for all the complaints about the CAP and the wide variation in squadrons, I think I've landed at a good one

I am content to be a behind-the-scenes worker bee, no desire to be in any sort of command structure but after 8 very disappointing years of membership in New Hampshire I've finally discovered what CAP is really all about

I was asked to apply to become a member of a counter-narcotics team and for the past 3 years have been flying the border of Mexico looking fr drugs and aliens - it is so gratifying to be able to talk with CBP on the radio and direct them in to a group of 20 or 30, or even 2 or 3 and watch them being taken into custody.

Its gratifying to fly out to the Barry Goldwater Weapons range and clear parts of it and then watch the Air Force come in and do their thing as we're heading out.

Last month I had the opportunity to run communications for 38 or 39 aircraft sorties at Davis Monthan AFB and demonstrate to the 47th Fighter Group who fly A-10's just how good we can be in unusual situations. Because of our success we've been invited back to do it again.

But last weekend I think was the best - standing on the side of the runway at Tucson International Airport and watching 18 F16's taking off - some in formation, some singles and getting to feel the blast from them as they went by - you can literally feel your chest being thumped. It was awesome. But the highlight was getting about 45 minutes in the new F16 simulator. A good briefing by one of the Guard Instructor Pilots and then time to saddle up. It was like nothing else I've ever flown. First sidestick aircraft. First HOTAS aircraft (except for the gear). About a half hour brief on systems and numbers and we were off.

Two take offs and landings (one really good, one they can use the plane again), some ACM experience over the desert (we were allowed to use guns but not missiles - they were locked out by security), some formation flying, some inverted flying (not nearly the same as flying right side up) and then some low-level high speed through a few of the local mountain ranges and canyon areas.

The graphics were superb - building and terrain renderings were top notch, you could recognize immediately all of the landmarks, ground contouring was extremely accurate.

I think the IP crew had a great time giving us a workout - they didn't toss emergency procedures at us, but they answered every question we had except on missile systems. Got to play with the radar settings.

When it was over, the three IP's got into the 3 simulators and gave us a taste of real ACM going after each other. That was eye opening.

Now doing weekend communications exercises, practice searches, inspections and the mundane, there is a light at the end of the tunnel for us seniors.

I had a long chat with two of the Guard people responsible for setting this up and they'll be doing it again. One of the F16 IP's has not been in a GA aircraft in 20 years and has never seen the Garmin glass cockpit so we've made arrangements to get him up in the air for an hour in our NAV III o see how the slow guys live.

One of our guides is an intelligence officer and talking with her I said this is the best thing you can do for Senior members. We're sometimes forgotten because the focus is on the cadets but I told her that she should look at the bigger picture and understand that the retention issue is going to cripple the CAP if we don't find a way to keep Seniors with all of the training and skills from leaving after a few years because there's no challenge and no reward.

If you ever get a chance to join the CAP as a Senior - do it. You don't need to deal with cadets if you don't want to. And there is a wide variety of jobs available - communications, ground team, narcotics, liaison with government agencies such as DHS, the red Cross and other state agencies for disaster preparedness, cell phone and radar forensics for lost and missing persons and aircraft and cyber security.

Glad you're enjoying it and finding it useful. I'm a Senior in a composite (cadet) squadron that my grandson is in. While it's fun and rewarding to work with the kids, I also like going out and doing adult stuff as well.

As previously posted, I also am glad that you found genuine purpose in the organization.

Unfortunately, CAP units can vary between being a social/flying club to one that actually gets things done (whether it is cadet programs, SAR/Disaster relief, supporting various gov't agencies, etc).

Still, I feel that today's CAP is not the same as the CAP in the late 70's and the 80's.

Just my opinion...

quote:

today's CAP is not the same as the CAP in the late 70's and the 80's.

That's when I was a member. We were based out of the old control tower @ HPN and had our own 172 (Which I got to fly).

I was able to:

Fly refueling missions in KC-135's twice.
Use an F-111 simulator.
Attended (2)2 week encampments at Plattsburgh AFB.
Go to Montreal and meet Canadian Cadets (and they did they same in NY).
Learn discipline.
Lots and lots of marching practice.

Fantastic experiences for a teenager.

When I was Chief, Counterdrug Operations for the Northast Air Defense Sector (NORAD), I used the CAP regularly for all sorts of transport and comm evaluations.

Great organization!

Tim