NEWS: House passes bill to expand CAP homeland security role

WASHINGTON — A bill by U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.) requiring an assessment of how Civil Air Patrol can support homeland security missions was approved May 12 by the House of Representatives.

Dent is a member of both the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Homeland Security Committee.

The bill, H.R. 1178, directs the U.S. Government Accountability Office to study the ways CAP may assist state, local and tribal governments and the Department of Homeland Security by:

• Providing aerial reconnaissance or communication capabilities for border security.
• Providing assistance in a collective response effort, including damage assessment, search and rescue, and evacuations.
• Assisting in departmental training exercises.

GAO’s report to Congress must assess the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of utilizing CAP assets and the ability of federal and state agencies to request CAP support.

Upon completion, DHS must review and analyze the report and, within 90 days, submit recommendations to the Congress for further action.

Dent has long advocated the use of CAP pilots and aircraft for homeland security missions. He conceived this legislation in 2007 after a visit to the border town of Laredo, Texas, to address concerns U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers had raised to him, saying they lacked sufficient aviation assets and resources for their important mission.

“Continuing a proud tradition, a CAP force of 57,000 volunteers and over 500 aircraft across the country stand ready to support the nation’s homeland security mission,” Dent said. “I believe this study will find that using CAP resources to bolster our border security and assist in disaster response is a sensible and cost-effective measure.”

Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter, CAP national commander, said, “The passage of Congressman Dent's Civil Air Patrol Homeland Security bill in the House today marks a major step forward in ensuring that Civil Air Patrol's emergency capabilities are fully utilized by all federal agencies.

“With 550 aircraft, thousands of trained and experienced aircrews and a nationwide communications system, CAP can be a valuable component of our national defense.”

 

By CAP National Headquarters Public Affairs