[Scan-DC] Chasing down a Cessna target

[Steve Rigby]

Emissary wrote:

 > If it was a practice it was as real as it gets! They even made
 > contact with the plane on 119.85 and everything. ... my .02$

   Well, I see your point, however...

   I've got a feeling that any of these CAPs, while actual Combat Air
Patrols, are still basically 'training exercises.'  I do not believe
that there have been any incidents that rose to the level of anything
that would have to be acted upon militarily since they began, and
there is not much likelihood, in the near future, that anyone would
truly expect that to happen.  Thus, it is probable that training is
the most successful output being realized from these patrols, and I
suspect that the military feels the same way and regards these CAPs
as a tool to keep pilots sharp.

   Our ground troops in the Middle East are routinely out on patrols
of various types, and while armed and ready to fight, they are only
actually training because there is no real fighting going on or
immediately anticipated.  Ditto for the CAPs.  I think that is why
any queries about the activities of the CAPs is answered the same
way every time, "It was a routine training mission."

   Steve