The Thames River Composite Squadron held a major Search and Rescue Training Exercise 23 January. Crews participated in a wide range of activities designed to test the capabilities of the Squadron's Air Operations Team while simultaneously providing valuable aircrew training.
A total of six sorties were successively launched with no sortie start time deviating by more than three minutes from the planned time during the entire eight hour session.
The search missions were based upon two scenarios. The first postulated a missing aircraft on a Brainard Airport to Groton Airport flight and called for a Route Search. The second scenario involved was based upon a citizen's report of an aircraft crashing in the vicinity of an Old Lyme golf course.
A wide range of skills were practiced including Mission Planning, Communications, Flight Line Marshaling, Safety Assessments, and Operations Documentation.
The weather was most cooperative with light winds and unlimited visibility and ceiling..
Of special note, Lt Miller, ably assisted by Senior Member Scott Owens did a great job dealing with communications challenges.
Capt Paul Noniewicz and Lt Scott Farley were responsible for much of the pre-mission planning while Maj Keith Neilson served as "Air Boss" and directed the day's activities. Neilson, Farley, and Lt Col Wisehart served as Mission Pilots. Lt Cols Kinch and Doucette and Lts Miller and Manner flew as Mission Observers. Lts Charles Dickinson and Owens trained as Observers, and Lt Col Leif Bergey and SMs Robert Looney and Giancarlo Dell'Orco filled the Mission Scanner training slots.
Maj Rocketto, the Squadron Public Affairs Officer escorted New London Day reporter Megan Bard and photographer Sean Elliot. Both Day journalists flew on one of the missions. Interviews were conducted and a story appeared in The Day on Sunday, January 31st, accompanied by an on-line video story on The Day website.
Submitted by Maj Stephen Rocketto
Thames River PAO
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