THE SURVIVAL of the ALASKA CIVIL AIR PATROL

The people of Alaska require and deserve effective air search and rescue and disaster relief services. One way the government of Alaska has responded to fulfill this commitment is through the use of the U.S. Air Force's official auxiliary, the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) to prosecute these life threatening, time critical missions. When CAP responds to perform Search and Rescue activities, or other Emergency Services on official U.S. Air Force missions, the Air Force pays for operational aircraft expenses only. The only federal funds received by the Alaska Wing CAP are for reimbursement for actual aircraft costs incurred during search activities. These funds are expended through the Air Force and cannot be used for any other purpose than reimbursement of fuel and aircraft maintenance.

The State's contribution to CAP of $503,100 annually covers costs of the basic infrastructure necessary to operate, as the expenses for training, administration, maintenance, hangaring aircraft, and management are not, and cannot, be funded by_ the Air Force. Fortunately, the State of Alaska has provided funds that maintain the vital organizational structure through which volunteerism by CAP members can take place. Without this support from the state, CAP could not exist and the state emergency services would have to turn to the private market place or create its own response force. Either way, it would be extremely expensive. The CAP and its volunteer force is the best bargain available.

If CAP goes away, the burden for search and rescue, and other missions we support including Homeland Security and Disaster Response, will fall on the Alaska State Troopers and the Alaska Air National Guard, both of which are also supported by state funds, Some of our facilities supported by the state appropriation, are shared with the Department of Public Safety (State Troopers). CAP, with the combination of corporate and volunteer aircraft, commands a fleet that is over three times the size of the State Troopers, and serves as a force multiplier for them.

The strength of CAP comes from the members. The Alaska Wing CAP has 1,000+ members in the state donating their time and, in many cases, the use of their personal aircraft to accomplish our mission. In 2002, CAP flew 285 sorties, and is credited with 21 lives saved. Since January 2003 to September 2003, the wing has been credited with 18 lives saved. The people we search for include snow machiners, hikers, hunters, overdue aircraft, boaters, and other lost persons. CAP has done studies which show that if the services we provide were supplied by a private company, the cost of aircraft, pilots, observers, training, staff, facilities, and equipment would equate to over $20 million per year.

As your can see, CAP makes a valuable contribution to Alaska, which represents much more than the half million dollars the state provides. And the loss of the state's appropriation may literally put us out of business. I urge CAP members to educate your governor, your legislative representatives, local community leaders, and members of your community, to enlighten them as to the value of CAP to the state, and help them understand the consequences of this proposed budget cut.

COLONEL ROBERT L. BROUILLETTE, CAP

COMMANDER, ALASKA WING