Thursday, October 24, 2019

Green Flag Presentation


By Capt Rivas, photos by Lt Col Tinnirello

Capt Hollerbach gave a presentation on a major program the Civil Air Patrol supports, Green Flag. Green Flag is the name given to the US Air Force’s realistic air-land integration training program in support of US and allied forces. CAP’s role is to support training of ground forces in their use of air assets. CAP also provides training and support to CAP’s Emergency Services mission, including disaster relief and search and rescue.

CAP C-182 and C-206 aircraft are aircraft modified with full motion video systems similar to those used by USAF. Once aloft video is transmitted in real time to ground receivers either being used by military units in training or linked into Federal/State emergency communications centers. 


The aircraft is flown by three highly skilled CAP members and may operate in challenging conditions, including instrument conditions, mountainous terrain, and/or at night. The aircrew are trained in the use of the sensor ball camera, managing the mission (in the air), communicating with ground teams and other air assets, and of course flying the aircraft. Not all crew members must be pilots, but can expect to be trained to multiple crew positions.


Capt Hollerbach is a CAP Mission Pilot and is about to enter her 3rd year as a crew member of Green Flag. She is trained in the use of the sensor ball and mission management.



CAP Nationwide Communications Exercise


By Capt Rivas, photo by 2nd Lt Terry Baldwin

Members of SQ188 are currently participating in a nationwide radio communications exercise orchestrated by the United States Air Force (“USAF”).  USAF gave CAP 24hrs notice for the start of the 5 day exercise. 
The scenario is that it’s a “very bad day” and all the commercial phone/internet infrastructure has been impacted, so all we have is HF radio and maybe VHF.  In California Wing (“CAWG”), several HF stations are manned most days by CAP members who have radios at home; and some members will travel into a base to use the radios at that facility.  Radio stations will report in, messages will be exchanged, and training will be conducted.