Speech #1100176755

I want to thank Chairman CUELLAR especially. H.R. 1333. as amended. would require the Government Accountability Office. the GAO. to conduct an expansive review to determine how the Civil Air Patrol may be used to support the homeland security missions of State. local and tribal governments. and the Department of Homeland Security. Specifically. the GAO will review how the Civil Air Patrol may provide aerial reconnaissance or communications capabilities for border security. assist in damage assessments and situational awareness. search and rescue operations. evacuations and the transport of timesensitive medical or other materials. or perform any other activities as determined by the GAO. This review will provide greater information regarding the costeffectiveness of using Civil Air Patrol assets for homeland security purposes at all levels of government. It will also help us understand whether the current process for States and the Federal Government to request Civil Air Patrol assistance is overly bureaucratic. limiting the effectiveness of this important resource in times of crisis. Aviation assets have traditionally played an important role in border security. the interdiction of contraband. search and rescue operations. evacuations. and afteraction analyses that must be performed in the wake of a catastrophic event. A Civil Air Patrol force of 57.000 volunteers and 500 planes across the country stands ready to assist in those important missions. The Civil Air Patrol has a long history of service to this Nation.