Captain Brian Pokuta, Lake County Composite Squadron Commander, was pre-flighting a CAP aircraft at Chicago Executive (KPWK) in preparation for a mission pilot training sortie. Captain Joe Long, IL Group 22 Deputy Commander was en route to the airport when the REDCAP came in. IC Major Eric Templeton coordinated the change from a training sortie to an actual mission. Captain Jim Griggs, Palwaukee Composite Squadron Commander, notified the crew he had a scanner en route to join the crew. Captain John Hanusin showed and the crew was wheels up in minutes. Reports where coming in all day from North Central Illinois of an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) transmitting from an unkown location. The Group 22 crew departed KPWK westbound and climbed to 5,000 feet. It wasn't long before the Becker picked up the signal and an audible signal was heard on 121.5. The crew was in contact with the IC through Captain Ron Walerowicz who was at IL WIng. The crew tracked the signal to Poplar Grove Airport (C77). The crew coordinated through the IC and landed at C77 to track down the ELT. Captain Pokuta used his hand held aircraft radio and skills gained while training as a Urban Direction Finder (UDF) team member. The signal was located in a hanger on the airport, and with help from the airport staff, the aircraft was identified. The pilot had flown earlier in the day but could not be located to silence the ELT. A tin foil "tent" was constructed to block the signal until the owner could be located.
Thanks to flexibility, training and teamwork, IL Group 22 members chalked up another find for the Wing.
