399th Composite Squadron launches high altitude weather balloon

DANBURY, Conn. - Oct. 28, 2016 - PRLog -- The 399th Composite Squadron, located in Danbury, Connecticut, launched a High Altitude Balloon (HAB) on October 8, 2016 to collect weather data. This project, soaring to a height of 113,616 feet follows the successful HAB launch the squadron conducted in September 2014 which attained an altitude of 91,500 feet.

The HAB launched from New Fairfield High School, in Connecticut, just after 8 a.m. with six senior members and 15 cadets present fulfilling the various roles of the launch team. The squadron worked on the weather balloon project for approximately three months with cadets and seniors divided into various work groups. In the days leading up to the launch projections were run by the launch team and a launch site identified based on projected winds and potential track.

On the morning of the launch Second Lieutenant Mike Nolan, Senior Project Leader, conducted a safety briefing on possible hazards and how to mitigate them. The squadron then headed to the launch site and upon arrival began to perform the duties for which they trained. Some cadets loaded the payload package, which included 10 Connecticut Wing patches, while others set up the drone to take video. The balloon was filled with helium to capacity and the ascent rate tested using a one gallon water jug with the exact amount of weight needed to provide the "neck lift" necessary to reach the desired ascent rate. When the HAB was finally ready, its tether lines were released and it quickly climbed over New Fairfield. As the pressure dropped and the gas expanded, the balloon grew in size and headed in a northeasterly direction.

Participants left the launch site just after 8:30 a.m. to await the GPS signal from the Spot Tracker inside the package. Although a signal was eventually obtained, there was a period of almost three hours when the HAB's location was unknown because the tracker was too high to get a signal from the satellites. Once the signal was regained the recovery team set off in the direction displayed on the GPS, discovering it landed on the property of the Pine Meadows Country Club in Lexington, Mass. After obtaining permission from the town and the country club, the team conducted a line search through the woods, following the latitude and longitude indicated, while scanning the ground and trees for the package. It was discovered in a tree about 75 feet above ground. The package was reclaimed by the team in the early evening with assistance from Marquis Tree Service.

The HAB continued northeast at a rate much faster than expected. At one point, the HAB reached speeds of about 125 miles/hr. Hurricane Matthew created wind speeds of this magnitude, and had an unexpected effect on the final destination of the package. Calculations by the launch team projected the package would land in the Enfield area of Connecticut, but due to strong winds, it came down closer to Boston, Mass. The HAB, with instrument package, attained a maximum altitude of 113, 616 feet, exceeding the 2014 launch by 22,116 feet. This is thought to be a Civil Air Patrol altitude record of an HAB launch and recovery, with Connecticut Wing patches, conducted by a squadron.

It was a very successful day that included many interesting and exciting challenges. The end result was a day that accomplished elements of Civil Air Patrol's three primary missions: Cadet Programs, Aerospace Education and Emergency Services. Cadets were instrumental in building, launching and retrieving the HAB. The weather and aerospace information obtained from the launch is currently being discussed and analyzed by the squadron, and although this wasn't an emergency mission, lessons were learned in locating the package that are applicable to search and rescue. Second Lieutenant Nolan stated, "I am really proud of these cadets for their interest, enthusiasm and determination to set a new record in Civil Air Patrol history," he continued, "these cadets are our future leaders, scientists and explorers."

Civil Air Patrol, the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force's Total Force, which consists of regular Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, along with Air Force retired military and civilian employees. Civil Air Patrol, in its Total Force role, operates a fleet of 550 aircraft and performs about 90 percent 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 78 lives annually. Civil Air Patrol's 56,000 members nationwide also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. Its members additionally play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to more than 24,000 young people currently participating in the Civil Air Patrol cadet program. Performing missions for America for the past 75 years, Civil Air Patrol received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2014 in honor of the heroic efforts of its World War II veterans. Civil Air Patrol also participates in Wreaths Across America, an initiative to remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans.

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