Missouri Civil Air Patrol conducting exercise near Jefferson City

On June 26-28, members of the Missouri Wing, Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, is conducting an emergency services exercise at the Missouri Army National Guard Ike Skelton Training Site near Jefferson City.

According to the Incident Commander (IC), Lt. Col. Raun Hamilton, the purpose of the exercise is to conduct “Lane Training” using small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS or drones). Each “Lane” will simulate and exercise a different scenario. These scenarios will cover search and rescue (SAR) for a lost hiker, conduct photo evaluation of a building, aerial photography to produce a map, and route reconnaissance to determine availability for vehicle use.

The exercise will start at 5 p.m. with participants checking in at ISTS on Friday evening. Flying and training will start at 8 a.m. and conclude at 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.  The incident command post will be located at ISTS.

With more than 2,250 sUAS stations, CAP is the nation’s largest civilian operator of FAA-registered drones. The crafts’ capabilities include providing rapid real-time information and imagery to help locate missing people and furnish direct life-saving assistance, reaching difficult-to-access areas, providing damage assessment of critical infrastructure following disasters, helping direct limited response resources, and offering additional support to federal, state, and local agencies.

CAP’s sUAS program is designed to complement its traditional aircraft and emergency services operations, expanding mission capabilities while ensuring safety and compliance with FAA and CAP regulations.

Acting as a Total Force partner and official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, Civil Air Patrol helps First Air Force rapidly respond to nonmilitary threats domestically in a Defense Support of Civil Authorities capacity to save lives, relieve suffering, prevent property damage, and provide humanitarian assistance.

Release courtesy of the Civil Air Patrol.