[MilCom] Civil Air Patrol Tightens OpSecurity Radio Comms Information

[Ken]

Civil Air Patrol's new Operational Security briefing & non-disclosure 
agreement specifically targets:
*(new)Radio communications frequencies
*Repeater Access tones
*Radio repeater site locations
*Aircraft & Vehicle locations
*Certain Mission that's are considered FOUO
*etc.

See: 
http://www.cap.gov/visitors/news/cap_news_online/index.cfm?fuseaction=display&nodeID=6192&newsID=2199&year=2006&month=6
(news release)

http://level2.cap.gov/documents/OPSEC.pdf#search=%22Civil%20Air%20Patrol%20Operational%20Security%22
(policy letter)

The power point briefing can be found at: 
https://tests.cap.af.mil/opsec/main.cfm
It's required for all CAP senior members (not cadet members) to complete 
before they can receive any "sensitive" information.

My understanding is that in most instances radios aren't going to be 
programmed below the Wing Level (or in larger states below the Group level), 
so even personal radios purchased will be programmed with the appropriate 
radio channel designations for simplex & repeater access (freqs & tones) by 
the Wing/Group radio communications staff BUT the typical users will not 
have access to see to the actual frequencies or tone codes programmed. 
I'm guessing that CAP owned new radio equipment that will distributed from 
CAP's National Technology Center, Richmond VA, is going to have all of the 
CAP designated frequencies & access codes  preprogrammed in the memory with 
nationwide channel designator codes displayed & thus all CAP communications 
plans will be changed to reflect the revised appropriate designators. 
Wings/Groups will program/add the regional/wing designations to the radio 
equipment.  As many of you already know CAP is authorized in some states 
(counties) to use certain public safety frequencies if a written agreement 
is in place ('Popular Communications' magazine June 2006 edition "The Civil 
Air Patrol: History & Frequencies (Tom Swisher).

My understanding is that some wings (states) have already been performing 
radio checks on the new frequencies.  "Advanced" internet websearch reveals 
that CAP's new frequencies information continues to remains available for 
public access.

I've posted this to both lists because CAP now appears to have 4 major 
operational duties which not only supports the US military but also other 
federal civil departments:
1.  Aircraft Search & Rescue   (military & civilian, +95% of US)
2.  Homeland Security (My understanding is that most of these missions will 
be FOUO)
3.  FEMA Disaster Assessment/Recovery Support
4.  DEA Aerial Support (all missions are FOUO & a separate non-disclosure 
agreement & background information is required).
5.  Military Aero Support (this includes low level route mapping,  intercept 
exercises, and some other miscellenous missions)

I'd encourage folks to consider finding out more about Civil Air Patrol by 
visiting your local unit & deciding if CAP is an organization that you might 
want to join & commit your time to.  You can find your local units by 
checking out:
http://level2.cap.gov/visitors/member_services/unit_directory/
You have a choice of downloading the entire USA directory or doing a web 
seach for units next to you, which will include meeting times/days.

Also for those of you attending the "Big E" (Eastern States Exposition), 
West Springfield Massachusetts, this year
(see http://www.thebige.com/) Civil Air Patrol  has a staffed 
exhibit/information area in the New England Center building.

Civil Air Patrol's annual report to Congress can be found at: 
http://www.cap.gov/visitors/about/annual_report_to_congress.cfm

The entry to the offical CAP website can be found at: http://www.cap.gov/

Comments public or private as your comfort level dictates!

Ken