JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Service members and civilians of the Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, Alaskan Command, and Eleventh Air Force, including Alaskan NORAD Region and ALCOM Commander Lt. Gen. David Nahom, attended a briefing by the Alaska Civil Air Patrol in Anchorage, Alaska, Feb. 20, 2024.

According to George Tolar, Alaska NORAD Region director of Partnerships, Interagency, and Interorganizational Programs, the participants attended this briefing to get a better understanding of the Alaska-specific capabilities of the CAP, and to learn about employing CAP’s resources.

The Alaska Wing of the CAP is a diverse group of cadet and adult volunteers who serve local communities, Alaska, and the nation by assisting in search and rescue, humanitarian aid, and various assistance to local government and federal agencies. The CAP aims to inspire the next generation of aviation, space and cyber leaders through science, technology, engineering and math education.

When it comes to homeland defense and Defense Support of Civil Authorities, the Alaska Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command overcome resource constraints by engaging partnership capabilities such as the Alaskan Civil Air Patrol.

“Defense missions in Alaska are well-recognized as uniquely complex. With limited resources, we rely on supplemental support from partners such as the Civil Air Patrol,” said Tolar. “Their reliability and experience operating throughout Alaska allows us to further capabilities in support of search and rescue, execution of DSCA assignments, and contributions to incident responses.”

Alaska’s Civil Air Patrol is a proven element for interagency operations unique to Alaska.

“Civil Air Patrol provides cost effective solutions and an invaluable connection to our communities across Alaska,” said Nathan Healey, Alaska CAP U.S. Air Force liaison. “CAP is involved in approximately 50% of the AK Rescue Coordination Center missions each year, providing air, ground, radar and cell phone forensic services across the state.”

Tolar said that the participants of the brief were able to better understand contributions and limitations of Alaska’s CAP.