OPERATIONS PLAN

Mission Aircrew Training

MELR-04-TBD

16-20 January 2004

1 Dec 2003

Virginia Wing air crews and air crew trainees will have a excellent

opportunity to develop and conduct training utilizing the home bases of

Virginia Wing aircraft during the period 16-20 January 2004. Virginia

Wing mission pilots, observers, scanners, and trainees for these

positions will have an opportunity to practice existing skills, and
train

for additional ES ratings. Specific requirements, limitations, and

procedures follow and must be complied with precisely.

SCOPE:

Beginning 16 January and until 20 January, SAR/DR mission pilots,
mission

observers, mission scanners, and trainees for these specialties may

participate in one or more funded training flights originating from any

aircraft home base. Training must be conducted within pre-selected time

limits and within specific search grid(s) or areas. Specific funds have

been allocated to this training, and as a result, expenses will be

closely monitored and the issuing of mission sortie numbers will cease

when the funds are expended. Where possible, units should conduct pre

mission briefings and training well prior to the flight to allow for the

maximum training value during the mission. For this exercise, the Wing

will allow the use of corporate vehicles to be used to support aircrew

mission training tasks such as representing the vehicles and personnel
to

be spotted on the ground, and to place appropriate targets for

identification by aircrew. This will allow for fuel reimbursement of

vehicles. Because this is an Air Force funded mission, vehicle occupants

and the vehicle itself must be signed-in using the same procedures as

aircrew and articulated below. This addition is implemented on a trial

basis for this exercise and may be expanded in scope in subsequent

training exercises.

Training should fall into one of the following categories with

consideration for enhancing visual search skills in anticipation of
CAP\'s

possible participation in the homeland security effort.

\* Visual searches, especially searches aided by GPS SAR functions

\* Slow scan video equipment training and use

\* Training and testing of any task listed on CAP Forms 101T-SC,
101T-MO,

101T-MP

\* Mountain mission flying tasks

\* Testing and use of the airborne repeater

\* Air to ground coordination

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

1\. A sortie suffix to the mission number must be obtained prior to the

flight. This sortie number authorizes the flight, but does not release

it (see below). Sortie numbers will not be provided retroactively and

unauthorized flights will not be funded. Sorties numbers are valid only

for the time, aircraft and aircrew and grids approved. Leaving a message

on an answering machine requesting a number or advising of changes to a

previously authorized flight DOES NOT constitute authorization to
conduct

the flight!

2\. This is a USAF authorized and reimbursed mission to be conducted in

accordance with CAPR 60-3, CAPR 60-1, and applicable Virginia Wing

supplements and directives.

3\. Only Virginia Wing CAP corporate aircraft and vehicles may be used.

4\. A fully qualified mission pilot with an unexpired 101 card as a
SAR/DR

Mission Pilot must be on board the aircraft as Mission PIC to conduct
the

training. Mountain qualification is required for flights conducted in

grids designated as mountainous by Virginia Wing.

5\. All other occupants must hold a 101 card as a SAR/DR Mission Pilot,

Transport Mission Pilot, Observer, Scanner, or a 101 General ES card. A

101 card that expired within the last twenty-four months is considered

equivalent to a 101-T for the specialties on that card.

6\. Vehicle occupants must hold at least a GES card.

7\. Prior to issuing a sortie number, the IC or AOBD will verify the

qualifications of the PIC using the Wing ES database as the standard.

The PIC must verify the credentials for each crew member by consulting

the Paperless Wing function on the wing web site prior to requesting the

sortie and check for documentation, including 101Ts, prior to departure.

8\. Solo training flights will not be authorized. Point-to-point

cross-country flights are not allowed, as the purpose of this training
is

to develop and practice SAR/DR skills.

9\. Flight scheduling and flight release are to be done according to

standard FRO procedures using local resources. Standard priority for use

of aircraft remains in effect with RED CAPs having priority.

10\. If required, FAA flight plans must be filed IAW CAPR 60-1 and
normal

FRO procedures.

11\. A CAPF 104 for the training flight must be completed by the mission

PIC, but will not be used to dispatch flights.

12\. Units may plan for and conduct air to ground operations using

corporate vehicles and one or two senior members to place panels and

targets and communicate with the aircraft.

13\. When requesting reimbursement, the user must submit this form with

CAP Form 108 and attaching the gas receipt.

14\. Every effort should be made to complete the sortie within to the

estimated Hobbs time used for approval, as future sorties are being

authorized based on this estimate and remaining funding.

PROCESS FOR REQUESTING A TRAINING SORTIE NUMBER:

\* The Mission PIC for the training flight must contact the Air
Operations

Branch Director for a sortie number with e-mail being the preferred

method of communication. For this training:

Air Operations Branch Director Incident Commander

Lt Col James L. Stover Lt Col Eric Litt

540 287-4915 (Cell) 540 899-3893(H) 703 620-5099

jlstover@juno.com erlitt@msn.com

\* Requests for sortie numbers will not be accepted prior 13 January
2004.

Only the PIC for the flight may request the sortie. Each sortie must be

requested in a separate e-mail. In order to \"sign-in\" corporate
vehicles

and drivers and to be eligible for reimbursement, it will be necessary

for the driver to request a sortie from the Incident Commander as well.

\* PIC\'s are requested to schedule flights at least 48 hours in advance
of

the sortie. PICs should schedule aircraft only for the time period

needed to conduct the flight.

\* The following information is required at the time of the request. A

reply with the mission sortie number either by return e-mail or by

telephone and is required for approval. Sorties cannot be executed

without this reply.

1\. Name, rank, CAP ID number, and unit number of Mission PIC or vehicle

driver

2\. Telephone number and e-mail address where the Mission PIC or vehicle

driver can be reached.

3\. Name, rank, CAP ID number, unit number, and ES qualifications of the

other aircrew or vehicle members.

4\. Aircraft tail number or vehicle license number to be used.

5\. Date and estimated start (clock) time of the sortie.

6\. Estimated Hobbs time for the sortie.

7\. Airport of departure.

8\. Grid number(s) where training will occur.

9\. Training to be conducted (please be specific, to include search

pattern or task to be trained)

\* If a sortie cannot be accomplished on the appointed day or during the

appointed time window due to weather, change in approved crew, or any

other reason, the mission authorization is automatically cancelled. No

substitutions in crew or changes in grid or time are authorized without

the change coordinated and approved in advance by the Exercise Director.

SAFETY:

\* Safety is essential during each mission, and as such, the following

guidance is issued. Pilots must fly the mission requested, as the IC

will ensure time separation in each grid selected. The Mission PIC is

responsible for all facets of the flight including the preflight actions

of checking weather and NOTAM information, confirming crew

qualifications, crew briefing and local flight release. Particular

emphasis should be placed on assuring that any possible TFR restrictions

are understood immediately prior to the flight. Flying around nuclear

power plants is discouraged, and if unavoidable, flight following is

recommended to avoid a potential incident. High winds, especially in

mountain grids, may render mountain flying inadvisable. Please check

winds aloft for reporting stations nearest your grid.

\* CAP channel 4 and FAA 121.5 are to be monitored all times. Announce

entering and exiting a search area on Channel 4, and at 30-minute

intervals while in the search area. The mission base is \"Chesterfield

Base\". You may or may not receive a reply to your call, as the primary

purpose is to notify other aircraft on the frequency as to your
position.

\* Each Mission Pilot is expected to conduct an operational risk

assessment for the flight to be completed. In light of recent accidents,

pilots are expected to exercise caution and vigilance in the execution
of

these flights.

\* Pilots must obtain an FAA approved briefing prior to departure. The

sudden occurrence of often violent thunderstorm activity, including

severe winds, lightning, hail and heavy rains during the summer mandates

that pilots maintain vigilance during the flight. Use of Flight Watch
and

monitoring HIWAS will assist in identifying potential weather hazards.

\* Vehicle drivers should be cautious of dividing the workload so that
the

driver does not become distracted from safely operating the vehicle.

Parking should be in open, visible areas where passing traffic will be

able to see and avoid CAP vehicles.

DOCUMENTATION:

At the conclusion of the flight, the Mission PIC must immediately e-mail

the IC with the sortie number, Hobbs time flown and the dollar amount of

fuel used. This is essential to accurately determine the status of
funds.

The CAPF104 and VA Form 11 with receipts (for pilots) and CAPF 108 with

receipts (for drivers) are to be mailed directly to Virginia Wing HQ/DO,

7401 Airfield Drive, Richmond VA 23237, to arrive at Wing Headquarters

within 14 days of the flown sortie. The actual Hobbs time used on the

sortie and reported to the Exercise Director must match the Hobbs time

appearing on the aircraft flight log and the VA Form 11. Pilots who fail

to submit flight documentation may become ineligible for subsequent

funded flying.

Questions concerning any portion this order should be directed to the

undersigned at 540 899-3893.

FOR THE COMMANDER

/s/

James L. Stover, Lt Col, CAP

Director of Emergency Services

Virginia Wing