http://www.krgv.com/news/local/story/Air-Force-Team-Joins-Search-for-Pilot-in-Mexico/Mv5iL7z3Z0SSw5TG_ptFNA.cspx
QuoteMCALLEN - The United States and Mexico have joined forces to look for a McAllen pilot who went missing in Mexico.
A special Air Force Auxiliary Team called the Civil Air Patrol launched their efforts to search, and if need be rescue Andy Howard.
Howard was reported missing about a week ago.
He was flying home from Torreon, Mexico.
Family members say he was forced to fly off-course towards San Fernando because of bad weather.
The volunteer pilots of the Civil Air Patrol say they will help search for Howard until he is found, or until they are told to stop.
Anyone have any more details?
My Wing's PA sent us a link to the same story, with a comment that CAP was, in fact, in Mexico searching.
I imagine this is going to be an interesting story, regardless...
What Wing/Wings are doing the search? TX? From reading some related articles, it mentions the USAF is working with the US Embassy in Mexico CIty and the US Embassy will fund 5 days of the search.
It would almost have to be the TX Wing. McAllen is near the border of Mexico just north of Brownsville TX. The aircraft, N53DJ, is believed to have ran out of fuel 40-80 miles south of McAllen on the way back from Torreon Mexico. It was a charter flight that dropped off two passengers, decided not to refuel, and then took off for the return flight to McAllen. The airplane went down on 31 Aug. This article talks about a private search party of four airplanes organized by the charter company that was searching in Mexico.
http://www.themonitor.com/articles/howard-30285-mcallen-pilot.html
Yep, I know for a fact it's TX wing.
Dont leave us hanging! So are they actually searching IN Mexico or are they searching the border and routes back to McAllen?
They are actually crossing the border by invitation of the Mexican government.
Wow....we are going to need a CAP Expeditionary Medal! I hope this turns out well.
WOW...an invasion of Mexico. How ironic!!!
Does this qualify the crews for the VFW?
Hmm...I recall conversations regarding the "U.S." name tapes that insisted they were unnecessary because we never leave the US.
Who knew?
With that said, I'd have to think about 3 times before I would consider venturing into the Mexican desert on a ground search, especially near the border...
Quote from: Eclipse on September 09, 2009, 05:43:51 PM
With that said, I'd have to think about 3 times before I would consider venturing into the Mexican desert on a ground search, especially near the border...
You and me both...an air search isn't particularly appealing either. Not so long as I have a civilian status anyway.
Quote from: MooneyMeyer on September 09, 2009, 05:23:27 PM
They are actually crossing the border by invitation of the Mexican government.
Well, it just so happens it is aerospace current events at our meeting tonight, I'll be sure to mention this neat little fact. :clap:
This just out.
New announcement for National Cadet Special Activities and new requirements for Mission Pilot/Observer/Scanner SQTR
http://www.gosere.com/
As much as I like the jokes (they are pretty funny) I am really interested in the backstory of this. How did we end up being the search party, in another country? Why wouldn't the AF take this one on its own? Or perhaps border patrol?
I think it is really neat that we're crossing the border to do this, but there doesn't seem to be much in terms of news on our end.
Have there been missions where we've done something like this before? How about into Canadian Territory?
Quote from: jimmydeanno on September 09, 2009, 07:09:26 PM
Have there been missions where we've done something like this before? How about into Canadian Territory?
Are you kidding? It pretty much takes a signed statement from god just to take the airplane to another state. ;)
I remember at least one joint SAR with Canada in the NY Border area back in the late 70's...
I had heard that they were looking for aircrew members with passports from all over for this mission.
Having flown in Mexico a bunch of times, I seem to recall that Mexico has no Search and Rescue organization, so you are on your own if you venture into that country. Not terrible surprised that they are allowing CAP to go down there and search for that guy. It certainly would be an adventure, as is all GA flying in Mexico.
Its true...the pilot lost is a friend of people I know. In fact, a fellow asked me a few days prior to the activation if it was possible for CAP to get involved. I explained the subtleties of DOD and State Department machinations with the Mexican government.
This is a mission of history setting precedents, we need to make sure we are professional in our practices as in all occasions.
CAP was in Mexico in WWII. Flying Minutemen, p. 41-42
A CAP plane flew 150 miles into Mexican waters in 1943 to escort a valuable cargo ship. During the flight they were intercepted by 3 Mexican aircraft but apparently continued with the mission. The landed at Vera Cruz to refuel and were detained for a while until the crews of the Mexican aircraft landed and told the folks on the ground what had been going on. NOt long after this event CAP was officially cleared to escort ships through Mexican waters.
I was a little surprised to see that one of those old AF-style insignias on the tail on one of the GA-8 (with a CAP triangle in the middle). I had thought those were too Air Forcey for us now.
Quote from: RiverAux on September 10, 2009, 03:19:46 AM
I was a little surprised to see that one of those old AF-style insignias on the tail on one of the GA-8 (with a CAP triangle in the middle). I had thought those were too Air Forcey for us now.
I'm not sure if the CAP Roundel is part of the paint jobs on newly delivered aircraft, does anyone know?
I do know it still appears on many CAP aircraft, though those may have been painted years ago.
Personally I like it and believe it ought to be prominent on all of our aircraft, but that's just my opinion.
Thom Hamilton
Quote from: jimmydeanno on September 09, 2009, 07:09:26 PM
As much as I like the jokes (they are pretty funny) I am really interested in the backstory of this. How did we end up being the search party, in another country? Why wouldn't the AF take this one on its own? Or perhaps border patrol?
I think it is really neat that we're crossing the border to do this, but there doesn't seem to be much in terms of news on our end.
Have there been missions where we've done something like this before? How about into Canadian Territory?
Are you actually a CAP member?
I can't believe that any CAP member would not realize that the USAF simply does not have the SAR capability of the CAP. Neither does the Border Patrol, and in any case the Border Patrol is a little busy right now.
In regards to the Border Patrol, they have BORSTAR which are very capable, very skilled SAR and tactical teams. Not to mention they have a solid capabilities in regards to fixed wing and helicopter assets. to complete the mission. Of course they dont have hundreds of Cessna 182's, keep in mind there are only a hand full of CAP planes even participating. If the guy is found in MX, the mexican officials will do the rescue.
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/border_security/border_patrol/special_oper/borstar/borstar_history.xml
We've apparently been asked to help as part of a larger team and evidently responded with what was requested. What more can be asked of us?
Apparently the search is over. http://www.themonitor.com/news/mcallen-30561-called-missing.html
Quote from: RiverAux on September 14, 2009, 05:26:04 PM
Apparently the search is over. http://www.themonitor.com/news/mcallen-30561-called-missing.html
The state of Tamaulipas is going to resume searching with their
one search helicopter. I feel better already.
I am proud to say that our squadron contributed an aircrew and our plane to this search. Pretty cool!!!
Quote from: cap235629 on September 16, 2009, 02:54:49 AM
I am proud to say that our squadron contributed an aircrew and our plane to this search. Pretty cool!!!
I flew your plane on a high bird sortie during this mission, steam guage 182T's are a bit rair, and yours was a nice one. Great flying a/c.
Quote from: PhotogPilot on September 19, 2009, 12:20:13 AM
Quote from: cap235629 on September 16, 2009, 02:54:49 AM
I am proud to say that our squadron contributed an aircrew and our plane to this search. Pretty cool!!!
I flew your plane on a high bird sortie during this mission, steam guage 182T's are a bit rair, and yours was a nice one. Great flying a/c.
we also have the newest version of the Becker installed, the only one in the fleet at this time. It is SDIS and Photo window installed, but we all know the issues with the SDIS, the only thing it doesn't have is archer and the new predator stuff. Now if we can only upgrade the manual autopilot, (still waiting for the "patch" to make one work) Yes it is a nice airframe. The plane came back filthy by the way ;) but we are in the process of rectifying that. Come by the squadron sometime and bring a toothbrush!!!!
So whatever happened with this Search?
called off. No find.