CAP Debuts sUAS as Search and Rescue Tool in S. Dakota

[etodd]

Civil Air Patrol's first two searches using small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) are in the books after a pair of South Dakota Wing missions.

The wing began deploying drones with a missing-person search in Custer State Park in Custer County, on the state's western border, after a 22-year-old South Dakota School of Mines and Technology was last seen at his Rapid City residence, where he mentioned he was going out for a hike. When his family reported him missing, Civil Air Patrol was called to assist.

The wing responded in its usual fashion. Members were contacted and asked to help. CAP aircrews were deployed and aided in the search. The wing coordinated with local authorities, ready to assist in any way it could.

The man was found dead Sept. 25, the victim of an apparent fall.

In the meantime, the South Dakota Wing had taken a new approach to the search, using new tools and new techniques.

The search marked the first time CAP used drones in a corporate search and rescue mission.

https://www.cap.news/cap-debuts-suas-as-search-and-rescue-tool-in-s-dakota/