Submitted Photo A Civil Air Patrol aircraft, similar to those participating in a disaster response training exercise this week, is parked outside a hangar.

Members of Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, throughout the seven states of CAP’s North Central Region are participating in a multi-state disaster response training exercise this week.

In coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the exercise will simulate a dam failure in North Dakota, resulting in flooding in many states downriver. Two CAP Regions and 10 CAP wings (states) across four FEMA regions will participate in the exercise.

Civil Air Patrol aircrew will be providing aerial photo reconnaissance over rivers and other waterways and may include assessment of critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, dams and levees, according to information from CAP.

Formal disaster relief and search and rescue training exercises are held on a regular basis throughout the region several times each year.

“It is only through frequent training that the members of North Central Region are ready when their communities in need call for assistance,” said Lt. Col. Rick Larson, exercise coordinator, in the news release. “This exercise simulates a large-scale incident and stresses coordination among multiple wings as well as state and federal agencies – situations that often happen in real-world events.”

Acting as a Total Force partner and official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, Civil Air Patrol helps First Air Force rapidly respond to nonmilitary threats domestically in a Defense

Support of Civil Authorities capacity to save lives, relieve suffering, prevent property damage and provide humanitarian assistance.

The North Central Region is one of eight geographical regions of CAP and includes more than 4,700 members organized in more than 110 units throughout the states of Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.