MEDIA ALERT - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Civil Air Patrol volunteers support U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assess Willamette Valley dams and 2020 wildfire burn areas. 

New USACE commanders use CAP resources to get big picture

HILLSBORO, Ore.- The new Portland District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Commanding Officer, Colonel Larry “Dale” Caswell, Jr. and his Deputy Commander, Colonel Kathryn Werbak, U.S. Army, will board Civil Air Patrol (CAP) aircraft at Hillsboro Airport, Friday morning, September 15.  They will fly to Salem Airport and pick up Continuing Operations Project Manager, Erik Petersen. U.S. Army civilian, for an aerial tour of the Willamette Valley dam sights and the 2020 Wildfire burn areas. They will be checking the progress of various dam projects and wildfire damage restoration.

Oregon Wing, CAP, has assisted USACE with aviation and photographic support missions for several years.  Helping to survey dam and river projects, conduct bird counts - to assess the effect of Oregon’s bird population predation on the annual salmon runs. Civil Air Patrol’s highly trained pilots and other emergency services volunteers enjoy the opportunity to support Oregon’s civil infrastructure projects, partnering with the Corps of Engineers to help these dedicated professionals protect our waterways and environmental resources. 

The parties will be meeting at 9:00 AM at the Hillsboro Airport terminal and departing at about 10:00 AM - these times may be adjusted as weather and flying conditions dictate.  Final times will be sent out Thursday morning, September 14. 

USACE and CAP representatives will be available for brief interviews and photos at the Hillsboro and Salem airport pick points.

Media representatives wanting interviews should contact:   

Capt Timothy Vaughan

Oregon Wing Public Affairs Team

Tel: 541.357.6717

Email: timothy.vaughan@orwgcap.org 

Founded in 1941 and established as the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force seven years later, Civil Air Patrol is chartered by Congress as a nonprofit organization for the purposes of youth development, aerospace education, and to promote general aviation. In an auxiliary role as a Total Force partner of the Air Force, CAP operates the world’s largest fleet of single-engine aircraft for search and rescue, disaster relief, training, and education. Civil Air Patrol is dedicated to serving America’s communities, saving lives, and shaping futures.

#  #  #