Submitted Photo Lt. Col. Dean Reiter trains cadets on civilian and military direction finding to locate emergency locator transmitter beacons from highway, aircraft, and operations on foot.

Civil Air Patrol members from all four corners of North Dakota Wing gathered in Minot March 25 to participate in their largest search and rescue exercise (SAREX) since 2019.

Operations included aerial search from one of the wing’s Cessna 182 aircraft and ground search teams mobilized with CAP vehicles. Cadets from Minot and Bismarck practiced direction finding, with the instruction of senior members, to be able to find emergency locator transmitter (ELT) beacons. The beacons send a constant radio signal from downed aircraft and/or some distressed hikers equipped with handheld beacons, which allow CAP teams to triangulate and/or home in the beacon’s location.

Crews earned valuable training throughout the day by integrating the air and ground portions of search and rescue in real time using radio and cellular communications. ND Wing Group 2 Commander, Maj. Noah Warren, acting as safety officer for the day said that he was glad to see “we’re able to perform ground team exercises today. Which is a first here at Minot.”

Acting as a Total Force partner and official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, Civil Air Patrol helps First Air Force rapidly respond to nonmilitary threats domestically in a Defense Support of Civil Authorities capacity to save lives, relieve suffering, prevent property damage and provide humanitarian assistance.