For more than 15 years, the National Radar Analysis Team has been a cornerstone of Civil Air Patrol’s search and rescue operations, carrying out a mission to “shorten the crash- to-rescue time.”
The team has supported nearly 1,000 missions, resulting in 581 finds and 93 saves. Its rapid response and advanced data analysis have improved the efficiency and effectiveness of CAP’s emergency services.
The radar team provides very accurate ADS-B data (much more accurate than Flight Aware) within a few minutes of being activated.
Most recently, the team was credited with a find for helping locate a missing aircraft on sea ice in Alaska and a save for support provided in locating another downed aircraft in California.
“We could tell with the extreme altitude loss between the last two radar hits that it was not likely to be a positive outcome,” Lt. Col. John Henderson, the team’s vice commander and web developer, said of the Alaska mission.
“We haven’t received coordinates of where the wreckage was found, how close we were, but probably very close.”
Henderson said he wasn’t aware at the time that the team was dealing with sea ice, not open ocean. “It took longer than expected to locate because of darkness and adverse weather,” he said.
Ten people perished in the Feb. 6 accident in western Alaska, but a passenger in another deadly accident Feb. 28 in Riverside, California, survived — thanks in part to the radar team’s quick efforts to locate his missing aircraft.
Upon activation by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, the team has analyzed products within about 20 minutes. The team integrates various datasets — including radar, weather, ADS-B, elevation, and time tracking — to accurately predict the location of downed aircraft.
This swift and comprehensive approach has reduced search times from weeks or days to hours, proving critical in such missions.
Recognizing the need for improved low-altitude aircraft tracking, the team has partnered with uAvionix to deploy a network of dual-band ADS-B receivers. This collaboration aims to enhance coverage in areas with limited Federal Aviation Administration tracking, increasing the accuracy and speed of locating missing aircraft.
In a demonstration for the New Mexico Wing earlier this year at Kirtland Air Force Base, Henderson showcased the team’s web-based analysis tool. The platform seamlessly integrates multiple data sources, providing a comprehensive view of an aircraft’s last known position. The tool exemplifies the team’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance mission outcomes and support ground and air rescue teams effectively.
The team “has transformed how we allocate resources,” said Lt. Col. Larry Zentner, the New Mexico Wing’s search and rescue officer.
“Before, we relied on slow, broad searches. Now, instead of covering a 25-mile area, we can go straight to the most likely crash site, saving critical time, resources, and effort.”
Henderson attributed the team’s success to the dedication and expertise of its nine members, including its commander, Lt. Col. Mark Young. Their collective efforts, along with the support of CAP volunteers nationwide, underscore the organization’s commitment to serving America’s communities, saving lives, and shaping futures.
As aviation technology evolves, the radar team remains at the forefront, continually enhancing CAP’s search and rescue capabilities through innovation and collaboration._____Capt. Mark ChappellDirector of Emergency ServicesNew Mexico Wing
