At approximately 0930, ILWG issued a REDCAP alert after multiple reports of a distress beacon heard at altitudes between 2500-20,000 ft. The initial reports seemed to put the beacon in the vicinity of Rockford, IL. After the data was reviewed by the Incident Commander, Ground Team Alpha, was released to the area west of Elgin, IL.
The team consisted of Palwaukee personnel 1st Lts. Damon Card (GTL), Scott McKnight, John Trimarco, and Captains Jim Griggs and Axel Velazquez. Upon reaching the rally point, the team was assigned The Landings Airport (82IS) near Gilberts, IL. The Gippsland GA-8 initially localized the signal in that vicinity. After reaching the airfield, the signal was acquired on the ground and quickly located in a nearby hangar. The C172 in question was in the process of being worked on, and the mechanic was still on-scene.
Team Leader Lt. Card was very pleased with the timely response PWK managed. "Lately we have seen an uptick in mission activity within the Wing, all without SARSAT now, and the continued quick response window from PWK is a great asset in this more complex environment".
Also responding to this alert was a Ground Team from Group 2, ILWG.
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Because of weather conditions in the area the aircrew was told to standby to see if conditions improved. It appeared that the mission would rely on ground team resources. Given todays environment, that is a lot of area to cover from the ground. It was decided to dispatch a team not only from Palwaukee (Grp 22)and Frankfort (Grp 2) but a team from Springfield (Grp 1 and 9) was also dispatched, even though they knew they might be RTB enroute, which they were. We also asked Wisconsin Wing for assistance and a UDF team checked airports from Janesville to the Illinois State line. As an Incident Commander it is gratifying to see so many Civil Air Patrol members put their personal lives on hold on a Saturday to support CAP's Emergency Services missions.
Bob Taylor Major/CAP
Mission Incident Commander
Illinois Wing Emergency Services Officer
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