Members of the Civil Air Patrol Western NY Group are pictured after successfully locating an emergency transmitter after being activated by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center.

The Civil Air Patrol’s New York Wing was activated recently by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center in response to a distress beacon activation.

Members of the Western NY Group utilized their skills, training, and resources to locate the emergency transmitter.

Due to the location of the emergency beacon they needed assistance from state, county, and Seneca Nation agencies. Members of the Western New York Group were activated in the late afternoon and worked diligently through the evening into the night to find the source of the signal. They were hampered by heavy rains and lightning at times, making them have to pause at intervals for safety. At 11 p.m. the group successfully found a personal locator beacon which had been inadvertently activated due to a low battery. It was determined that no victims were involved in the incident.

The Civil Air Patrol provides emergency services, promotes aviation, and supports local communities.

The Civil Air Patrol is chartered by Congress as a nonprofit organization for the purposes of youth development, aerospace education, and to promote general aviation.

In an auxiliary role as a Total Force partner of the Air Force, CAP operates the world’s largest fleet of single-engine aircraft for search and rescue, disaster relief, training, and education.