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2004 RECOVERY REPORTS
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Science Fair Project
Start Date: February 8, 2004
 
First launch: February 10, 2004
 
In 2004 there were a total of 15 recoveries of 263 launches for a 5.7% recovery rate.  Seven troopers were returned via the United States Postal Service and 6 of these troopers have been returned to service and are scheduled for missions in June of 2005. 
 
One returned trooper was unable to be identified due to being exposed to the elements for several months.  Upon recovery, this trooper's name, rank, and serial number had been destoryed by wet conditions and the trooper had developed amnesia and was unable to identify himself. 
 
Of special note is Trooper Billy Transom who traveled 384 miles to Mississippi and was returned to Mission Headquarters by the Ground Allies. 
 
2004 Recoveries:
 
1 UNMANNED SQD 6 NAV       Launched: Feb 17   
  Recovered: Feb 18        Sargent Beach, TX
  Distance: 39 miles South-southwest
  Status: Decommissioned
 
2 cv Ron B. Grotts         Launched: Feb 21   
  Recovered: Feb 27        Alvin, TX
  Distance: 7 miles East
  Status: Returned to Mission Headquarters
  via U.S. Postal Service Mar 3      ACTIVE
 
3 Capt Rex G. Trent        Launched: Feb 24    
  Recovered: Feb 28        Webster, TX
  Distance: 16 miles West
  Status: Returned to Mission Headquarters
  via U.S. Postal Service Mar 6      ACTIVE
 
4 Randy D. Oaks            Launched: Feb 28    
  Recovered: Feb 28        Bear Creek Park, TX
  Distance: 39 miles Northwest
  Status: Returned to Mission Headquarters
  via U.S. Postal Service Mar 1      ACTIVE
 
5 Pvt Ronald D.Comfort     Launched: Feb 28    
  Recovered: Feb 28        Houston, TX
  Distance: 20 miles North-northwest
  Status: Returned to Mission Headquarters
  via U.S. Postal Service Mar 13     ACTIVE
 
6 Pvt Gene E. Oneal        Launched: Feb 28    
  Recovered: Mar 10        Houston, TX
  Distance: 20 miles North-northwest
  Status: Relocated Houston, TX
 
7 UNMANNED SQD 6 NAV       Launched: Feb 17   
  Recovered: Mar 15        Sargent Beach, TX
  Distance: 39 miles South-southwest
  Status: Decommissioned
 
8 Corp Kim C. Corn         Launched: Mar 17   
  Recovered: Mar 17        Pearland, TX
  Distance: 11 miles Northeast
  Status: Relocated Pearland, TX
 
9 Pvt Billy T.Transom      Launched: Mar 17   
  Recovered: Mar 18        Pass Christian, MS
  Distance: 384 miles East
  Status: Returned to Mission Headquarters
  via U.S. Postal Service Mar 19     ACTIVE
 
10 Pvt Ronald Regis        Launched: Mar 17    
  Recovered: Mar 19        Sabine Pass, TX
  Distance: 95 miles East
  Status: Returned to Mission Headquarters
  via U.S. Postal Service Apr 2      ACTIVE
 
11 Pv Mike B. Scott        Launched: Mar 19   
  Recovered: Mar 22        Alvin, TX
  Distance: 7 miles East
  Status: Relocated Alvin, TX
 
12 cv May Conner           Launched: Mar 16   
  Recovered: Mar 22        Surfside Beach, TX
  Distance: 30 miles Southeast
  Status: Relocated Surfside Beach, TX
  Note:  This recovery was reported directly to
  Balloon Troopers Headquarters
 
13 cv Anne Miller          Launched: Mar 16    
  Recovered: Apr 5         Sargent Beach, TX
  Distance: 39 miles South-southwest  
  Relocated: Sargent Beach, TX
 
14 Pvt Grady P. Mints      Launched: Mar 4    
  Recovered: Apr 20        Corpus Cristi, TX
  Distance: 170 miles Southwest
  Status: Relocated Corpus Cristi, TX 
 
15 Unidentified Trooper    Launched: Unknown  
  Recovered: Jul 4         Port Aransas, TX
  Distance: 135 miles Southwest
  Status: Returned to Mission Headquarters
  via U.S. Postal Service Aug 19    
  Placed on inactive duty pending I.D.

 
OUR FIRST RECOVERY!

nightlaunch2-17.jpg

Our first recovery occurred on the evening of Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at Sargent Beach on the Gulf Coast of Texas, approximately 40 miles south-southwest of the launch site.  Ground Allies made the recovery and initiated a SITREP email.  This recovery was handled perfectly.  We are extremely appreciative of their efforts and welcome Marie and Kenneth as our first Ground Allies!   
 
The recovered balloon was an unmanned naviagtion drone launched with Balloon Trooper Squadron 6.  The unmanned drone consisted of a pink balloon and a blue balloon which carried a "glow stick."  This unmanned balloon was used to track the location of the squadron in it's flight. The drone can be seen in the lower left of the launch photo.
 
Here is the SITREP email from Marie and Kenneth:
 
Subject: balloon trooper!
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2004 09:08:10 -0800 (PST)
To:  Vicki--Science Fair Project

Balloon Trooper! Name:  Unmanned     Ser#: *******    Launched by:  Vicki 2-17-04 Mission:  Night guidance Squad 6

Balloon Trooper found:   2 miles west from the swing bridge (draw bridge) on Sargent Beach at the water's edge (and wet) at 5:30 pm, Wednesday, February 18, 2004

One blue balloon with the attached remains of a pink popped balloon with trooper information attached, a 4X4 1/2 square of shinny foil type of paper, a 4 1/2 inch vial filled with a glow stick all tied together with black string.

The blue balloon was not there by the water's edge on the beach on our first pass but was retrieved on our second pass.

Your friend,  Marie and Kenneth *******, Sargent Beach

Thank you so much Marie and Kenneth!

trooperrandyoaksreturned.JPG

TROOPER RANDY OAKS RETURNED!
 
Trooper Oaks returned to a hero's welcome after being recovered by ground allies!  The following is the Sit-Rep sent by Rose C. from Northwest Houston:
 
From: Rose C.
Sent: Sat, Feb 28, 2004 16:21:16
Subject: We found GX106
 
We were driving through Bear Creek Park in the western part of Houston and chanced upon your trooper.  He was caught up in some underbrush with one of his two balloons busted.  He was found on February 28th around 4pm.  Good luck on your project.
 
Gary and Rose C.
 
Thank you Gary and Rose for returning the trooper!

j26rongrottsreturn.jpg

TROOPER RON B. GROTTS RETURNED!
 
Trooper Grotts was recovered and returned by Ground Allies.  Here is the SitRep email:
 
From: Ross A.
Sent: Saturday, Feb 28, 2004 7:09AM
To: owlchaser80
Subject: Balloon Trooper Found
 
fOUND AT COUNTY ROAD 941 ALVIN, TX ON 2/27/04.  Found on road.  Could have been there for weeks.  Weather has been bad for several weeks.  Balloon is in bad shape.  Trooper is in good condition.  Send mail address and I will return him to his base so he can go on another mission.
 
Thank you so much Ross for mailing the trooper back to Mission Control!
 

j26rextrentreturn.jpg

CAPTAIN REX TRENT
RECOVERED AND RETURNED!
 
Captain Trent was recovered and returned on February 28th, 2004:
 
From: Susan
To: Owlchaser80
Sent: Saturday February 28, 2004 1:36AM
Subject: Rescued Balloon
 
Dear owlchaser80
 
We have rescued your Captain Trent Serial # xxxxx.  He was rescued at xxxxxxxx Street, Webster, Texas.  He was rescued by Mr. Mike xxxxxxx who doesn't have email so we are emailing for him. 
 
Susan
 
Great job Mike and thank you Susan for getting the information to us!
 
 

Click here for MORE 2004 RECOVERIES