[MilCom] CG in wasted effort on SAR offshore Patrick AFB

[AllanStern at aol.com]

It is Fri., 2:30am EDT (0630z).
   Earlier tonight WC-130 "King 77" was working off the Patrick AFB coast 
(115 radial 40DME and 20DME).  King 77 explained to Daytona Appr/Dep and to Miami 
Ctr that they would be deploying flares.  King 77 did not request that 
Patrick Base Ops inform the US Coast Guard of this exercise. However, the 
Patrick-based C-130s usually do inform the Coast Guard when they deploy pyrotechnics. 
King 77 returned to Patrick AFB at about 10:45pm EDT.
   Soon thereafter, the Coast Guard began making announcements concerning 
parachute-flares sighted off the Patrick-Cape Canaveral coastline.  Then at about 
1:20am, the Coast Guard sent CG Vessel 47321 to the scene; and at 1:53am CG 
RESCUE 6017 (an HH-60J Helo) arrived on scene.  CG RESCUE 6017 has been 
contacting fishing vessels in the area on 156.8 and then conversing with them on 
157.1 about the parachute-flares sightings.  CG RESCUE 6017 has also been 
attempting to contact CG Group Mayport on 157.15.  
   Moments ago, CG RESCUE 6017 made contact with CG Sta Port Canaveral on 
157.05. The CG Sta advised 6017 that CG Vessel 47321 is in the area assisting in 
the search.  CG RESCUE 6017 has asked Port Canaveral to inform Group Mayport 
that they have two hours remaining on scene due to fuel limitation.
  Unless there was a coincidental event, it seems that all of this CG effort 
is in vain.  Had they Coast Guard been notified of KING 77's exercise all of 
this effort and expenditure could have been saved.  The SAR is continuing 
however.

AL STERN Satellite Beach FL (28-11N 80-36W) monitoring
 Patrick AFB (KCOF)  NASA-KSC Shuttle Landing Fac (KX68)
 Avon Park Bombing Range (KAGR)  Cape Canaveral AFS (KXMR)
 JSTARS E-8 Acft Integration Facility, Melbourne IAP (KMLB)
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