Air Patrol is on a roll

WASILLA — Alaska Wing Civil Air Patrol 2nd Lt. Lynda S. MacPherson, and her husband, Derk MacPherson, Director of Operations for Alaska Wing Civil Air Patrol, are trying to establish squadrons in the Mat-Su Valley, and after recent meetings with members of the community, it looks likely that they will.

“It would behoove us to be in the Valley,” Lynda said.

The AK CAP is a non-profit organization consisting of youth and adult volunteers that provide support to communities across the state with emergency response, diverse aviation and ground services, youth development and promotion of air, space and cyber power. From lost hikers and kayakers to skiers caught in an avalanche and those caught in an earthquake, AK CAP does countless search and rescue missions year-round.

“Were the best kept secret. That’s our kind of motto” Derk said.

AK CAP currently has 17 squadrons across the state and is looking to establish squadrons in Valley, which would reduce their total response time and help them better service an area the size of West Virginia. Anchorage is the closest squadron to date. CAP is looking for adults in the Valley, 18 and above to become members. They also want to develop a Valley cadet (ages 12-18) squadron.

Lynda and Derk are holding meetings at various libraries to discuss the program with locals to see if there’s enough interest. Lynda said their meeting in Wasilla went very well and based on that meeting alone, she feels confident that they are on their way to getting a squadron in Wasilla, and hopefully, Palmer as well.

“If Palmer and Sutton have a big of interest [as Wasilla], we could put some out there as well,” Lynda said.

She said that Willow has potential as well, but not their own; they would be branched under the Wasilla squadron.

Derk explained that search and rescue is a prominent part of what AK CAP does and they’re frequently one of the first responders when distress beacons go off. He said most of their support comes from the air. They currently have 18 airplanes at their disposal and the 19th is getting refurbished down in the Lower 48.

All AK CAP volunteers are thoroughly trained and education is a major part of the program. Going through the AK CAP is a lot cheaper path for kids to get flight training and their certification, Derk said.

Derk said that AK CAP works through the Alaska Coordination Center and has a lot of interactions with the Alaska Air National Guard. He noted that the lower 48 only has one rescue coordination center for the entire country and Alaska has its own up here.

“We’re that busy,” Derk said.

Lynda and Derk still have three more meetings at local libraries and invite the public to attend. To find out more about AK CAP, contact Lynda at: 907-240-7888 or 605271@akwg.cap.gov.

There are scheduled meetings in Willow (July 10 at 6 p.m.), Sutton (July 13 at 5 p.m.) and Palmer (July 21 at 1:30 p.m.)

Contact Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at Jacob.mann@frontiersman.com