The Russians are Comin!...The Russians are Comin'!

[SKYKING607]

Early one evening I was called by a member of my squadron to go ELT huntin'.  So there were four of us by "launch" time.

We went to the "high ground" and the signal was coming from the north... leading us to speculate the Los Angeles Int'l. Airport area.  After a circle of that mess...the signal still pointed north.   Hmmmmmmmmm....

Just north of LAX is little Santa Monica airport.  We circled that airport and the signal was still indicating north and slightly west.  We followed the signal up the Malibu coast.  Scenic at night...no one but us guys in green running around.

We arrived in the Point Mugu/Port Hueneme area.  Our early evening fun has turned into early morning by now.  After explaining our presence and appearance to numerous front gate NCO's, we were escorted on base.  The strongest signal was coming from a docked Amphibious Landing Ship.  The OD didn't like our presence or appearance either (see a pattern here?).

After an explanation on what an ELT and EPIRB was we were asked a professional question:  "Just how did you guys receive this signal?"  Well, we explained that the SARSAT had picked it up we were notified to come turn-it-off.  The crew didn't move very fast until we informed him that this particular satellite is a "soviet" product. 

The signal vanished within three minutes after that.