Civil Air Patrol's Pennsylvania Wing was called on to assist in the search for three Boy Scouts and a Scout leader in Woodward Township after they were reported missing since 4 p.m. Nov. 19.
Some 43 CAP members searched through the night and were ready to launch aircraft at daybreak. They joined state police, a K9 unit and several fire departments in looking for the the area north of Lock Haven along Route 664 in Clinton County in north central Pennsylvania.
The Scouts and their leader were found alive and well by members of the Haneyville Police Department. The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center credited CAP with the assist.CAP News Online: Pa. Wing members assist in successful search for missing Scouts, leader
:: Sending CAP Cadets (I know that PAWG teams are pretty Cadet heavy.) to go find Boy Scouts... I couldn't help but chuckle at that one. (sorry! I'm going to hell! I know that!) Sure, it wouldn't be funny if someone had been hurt... but nobody was injured, so I'm going to have to go ahead and make fun of them.
All kidding aside, good on the Scouts for taking shelter in a small shack.
One lesson to be learned here is that night ground search is an important skill that should be taught and practiced by CAP Ground Teams.
My team all complete G649: GROUND SEARCH AND RESCUE which is a two day course (16 contact hours) that our State recognizes for certification. Then of course we regularly exercise the skill in the field. (Once or twice a year us usually enough to stay proficient.) A portion of the field training part of the course is taught at night.
If I was the CAP Ground Team Leader, I may have been tempted to hand the Boy Scouts CAP recruiting brochures when they were all back at the mission base sipping hot chocolate.
We should have a bumper sticker, "My CAP Cadet can rescue your Boy Scout!" :-)
Posted by: mlcurtis69 | November 21, 2006 at 08:16
"Civil Air Patrol - Rescuing Lost Boy Scouts Since 1941"
Posted by: KidMystic | November 21, 2006 at 20:02
Before we all get too giddy, recall that CAP ground team (we all experienced this at least once) that got lost while driving to find a target during a sarex.
Having a son in the Cub Scouts, I know that many times they are commanded by a parent that has the time, but not the expertise to be a leader.
Poking a little fun is fine but next time it may be one of ours that needs a little help.
Happy Turkey Day!
Posted by: Capflight | November 22, 2006 at 09:21
I have a unique perspective on this.
Former cadet
Ground Team GTM2
NESA trained
Former Cadet First Sergeant
Former Cadet Commander
Eagle Scout
Former Senior Patrol Leader
Assistant Scoutmaster
Emergency Prep merit badge counciler
OA Brother
NREMT Basic
Now that we have that out of the way, I have met plenty of GT members senior and cadet alike that couldent hold a candle to my scouts in a field environment. Conversly there are some scouts out there that I think should be escorted by Air Force Pararescumen at all times just in case. The same goes the other way around. The simple way to put it is that some troops are good and some are bad, some ground teams are good and some are bad. Luckily we help each other out but that dosent mean we have the right to make fun of each other. It could blow up in our face the next time a scout unit rescues a cadet flight that gets lost doing PT. (true story there)
Posted by: nesagsar | January 13, 2008 at 23:59