![](media/image1.wmf){width="1.2027777777777777in"
height="1.1833333333333333in"}EMERGENCY SERVICES
OFFICER![](media/image2.wmf){width="1.2048611111111112in"
height="1.2145833333333333in"}

# Civil Air Patrol, USAF Auxiliary

**Lake Charles Composite Squadron**

**P.O. Box 2125**

**Lake Charles, Louisiana 70602-2125**

**(337)310-1600**

**alphapgr. (337)437-1309 fax (337)310-1601**

**email:** <rock@bice-palermo.com>

June 26, 2003

### Mr. Dick Gremillion

### Calcasieu Parish OEP

Lake Charles, LA 70601

Re: Civil Air Patrol Grant Request

Satellite Digital Imaging System

Dear Mr. Gremillion:

For many years CAP has provided aircraft imagery to ground personnel
using slow scan video. The slow scan video system has served the
emergency response community well but has significant limitations. Those
limitations include:

1.  the scarcity or absence of vendors for equipment;

2.  marginal image quality compared with current state of the art;

3.  interoperability challenges between CAP aircraft and ground
    receiving radios

4.  an analog system which requires adapters to mate with the current
    digital equipment; and

5.  the requirement there be a ground station with slow scan receiving
    gear to receive the images.

Our National Headquarters has been investigating a replacement for the
slow scan technology for several years. We are please to report that CAP
has found an exciting new technology that will better serve the
emergency response community's airborne imagery needs. The Civil Air
Patrol Satellite Digital Imaging System uses an ARNAV satellite phone
system, digital camera with GPS, and a laptop computer to provide high
quality imagery. Photographs can be sent from the aircraft via standard
email to multiple addresses and/or posted to a website such as CAP's Web
Mission Information Reporting System. Files of 100k take less than 2
minutes to transmit.

The Satellite Digital Imaging System has been tested and proven to be an
exceptional asset. CAP currently authorized eight aircraft across the
nation to be outfitted with the technology. However, most squadrons will
need grant money to incorporate this technology into their current
operations.

Mr. Dick Gremillion

June 26, 2003

Page 2

The required costs for the Satellite Digital Imaging System are:

ARNAV RCOM-100 Sat Phone and aircraft installation kit \$9598

Handset for voice communications \$ 25

Installation \$1000

Laptop Computer (aircraft) \$2000

Nikon D1X camera, accessories with 24-120mm f-3 lens \$4500

GPS for interface with camera \$ 500

Ground team satphone unit \$1352

Laptop for ground team unit \$2000

Camera for ground team unit [\$1200]{.underline}

TOTAL \$22,175

The local squadron would be responsible for monthly fees associated with
satellite phone system. Monthly fees are estimated at \$78 a month for
the aircraft unit and \$61 a month for the ground unit.

I have attached a copy of a PowerPoint presentation which explains the
system. We respectfully requests grant monies for purchase of the
system. If you have any questions, please contact me.

Yours truly,

J. ROCK PALERMO III, Lt. Col., CAP

Acting National Legal Officer

Lake Charles Composite Squadron Emergency Services Officer