PAC-04-A-237-S 23 NOV 04 (SAR) 210TH RQS, 211TH RQS, 212TH RQS, ANCHORAGE CAP, KENAI CAP, ELMENDORF CAP, SEWARD CAP, HOMER CAP
Mission opened in response to an FAA report for an overdue aircraft flying from Palmer to Seldovia. The 210th, 211th, and 212th RQS were tasked and responded with a HH-60, HC-130 and pararescuemen (PJ’s). Anchorage, Elmendorf, Birchwood, Kenai, Seward and Homer CAP squadrons were tasked as well and each provided several search aircraft. The search lasted for five days and all leads were investigated, however no signs of the o/d aircraft were found. Finally on day six, the o/d pilot made contact with a USCG HC-130 airborne on a training flight and relayed his position. A 210th RQS HH-60 with 212th RQS PJ’s onboard recovered the uninjured pilot and flew him back to Anchorage. The pilot’s aircraft had been claimed by the rising tide after he landed on a beach 15 miles past his destination, and was unable to start the aircraft. He used gear recovered from the aircraft to survive, and eventually hiked to an abandoned cabin where he found a radio. The 210th RQS HH-60 flew seven sorties for 14.4 hours, the 211th RQS HC-130 flew three sorties for 5.8 hours and the 212th RQS PJ’s flew on both aircraft for a total of 18.1 hours. Anchorage CAP flew 13 sorties for 39.2 hours, Birchwood CAP flew 16 sorties for 52 hours, Elmendorf CAP flew seven sorties for 25.5 hours, Homer CAP flew six sorties for 12.3 hours, Kenai CAP flew 17 sorties for 43.8 hours, and Seward CAP flew nine sorties for 29.2 hours. One save awarded.
PAC-04-A-243-S 01 DEC 04 (SAR) ANCHORAGE CAP
Mission opened in response to SARSAT reports of an ELT in the Anchorage area. Anchorage CAP was tasked and responded with a ground team which localized the ELT signal to the Elmendorf AFB area. Air force personnel were dispatched to investigate a suspect antenna farm on Elmendorf where a radio control head was discovered to be the source of the signal. The radio was secured and reset to the proper operating mode. The Anchorage CAP ground team searched for one hour and claimed no expenses. No credits were awarded.
PAC-04-A-246-A 10 DEC 04 (ASSIST) KOTZEBUE CAP
Mission opened in response to a request for assistance from the AK State Troopers (AST), to search for an overdue snowmobiler in the Noorvik area. Kotzebue CAP (OTZ CAP) was tasked and responded with a search aircraft. A civilian ground search party located the snowmobiler in a cabin, non-distress. The OTZ CAP was notified and returned to base. OTZ CAP flew three sorties for 5.5 hours. One located awarded.
PAC-04-A-247-A 14 DEC 04 (ASSIST) KOTZEBUE CAP & AASF-NOME
Mission opened in response to a request from the Alaska State Troopers (AST) in nome to search for two overdue snowmobilers that were hunting between Nome and Council. The AASF-Nome and Kotzebue (OTZ) CAP were each tasked and responded with a UH-60L, and search aircraft respectively. The overdue snowmobilers self-recovered to Nome before SAR assets could locate them. All search aircraft were then notified to RTB. The AASF-Nome UH-60L flew one sortie for 2.7 hours. The OTZ CAP flew two sorties for 4.4 hours. No credits awarded.
PAC-04-A-250-A 20 DEC 04 (ASSIST) 210TH RQS DET-1, 211TH RQS, 212TH RQS & ANCHORAGE CAP
Mission opened in response to a request for assistance from the Alaska State Troopers (AST) in Cantwell to search for an overdue (o/d) snowmobiler southwest of Cantwell. The o/d snowmobiler was lightly clothed, had limited fuel and was not familiar with the local area. The Anchorage (ANC) CAP, 210th RQS Det-1, 211th RQS and 212th RQS were tasked and responded with a C-206, HH-60, HC-130 and pararescuemen (PJ’s). An AST helicopter located and recovered the o/d snowmodiler before the HH-60 arrived on scene, and while the ANC CAP was waiting out weather in talkeetna. The ANC CAP flew two sorties for 1.8 hours. The 210th RQS Det-1 HH-60 and 212th RQS PJ’s each flew one sortie for 1.0 hours, and the 211th RQS HC-130 did not get airborne. One save awarded.
PAC-04-A-251-S 22 DEC 04 (SAR) 210TH RQS DET-1, 212TH RQS, EIELSON CAP & FAIRBANKS CAP
Mission opened in response to an FAA report of an overdue aircraft between Fairbanks (FAI) and the Yukon Flats. The FAI and Eielson (EIL) CAP along with the 210th RQS Det-1 and 212th RQS were tasked and responded with several search airplanes, a HH-60 helicopter and pararescuemen (PJ`s). A CAP aircraft located the overdue airplane at its destination and the HH-60 deployed two pj`s, who assisted the pilot in freeing his ski-equipped airplane from overflow ice. Once free, the pilot flew his airplane back to FAI. FAI CAP flew four sorties for 9.3 hours, EIL CAP flew one sortie for 1.2 hours and the 210th RQS Det-1 HH-60 and 212th RQS PJ`s flew one sortie for 2.7 hours. One assist awarded.
PAC-04-A-252-A 25 DEC 04 (ASSIST) SEWARD CAP
Mission opened in response to a request from the AK State Troopers (AST) to search for two overdue snowmobilers in the Kenai Lake area. Seward CAP was tasked and responded with a search aircraft. An AST helicopter located the snowmobilers. They were lost but in good condition. Seward CAP flew one sortie for 1.7 hours. Two assists awarded.