Homer’s Civil Air Patrol squadron took part in a statewide disaster response exercise this past weekend, joining CAP members in nearly 20 locations throughout Alaska and several states in the Lower 48.
Taking place Aug 9-10, this “significant” training event was part of the CAP Alaska Wing’s “Twenty Seconds More” exercise, a scenario based on a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that hit Anchorage in November 2018 and lasted for 30 seconds. The scenario imagines the impact on the Anchorage area if the earthquake had lasted 20 seconds longer and asks what disaster response would be necessary as a result.
According to a preliminary statement released by Lt. Col. Bryan Emerson, director of communications and public affairs officer for the Alaska Wing, the overall objective of the exercise was to better prepare the Civil Air Patrol in Alaska to respond to a variety of disasters, including catastrophic accidents, seismic activity and homeland security.
Last weekend, 57 CAP members took part in the exercise and practiced operating high frequency radios in multiple locations within the Alaska network, including Homer, Kenai, Anchorage, Fairbanks, Delta Junction, Valdez, Chistochina, Juneau and Craig. According to Emerson, there was also one radio in operation in multiple other states, including Idaho, New Mexico, Iowa, Kansas, Arizona, Montana, Colorado, Washington and Missouri.
Emerson also told told Homer News on Monday that Air Force representatives came out to observe the exercise and were “impressed.” The Civil Air Patrol is a U.S. Air Force auxiliary organization.
A follow-on exercise is currently scheduled for May 2026.
Learn more about the Civil Air Patrol Alaska Wing at akwg.cap.gov/.
Senior members Adam Greenwald (left) and Nathan Traugott work with Civil Air Patrol Homer Squadron cadets to prepare 24-hour mission packs for a disaster response exercise on Aug. 9-10, 2025, in Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Laurie Gentle)
Civil Air Patrol Homer Squadron Senior Member Jon Crocker takes part in the disaster response exercise that occurred Aug. 9-10, 2025, across the state of Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Laurie Gentle)
