Urban DF Mission 09M0738 14 Aug 2009 By 1st Lt Robert Harris Public Affairs Officer
At 1700 14 August, one UDF team consisting of 1st Lt Ken Benner, C/MSgt Michael Benner, 1st Lt Bob Harris, 2nd Lt Aaron Stout, from Squadron 45, Group 3 were dispatched to the San Diego Metro area to search for an ELT picked up by a CAP aircraft. The coordinates were approximately 3 miles S.W. of the Mission Bay VOR. Leaving at 1700 the team from sq 45 proceeded to the general area where they picked up another UDF team member Maj. Mark Wallace, from Squadron 57 Group 7.
After meeting up at the corner of Laurel Street and Pacific Coast Highway the team began their search based upon general information. The team first scanned for the ELT just north of Laurel and PCH from a parking lot and located adjacent to the Navy Base. We heard good sweeps and proceeded to another location further south off PCH in a park next to Mission Bay. On the second scan we had very good sweep tone and direction and plotted a location right across the bay on Coronado Island.
Major Wallace determined that the location was either very close to the Naval Air Station or on it. As the team made their way to the Coronado Bridge to cross we were very glad to have Maj Wallace as our tracker. He knew the lay of the land, the streets access to the right freeways.
The team took another scan after arriving on the island off of B Street. The signal became weak almost undetectable. The decision was to move closer to the Naval Air Station and have another go at scanning the area. The signal became very strong at the next location and the team determined that the ELT was on the base. Entering the base the Marine and police checked out our credentials and let the team vehicle through without incident. They also radioed their security that the team would be searching on the base.
Proceeding toward the runways team members scanned the area again and determined that the ELT was coming from the helicopter field. After reaching the helo hangers the team began the job of boxing in the signal. After determining that the signal was coming from the ramp or the hangers the team scanned the first hanger with no results. The signal was stronger outside and toward the helo’s parked on the ramp. Making all the necessary adjustments the team determined that the ELT signal was coming from the lead helo on the ramp, which belonged the Executive Officer (XO). Contacting a supervisor at the hanger the team found the ELT and deactivated the distress beacon at 2243.
While on the 1st mission the team leader was informed that another distress beacon was detected in the area and a new another ELT search was needed. The location of the second beacon was estimated to be at or near Gillespie Field out in El Cajon, California. Again thanks to Maj Wallace who knew the lay of the metro area and lived very close to the airfield showed us the way to the location. As a CAP pilot, he had access to the airport where several CAP planes are located, and guided us to and let us into Gillespie Field. At 2350 we picked up the distress beacon with the sniffer after gaining access to the ramps and terminals. After a sweep of the field and terminals it was determined that the ELT was isolated to a locked privately owned hanger. Team leader called it in and attempts were made to contact Airport Manager and an emergency contact without any results. The team leader contacted the Incident Commander (IC) reported our findings determinations. After another hour and numerous attempts to contact someone in authority the IC called the mission a success even without disarming the ELT.
Congratulations to 2Lt Aaron Stout on his first find!!
A successful mission with both ELT’s located and one disarmed the other reported to authorities. If you are interested in UDF team participation and ES missions contact 1st Lt Ken Benner
