This weekend members, mostly from Mt. Vernon Composite Squadron, participated in an all day Urban Direction Finding  (UDF) class.  It started out with instructing members on the proper forms to bring to a search and rescue, either real or practice, reviewing each member’s 24 hour pack, and an inspection of a vehicle that had a vital piece of equipment missing, just to make sure we were inspecting the vehicle correctly!

Class continued under the expert guidance of Maj David Fitchitt and Maj Paul Cianciolo. At the same time, the National Capital Wing Commander, Col Richard Cooper, Mt Vernon Composite Squadron Commander Capt Cathy Collom, and 1st Lt Anson Calmes went over to the main area of Ft Belvoir to see the Red Cross display.   The Red Cross incident commander personally offered to came over to the UDF class, brought other Red Cross members in one of the Red Cross emergency vehicles, met the volunteers, thanked them for their efforts and discussed the opportunity of Red Cross and National Capital Wing working together. PLUS, while they were there, the Red Cross gave each CAP member a Red Cross emergency kit worth over $100 and explained how each piece could be used during an emergency situation.   Pictures and interviews were done with CAP members so the Red Cross can share with the public how important CAP, its members, and the assistance they provide the Red Cross is.

The rest of the day included practice working with maps, practice ramp checks, reporting to a “mission base” regarding findings, disarming practice ELT’s, hands on practice of locating  practice ELT’s, and other tasks required on the UDF task list.  It was a great day, and those that missed out….REALLY MISSED OUT!!  

Cdt JP Watson practices use of the compass

Cdt Baldwin learning how to work with maps

FREE STUFF!!

Maj Fitchitt is a star!