399th Danbury Squadron Holds S&R Training

DANBURY, CT – Members of two Civil Air Patrol squadrons from Western Connecticut Group participated in a field training exercise, conducted at Danbury Municipal Airport on October 19, 2013, designed to increase the number of qualified ground team members for search and rescue activities.

Fifteen Civil Air Patrol cadets and officers from the 399th Danbury Composite Squadron and 801st New Fairfield Squadron attended the event and received ground team member and urban direction finding training. Instruction was hands on with participants actively carrying out the skills they learned in a series of challenging exercises.

Training was conducted by 399th Squadron staff. Major Jim Vigar, commander of the 399th, conducted the safety briefing, taught map reading and how to conduct a ramp search by stepping off frequency with a hand held radio. Major Glen Dains instructed participants how to determine bearings to a distress beacon utilizing the L-Tronics Little L-Per and how to deactivate a beacon. Captain Drew Teichman reviewed compass and map navigation, signal triangulation, and gear requirements, among other topics. Second Lieutenant Jeff Jenkins instructed participants in proper radio communication procedures and how to properly inspect a vehicle.

Although some personnel still need to complete more tasks, they are a small step away from being fully qualified ground team members. The upcoming Connecticut Wing Search and Rescue Exercise, scheduled for November 2, 2013 at Danbury Municipal Airport, offers the opportunity for additional training and completion of specialty qualifications.