09/02/2026
The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center activated Civil Air Patrol’s Rhode Island Wing Aug. 3 in response to SARSAT satellite detection of an unknown emergency distress radio beacon in the area. Personnel stood up an incident command center and deployed an Urban Direction Finding team, which tracked the moving beacon from southeastern Massachusetts to Providence.
Using direction-finding radio equipment, CAP’s ground assets tracked down the personal locator beacon — a type of distress beacon often carried by hikers — to a commercial vehicle parked at a residential home in Providence’s West End. Thankfully there was no emergency situation. CAP deactivated the distress beacon and educated the owner on its proper use, registration, and storage.
Civil Air Patrol stands ready to respond to a wide range of our nation’s emergencies with integrated multi-domain aviation and ground assets, no matter the scenario, no matter when the call comes. Our operational readiness is summed up in our organization’s motto: Semper Vigilans, meaning “Always Vigilant.”
