South Dakota Awarded CAP Save
South Dakota is the latest state with a life saved credited to CAP support. The CAP “Save” is for a cell phone forensics mission during which the wing was not activated.
According to John Desmarais, CAP’s national director of operations, the Oglala Sioux Tribe emergency management office requested cell forensics for a missing 22-year-old woman on the reservation on November 3. The AFRCC SAR controller successfully contacted the missing woman with the number provided and was able to keep contact until EMS arrived, said Desmarais.
“We’re pleased that South Dakota lists one of the first 13 lives saved during this federal fiscal year,” said Col. Michael Marek, South Dakota Wing commander, “because saving lives and shaping futures is what CAP is all about.
“Some members may wish that CAP’s air and ground forces had been activated for this mission, but we need to remember that the Air Force activates CAP when local resources are not sufficient,” Marek added. “That’s the context in which CAP’s cell forensics worked this mission, but members within the wing were not called out.”
Civil Air Patrol is assigned SAR and DR missions as part of USAF support for civil authorities. CAP, therefore, is assigned operational missions that save lives, relieve suffering, prevent property damage and provide humanitarian assistance. CAP also develops young leaders through its cadet program and promotes aerospace education.