Civil Air Patrol personnel’s training prepares them for the worst

The Civil Air Patrol is called on during missing persons searches, major oil spills, even during various floods and fires in the last three years across Colorado.

In fact, CAP personnel have come to the rescue countless times in Colorado, offering their selfless sacrifice and service to country.

They power up their planes and take off for flights at the worst of times.

“Whether supporting military with things like air defense, being on the coast helping with the hurricanes or the oil spills and the disaster relief. Here in Colorado with the wildfires, folks that are lost hikers, downed aircraft in the mountains,” said Lt. Col. Chad Grondahl with the Civil Air Patrol. “We can add a lot to a department or resource that doesn’t have a lot of resources to do it on their own.”

The Air Patrol is part of the Air Force but is hired by local governments and other governing bodies to aid in emergency efforts, which saves taxpayer money.

Many of the volunteers are not military, which is why training is vital.

In addition to emergency searches, flights and relief, the Air Patrol has been watching for problems along area burn scars.

For more information on the Civil Air Patrol, click here.