[FedCom] re: CAP OPSEC

[Ken]

Another aspect of CAP's very strict operational security would be it's
Counter Drug Support Missons.

CAP is involved in 10 major support areas.

Marijuana Eradication Support -- flights conducted to detect suspicious
vegetation or likely growing areas.
Airborne Recon -- flights to detect potential drug operations or gather
intelligence on isolated areas known to be used by drug traffickers.  Also
recurring flights to examine border crossing areas.
Marine Recon -- Routine recon to detect & report suspicious marine
activity
in coastal areas and to detect & identify waterborne vessels.
Airport Recon -- Recurring or periodic recon of airports & surrounding
access routes for evidence or likelihood of use for drug trafficking.
Airfield Photography -- Conducted to locate, identify, photograph, and
catalog chartered & unchartered airfields & landing areas.
Airborne Video/Digital Photography & Imagery -- flown to document
conditions of areas or facilities to detect changes, use, or suspicious
activity.
Communications Support -- Usually flown in remote areas to provide an
aerial communications relay platform and/in support of over-water operations
where normal communications may be a problem.
Radar Evaluation -- Flown to evaluate & calibrate air defense radars and
provide controller and/or interceptor training.
Aerial Familization of Law Enforcement Agents -- Conducted to
familiarize
agents with aircraft & their use in conducting law enforcement operations.
Drug Demand Reduction -- Incentive flights for cadets.
Transportation Mission ---  Used in very limited circumstances.

(Reference:  CAP Regulation 60-6)
http://level2.cap.gov/documents/u_090303072434.pdf#search=%22Domestic%20Support%20Operations%2FCAP%20%22

BICE, USFS, DEA, FAA & NG personnel are authorized to fly in CAP aircraft.
CAP is not authorized to conduct surveillance on people or support direct
law enforcement seizures & arrests.

There is an indication in the regulation that when these type of
flights/support activities are performed CAP frequencies may be used to
monitor the mission progression BUT generally telephone alert rather than
radio is used or a "high bird" might be used.   Under the "Force Protection" 
policy CAP will not normally
be employed when there's a risk of coming into direct contact with suspects
OR potential hostile gun fire OR other safety factors.

Ever since it's inception CAP members trained & authorized to participate in
these type missions have to sign a special Non Disclosure Agreement which
ends with the statement "...I understand unauthorized disclosure could be a
violation of Federal Law and subject to prosecution of a criminal offense
and/or civil suit.....".

So don't expect anyone in CAP to be forthcoming on these type of
activities.... So perhaps "very careful" radio scanner monitoring using the
"special monitoring techniques" many of you have developed over the years
might provide some insight into this program.  Of course I'm sure that all
of you will be posting your findings to this list! ;)

K