 After leaving Cambridge a notification was received from the wing’s Incident Command Post (ICP) at Martin State Airport to divert to the Dewey Beach area to search for the transmission of an actual emergency signal. This was one of multiple emergencies responded to during the day throughout the state by the Maryland Wing concurrent with the SAREX/evaluation. Receiving permission to operate within Delaware the team kept in constant radio contact en route with three CAP aircraft conducting the airborne search to isolate the distress signal. The aircrew determined that the signal was emitting from a seaplane anchored in Rehobath Bay about 50 yards off the coast. The Wicomico Ground Team verified the signal was from the seaplane after assurance that the signal was not from a helicopter located on the shore about 200 yards from the seaplane. In the absence of water surface transportation to the seaplane Ground Team member Lt Col George Murray, accompanied by the owner/pilot, waded to the anchored airplane. The Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) was found within the aircraft and the signal turned off. The ground team verified the cessation of the signal from the shore. The IC relieved the CAP aircraft from the search. All necessary ELT and aircraft information was obtained, recorded and reported to the IC. The Wicomico Composite Squadron Ground Team was instructed to return to its Salisbury headquarters. Due to the long day and upbeat tempo of events, a Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) session was held after arriving at the headquarters as requested by the the Maryland Wing CISM Officer. Additionally, the IC was notified of the team's safe return. Members were relieved from duty to return to their homes after a long, intense and rewarding day. All members received credit for a non-distressed find. Between the exercise, actual emergency missions and Bay Patrol (conducted simultaneously with the other wing activities), the Maryland Wing fielded 12 aircraft that conducted 16 air sorties and 7 ground teams that conducted 17 ground sorties. Thirty-one persons staffed the Incident Command Post and, across all missions, 123 emergency services personnel were active. As a result the Maryland Wing received the top rating of Highly Successful from the U.S. Air Force. This is a indication of the wing’s outstanding capability to safely and effectively execute the Air Force’s non-combat search and rescue missions. For additional information click here to visit the Maryland Wing Website. Photo credits: 1st Lt Zachary Mitchell and Lt Col George R. Murray, Jr. |
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Missions for America Maryland Wing
Commander:
Col John M. Knowles, CAP Vice Commander: Lt Col William Parris, CAP Chief of Staff Lt Col Joe Winter, CAP Group II
Commander: Maj Chris Howell, CAP Wicomico Composite Squadron Command Staff
Commander:
Capt David Argentieri, CAP Deputy Commander for Seniors Lt Col Kenneth S. Thom, CAP Deputy Commander for Cadets: 1st Lt Zachary Mitchell, CAP (Click on name to send email.) |
Activities >
Wicomico has a busy day!posted Jun 5, 2011 11:03 AM by IT Officer [ updated Jun 18, 2011 1:41 PM ] |