SEARCH AND RESCUE

MY LIFE ON PLANET EARTH

SEARCH AND RESCUE

Search And Rescue

Balloon Troopers face many risks during their missions. In most instances, these risks take place long after release, many miles from the launch site. When these emergencies occur, the Trooper must rely on Ground Allies for assistance. Occasionally an emergency situation will arise shortly after launch. It is precisely these instances for which Balloon Trooper Search and Rescue (BaTSAR) was formed.

BaTSAR is a group of dedicated personnel whose mission is rapid response to Balloon Trooper emergencies during the first few minutes after a Balloon Trooper launch. It is our objective to maintain a SAR response team presence at all Balloon Trooper launches and to provide for the rapid recovery of Troopers who have emergencies after launch. To accomplish these goals, BaTSAR will provide ongoing SAR training to our members, and furnish the proper tools required for a safe and efficient rescue.

Although each individual BaTSAR member has a wide range of responibilities during a rescue mission, the focus is on teamwork. By working quickly and efficiently as a team, the safety of each Trooper can be ensured.

Colonel Candi Bar Rescued!

Mission # 5 began on the night of February 11, 2004 with the launching of Colonel Candi Bar at 8:45pm CST. Weather conditions were cold and cloudy with a light drizzle. Winds were gusting southwest at 5 - 10 mph. The winds combined with a mistakenly low volume of helium in her double balloon rig resulted in a dangerously slow altitude gain. Mission Control monitored the launch up until loss of visual contact at approximately 8:46pm CST. Colonel Bar's altitude was estimated at 18 feet above ground at last observation. There was concern for the mission at this point and the BaTSAR team was notified, but the concensus from BaTSAR was that a rescue operation would not be mounted due to two factors:

1. The weather conditions would place undue hazards upon the SAR team.

2. There was no direct evidence that the mission had met an untimely end.

Mission Control determined that the best course of action was to go to bed, as we all had to get up and go to work and school early the next morning.

On the morning of February 12, 2004, as Mission Control left for work, he observed Colonel Bar's balloons in a tree on a ridgeline across a pond 200 yards to the southwest. BaTSAR was notified and a rescue operation commenced. The rescue operation was difficult in that the small pond had to be crossed. BaTSAR's rubber boots were too short and took on water, but much to BaTSAR's credit, she battled her way across the pond, crossed a fenceline, and made it up the ridgeline. Using the hook pole, the balloons were snagged from the tree and Colonel Bar was found to be in good shape despite the cold and humidity.

The following photographs were taken during the rescue and serve as proof of the technical skills and dedication of BaTSAR.

1. COL. BAR MAROONED IN TREE

3. SAFELY ON THE GROUND

2. RETRIEVAL USING THE HOOK POLE

Lieutenant Arthur Blake Rescued!

Squadron 4 consisting of Major Alisia Nelson, PFC Dan Hart, Lieutenant Arthur Blake, and civilian Ivan Jo Clark was launched on a joint mission on February 14, 2004 at 5pm. Winds were 10 - 15mph blowing to the southeast. The mission ran into problems shortly after launch. The following photos document the launch and the ensuing BaTSAR rescue.

The Squadron headed southeast after launch, the prevailing wind took the group towards the powerlines quicker than expected. Lieutenant Blake and civilian Ivan Clark both hit the power lines. Clark can be seen to the left in the photo below, entangled on the primary ground wire. Ltnt Blake can be seen to the right of the power pole, wrapped around the secondary power conductors. His balloon has already popped and he is hanging from the wire. Major Nelson's balloon can be seen in the upper right, having steered clear of the lines.

After a 10 second struggle in the powerlines, Clark was able to free himself from the wire and he continued on his misson. We commend Clark for his bravery and effort. Ltnt Blake remained entangled in the secondary wires for another 20 seconds, then somehow managed to free himself. As he dropped to the ground, his deflated balloon acted somewhat as a parachute and he drifted 30 yards southeast before landing on the aphalt road. The wind continued to drag him along the asphalt.

Balloon Trooper Search and Rescue reacted quickly and pursued Blake on his tumble across the asphalt. After a short chase, the rescue team caught up with him approximately 50 yards from the launch site. BaTSAR transported Blake back to the Mission Control Center where he received a thorough examination of his condition. Blake was somewhat shaken but required no medical treatment.

Mission Control has grounded Blake for 5 days for observation before he will be scheduled for another mission. Flight Operations has logged the data for use on future launches, in hopes of preventing further near-disasters.

Congrats on a job well done!