CAP pilots’ work showcases collaborative efforts

Civil Air Patrol 2nd Lt. Adam Orens and Lt. Col. James Degnan were acknowledged for their skill and work during a special CAP Awards meeting, Tuesday night at the Lihu‘e Airport hangers.

But the awards to the two pilots exemplified the collaborative and cooperative effort between the CAP and different agencies and levels of government, which lead to the individual awards.

“The amount of support we get from the community is tremendous,” said Ron Victorino Sr., commander of the Lihu‘e group. “Just for tonight’s ceremonies, we have the Lihu‘e Airport Crash Fire and Rescue unit standing by because you just never know what might happen.”

Orens and Degnan earned CAP Find awards and the Homeland Security Ribbon, the presentation being supplemented by special commendations from the Mayor’s Office, Kaua‘i County Council and from Sue Kanoho of the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau.

“This (the CAP operation) is the best kept secret on the island,” said Mel Rapozo, one of two Council members attending the event. “But it shouldn’t be. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for the funding, which makes the CAP a reality. There are a lot of residents who would not be aware of a tsunami or other situation requiring shoreline evacuations without the CAP.”

Those commendations praised the two CAP Search and Rescue pilots for commendable work in assisting Kaua‘i Police Department by conducting an aerial search in the mountainous area north of Lihu‘e, which led to the discovery of evidence leading to the whereabouts of a Kaua‘i visitor off Loop Road in Wailua during a September 2010 search operation.

Kanoho presented the pilots with copies of a letter she received from the victim’s family, appreciative of having closure, as well as an announcement of the family’s return to Kaua‘i in August to celebrate the victim’s life.

But the collaboration and cooperation extended beyond the day the pilots found the car under heavy tree cover.

The day before, CAP Capt. Cliff Waeschle had flown a search mission with Orens, unsuccessfully.

“This is serendipity,” Weschle said in good humor. “We do the work, they get the medals.”

The Find Award, presented by the CAP Wing Commander, or higher commander, was given to Orens and Degnan for locating a car belonging to a visitor who was being sought.

The Homeland Security Ribbon was presented to both pilots for participation in 10 actual Homeland Security sorties as defined by the tasking organization as being in the interest of security or defense of the nation.

The Homeland Security Ribbon may not have been related to the September search, but Roger Caires, recently commended for 50 years of service to the CAP, said the Kaua‘i CAP is involved in Homeland Security exercises where CAP aircraft and personnel act as “terrorists” trying to gain access to Hawai‘i.

Also honored during the ceremony attended by representatives of numerous community agencies working with the CAP, Ron Victorino Jr. was promoted to CAP 1st Lt., Bob Anderson was promoted to CAP 1st Lt. and John Montemayor was awarded the Leadership Ribbon and promoted to CAP 2nd Lt.

Victorino was one of three father-son teams honored during the ceremonies, the other being Capt. Kaleo Perez of KPD, having his family on hand, representing not only Police Chief Darryl Perry but being able to witness son Cameron Perez being inducted into the CAP as Cadet Airman.

Seth Barker, recipient of the Leadership Ribbon, was joined by his son Tyler, presenting the colors during the ceremony, as recipients of the Recruiter Ribbon.

CAP Capt. Ron Miritello, Project Officer, presided over the ceremony attended by the Lihu‘e Airport administration, the Lihu‘e Airport Crash Fire Rescue unit and the Fire Department.

The Kaua‘i CAP includes 70 members, of which 17 are certified pilots, and three aircraft.

• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.