21 April 2009

USAF: EPLOs Redefine part of Air Force Mission

So, the natural question: Where does CAP fit in this EPLO discussion?

4/21/2009 - TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- When most Americans think of the Air Force, they envision slick, fast fighter jets soaring through the skies at Mach speed. A picture that doesn't normally come to mind is a military organization that helps local communities during hurricanes, wildfires, floods or other natural disasters.

Nor does the image of men and women in blue assisting during man-made emergencies such as an oil spill, chemical explosion or train derailment immediately come to mind.

Historically, that level of assistance has been offered primarily by local, state and federal agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency and non-governmental organizations like the Red Cross.

However, Air Force officials have been providing a growing presence during these emergencies through the emergency preparedness liaison officer program, which is part of the Defense Support to Civil Authorities mission under Continental U.S. NORAD Region - 1st Air Force (Air Forces Northern), headquartered at here at Tyndall.

Col. Michael Hare is the Air Force National Security Emergency Preparedness director who oversees the EPLO program for AFNORTH.
More here…

No comments: