NJ Civil Air Patrol Finds, Silences Distress Beacon in Cape May
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. (April 4, 2026) -- Civil Air Patrol’s (CAP) New Jersey Wing recently located and silenced an activated personal locator beacon in Cape May County following an urgent request from the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC).
The recent mission began when the AFRCC alerted Civil Air Patrol to a beacon signal in southern New Jersey. New Jersey Wing Commander Col. Amy Myzie initially assumed command, quickly assembling two urban direction-finding (UDF) teams to begin the search.
“Our members demonstrated exactly what Civil Air Patrol is trained to do -- respond quickly, work together and get results,” Myzie said. “Their efforts ensured this signal was resolved efficiently and safely.”
Lt. Col. Robert Jennings, CAP, assumed incident command and coordinated the continued response. Teams from Atlantic County and Group 225 worked together to triangulate the signal, while a second New Jersey Wing team traced it to Ocean View, east of Woodbine Municipal Airport.
The beacon was determined to be an accidental activation — a common occurrence with personal locator beacons — and was silenced, concluding the mission.
“This was a textbook example of effective coordination between multiple teams under time pressure,” Jennings said. “Both units executed their roles flawlessly to locate and secure the beacon.”
Participating members included Lt. Col. Dana Ruggieri; Maj. Britton Williams; Capt. Christopher Johnson; Capt. Charles Rehkopf; 1st Lt. Drew Hurst; and Cadet/1st Lt. Samantha Contino.
Civil Air Patrol conducts about 90% of inland search and rescue missions as directed by the AFRCC, the federal agency responsible for coordinating on-land search and rescue across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Operating around the clock, the AFRCC evaluates distress alerts and coordinates appropriate responses with federal, state, and local agencies including Civil Air Patrol. In mid-2025, AFRCC marked a significant milestone, surpassing 20,000 lives saved during its history of coordinating search and rescue operations.
About Civil Air Patrol
Civil Air Patrol is the longtime auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and as such is a valued member of its Total Force. In its auxiliary role, CAP operates a fleet of 560 single-engine aircraft and 1,944 small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS). It performs about 90% of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 82 lives annually. CAP’s 60,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. Operating as a nonprofit organization, CAP also plays a leading role in STEM/aerospace education, and its members serve as mentors to about 25,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs. Visit CAP.news or GoCivilAirPatrol.com for more information. Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
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For More Information:
Lt. Col. Bill Petzinger, CAP
1+ 609-306-0966
Email: public.affairs@njwg.cap.gov
