[MilCom] Wx Playing Havoc w/DC area CAPs

[Rapbep at aol.com]

All,

Over the last two days the severe afternoon wx in the DC-Baltimore-Philly 
area has been playing havoc with the CAPs.

Yesterday (11 Aug) during a series of very severe thunderstorms, Huntress 
informed the DC CAP fighters (Brave flight 121st FS Andrews) that they were 
approved to depart the CAP early for their home base. After some discussion between 
Brave flight leader, 121st FS SOF (139.9) and Huntress, Brave flight decided 
to stay in the CAP since the wx at Andrews had deteriorated.

Today (12 Aug) the DC CAP was established around 1400 EDT. Brave flight asked 
Huntress what his capability was to track severe wx in the CAP area. Huntress 
replied that his capability was very limited, almost no capability.  Huntress 
advised Brave flight to rely on the CAP tanker since they had "live wx radar" 
on board. Brave flight advised that they would keep in touch with the tanker 
and also with their SOF at Andrews, who was tracking the wx for Brave flight 
as well. Barve leader advised Huntress that the wx in the north part of the CAP 
area was "usable" but that the southern area of the CAP was ketting socked in 
with the approaching wx. 

I'm surprised that the Huntress control system doesn't have a better handle 
on the wx in their area of responsibility.

RON
MARYLAND, USA