[KYHAM] CAP Signs MOU with ARRL

[Ron Dodson]

The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) and ARRL signed a Memorandum of Agreement
during Dayton HamventionR May 20-22, where CAP fielded a major presence.
The agreement spells out guidelines for CAP--the US Air Force Auxiliary,
and ARRL--the national association for Amateur Radio, to better use and
integrate their resources during communication exercises and
emergencies. 

"Civil Air Patrol has one of the largest unified communications networks
in the nation," said CAP Lt Col Maurice Thomas, N3ADV. "Federal, state
and local agencies call on CAP members every day for communication
support in search-and-rescue missions and disaster relief." Thomas says
CAP, which has been in existence for more than 60 years, needs
"implementers" for its communication technology, and highly skilled ham
radio operators are "a natural resource." 

Dayton Hamvention this year played host to ARRL's 2005 National
Convention, featuring ARRL EXPO 2005 in Hara Arena's Ballarena. The
League also had a retail booth and relaxation area at its traditional
North Hall location. 

CAP National Commander Maj Gen Dwight Wheless joined with ARRL President
Jim Haynie, W5JBP, at Hamvention to sign the formal agreement. The
ceremony took place Friday, May 20, during the "ARRL Goes to Washington
for You" forum at 10:15 AM in Room 2 of Hara Arena. Wheless called radio
amateurs "highly skilled and knowledgeable about the latest in
communications technology." 
ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, points out
that volunteerism is an Amateur Radio tradition. "We look forward to
educating our members about CAP, and CAP members about ARRL," he said.
"From Morse code to high-speed digital, a wire up in a tree to satellite
communications, hams love to make it happen." 

Pitts says the ham radio slogan "When all else fails . . ." is more than
mere words. "They know ham radio communication works again and again
when other systems fail," he said. "One way or another, hams get the
message through." 

Radio communication plays a major role in all of CAP's operations too,
including homeland security, damage assessment, search and rescue, and
disaster relief. It was key in CAP's impact assessment missions during
last year's hurricanes in Florida, ice storms in Arkansas and New York,
and floods in Missouri. 

Pitts notes that during the course of many emergency response
situations, Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), Radio Amateur Civil
Emergency Service (RACES), and other Amateur Radio emergency groups find
themselves working side by side with CAP members, a number of whom
already are radio amateurs. 

"This formal agreement between our two organizations will acknowledge
that in a disaster, we all work for the common good," he said
================================================= 
As soon as it is available, I will post the location of the MOU for your
viewing.

73, 
Ron, KA4MAP
SEC Ky