Patience Can Be Worth it......

Recently, an aircrew of Group 22 personnel were activated for a REDCAP in the greater Rockford area. Airborne reports were of an active ELT somewhere NW of Chicago, and a mission number was assigned by AFRCC.

Group 22 Deputy Commander Capt. Joe Long (MP), LCCS Commander Capt. Brian Pokuta (MO), and Palwaukee's Capt. John Hanusin (MS) responded. The signal was tracked down to the vicinity east of Rockford, with the aircrew initially thinking it might have been at a nearby hospital's helipad. Further electronic search isolated it at Poplar Grove Airport, where the plane landed to confirm the signal source.

Capt. Pokuta, a qualified UDF member who had possession of a hand-held radio, proceeded to acquire the signal on the ground. After only ten minutes of DF work, the aircraft was located, and the antenna was silenced with a foil 'tent' due to the owner being out of town.

This mission had some significance for PWK Admin Officer, Capt. Hanusin. A qualified aircrew member for over a decade, Hanusin had never been involved in a mission 'FIND' previously. His fellow aircrew members on this mission had glowing praise for his abilities, and thanked him for his quick availability and diligence in his duties. "After spending more time training and re-qualifying every few years than actual mission flying, it was great that he was able to step right in to the mission role and perform admirably. This is a credit to the training that we provide to our members in Group 22, and I hope to utilize him in the future for further mission work", stated Capt. Long.

Squadron Commander, Capt. Jim Griggs, and Deputy Commander, 1st Lt. John Trimarco presented Hanusin his FIND ribbon at a recent meeting. "A lot of others who don't feel that they are utilized enough, might have gotten jaded long before this type of scenario could have happened. It is a testament to Capt. Hanusin's character that he has continually been engaged at Palwaukee for almost 14 years, waiting patiently for his moment", said Lt. Trimarco.

Congratulations, Capt. Hanusin!