Oregon Civil Air Patrol Braces For Major Funding Shortfall From McCain Bill

Oregon Civil Air Patrol said Thursday that it has just learned that Senator John McCain, R-AZ, plans to introduce an amendment today (Thursday, March 14th) which would dramatically reduce funding for CAP missions and programs for FY 2013.

This amendment would reduce CAP operations and maintenance funding now in HR 933, the new funding bill for defense, from $28.4 million to $23.9 million as well as reduce aircraft procurement from $9.3 million to $2.5 million and eliminate vehicle procurement.

The impact on CAP and its operations would be very damaging and, if coupled with a sequestration cut, could be devastating to CAP’s future, according to Oregon Civil Air Patrol

“It appears to me the impact on Oregon would be the loss of one or more aircraft which would reduce our operational capacity and flexibility.” Remarked Col. John Longely, commander of the Oregon Wing of the Civil Air Patrol. “We cover an amazing area with our current 8 aircraft. They are used for search and find, defense missions and for cadet development programs. On searches it is critical to have enough aircraft because usually it is one of a number that actually makes the find,” he said.

“We provide an aircraft with little more than $100 an hour. If we are not available, the option is to launch a helicopter or C-130 which costs thousands per hour to operate and crew. Removing relatively small amounts of money from a voluntary organization is a major mission subtractor,” he added.

The amendment (which is numbered 50) would be made to HR 933, the full-year Continuing Appropriations Act of 2013 for Defense, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill today.

According to the Oregon Civil Air Patrol, the possible impact is very bad–CAP will likely run out of maintenance funds before the end of the year as well as have to reduce its aircraft fleet by 75 aircraft and significantly reduce national headquarters staff. In addition, there would be a 21% reduction in overall support for Air Force missions compared to FY12 and a 52% decrease in homeland security and air defense training as well as other negative impacts. If a sequestration cut is added on top of this reduction in funding the impact on CAP could be devastating, said the Oregon Civil Air Patrol.

Source:   http://www.albanytribune.com