World Disaster Report (WDR) staff deployed on 7/22/2012 as a team member in a training exercise with the Hall County Georgia Search and Rescue (SAR) Team and the DeKalb Georgia Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Squadron ground team. The purpose of the exercise was to practice field environment lost person search techniques, ground/air signal techniques, and test specialized equipment in an operational venue. Our thanks go to Lt. Sigman of the CAP and cadets for including the SAR unit in this exercise. Working with two separate aircraft, participants were tasked with deploying improvised ground/air signaling devices, constructing makeshift/hasty shelters, and working with search aircraft vectoring them by radio and compass into simulated crash sites. Our WDR staff member was pleased to be able to bring solar equipment to test under field conditions.
Cadets deployed signal panels in designated fields, and CAP aircraft took photos for subsequent evaluation. While in radio contact with the fixed wing aircraft, cadets were taught how to vector the aircraft directly to their position by sound and sight using compass.
Emergency locator transmitter simulator
Solar powered battery supports command functions
radio frequencies set in command post
DeKalb Squadron Cadets await radio call from incoming aircraft
Search methods taught to group by SAR team leader Ken Hughley
solar panel component of Power Source 1800 assembly
