP to conduct multiple emergency operations based on real world potential incidents within Oregon.

It happens August 25th and 26th, Traver said. "A special USAF evaluation team will inspect and grade the CAP wing on it's ability to address numerous scenarios involving Homeland Security, Search and Rescue and Disaster Relief operations."

The Exercise, which happens every two years across the country, is based on real world potential actions that would require the response capabilities of the wing to assist local and federal agencies in time of emergency.

Operating out of the CAP's Incident Command Center located at the Aurora Airport, the CAP will conduct aerial and ground operations across the state to respond to numerous fictional incidents that could involve elements of terrorist activities, air search and rescue as well as potential local natural disasters such as Tsunami's and earthquakes such as the one that hit Peru this week and that local officials expect is imminent for the Pacific Coast.

As the official civilian, volunteer auxiliary of the USAF, the U.S. CAP performs over 95% of all air search and rescue missions across the country as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center at Tyndal AFB. Florida.