NJ Civil Air Patrol Units track down distress signal in Cape May County
The Civil Air Patrol conducts inland search and rescue missions.
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The activation of a distress beacon led to a coordinated search of the Cape May County area by teams from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
The mission began when the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center sent an "urgent request" to Civil Air Patrol stating that a personal locator beacon was pinging in South Jersey — a sign to search and rescue crews that immediate help is needed. The New Jersey Wing of the CAP assembled two teams to begin the search, according to a statement from the Civil Air Patrol.
"Our members demonstrated exactly what Civil Air Patrol is trained to do — respond quickly, work together and get results," Jersey Wing Commander Col. Amy Myzie said. "Their efforts ensured this signal was resolved efficiently and safely."
One team worked to triangulate the distress signal while another team traced the beacon to Ocean View, just east of Woodbine Municipal Airport. CAP officials said the beacon was located and determined to be an accidental activation, which they said is common with personal locator beacons. The device was silenced once it was determined that no danger was present.
The Civil Air Patrol conducts the majority of inland search and rescue missions as directed by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. Military officials said that in mid-2025, "AFRCC marked a significant milestone, surpassing 20,000 lives saved during its history of coordinating search and rescue operations."
