Air Forces Northern officials at Tyndall AFB, Fla., have provided the Civil Air Patrol with new portable communications equipment to help members of the volunteer USAF auxiliary in their domestic search and rescue operations, counterdrug activities, and training. Last week, five Geospatial Information Interoperability Exploitation Portable, or GIIEP, kits arrived at CAP national headquarters at Maxwell AFB, Ala. These kits feature self-contained communications equipment and other hardware that allow for real-time and near-real-time full-motion video, digital imagery, and in-flight chat capability with federal, state, and local emergency operations centers. “This equipment enhances CAP’s ability to perform its important missions,” said Brig. Gen. Charles Carr, CAP national vice commander. Each GIIEP kit fits into two small cases, making it easily transportable. (Tyndall report by Angela Pope)
Air Force F-16 pilots are testing out new sensors that could help maximize their performance and avoid deadly accidents while flying fast fighter jets under heavy G-forces and stressful conditions.