last modified: Friday, August 6, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MAXWELL AFB, Ala. — Civil Air Patrol members are now on alert for possible missions related to Determined Promise 2004, a multi-agency exercise to test the nation’s ability to respond to terrorist attacks.

The exercise began today and will continue through Aug. 10. Major commands responsible for the exercise are the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and the U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM).

The U.S. Joint Forces Command developed the scenario for Determined Promise, which will test the nation’s ability to respond to chemical, radiological and explosive hazards. The simulated attacks are taking place in Virginia and California.

The CAP California and Virginia wings are participating in the exercise, and others may be called in as the exercise progresses.  In California, CAP is working from the Joint Information Center in San Pedro with both operations and public information support. A CAP communications base is also open in Costa Mesa.

In Virginia, CAP units have established a communications system to quickly identify available members who are certified to perform various types of missions. Virginia Wing incident commanders are on standby, and wing public affairs officers are also providing public information support.

A large number of federal and state agencies are involved in Determined Promise. CAP, the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is serving as a resource for first responders.

As an all-volunteer organization, CAP is able to provide cost-effective aerial and ground support for these emergency responders. Over the last two years, CAP has installed satellite digital imaging systems in many of its aircraft, allowing mission observers to capture digital images from the air and transmit them in near real time to operators on the ground, using satellite phone connections and e-mail. CAP may be called upon to use some of these SDIS systems during the Determined Promise exercise.

CAP’s participation in Determined Promise 04 will be updated regularly throughout the exercise.

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