Missouri Militia
  • Home
  • Basic Info
    • About Us
    • Policies, Principles & Ethics
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Find A Unit Near You
    • State Unit Websites
  • Training & Events
  • Volunteer & Unit Info
    • Missouri Militia Orientation
    • Training Materials
    • Gear and Equipment
    • Class-B Uniform
    • Fireteam Operations
    • How To Join
    • Emergency Preparedness
    • Field Reports
  • The Fallen
  • Donations
  • News & Media
  • Blog
  • Login
Volunteer & Unit Information
  • MO Militia Orientation
  • Training Materials
  • Gear and Equipment
  • Class-B Uniform
  • Fireteam Operations
  • How To Join
  • Emergency Preparedness
  • Field Reports
We Will Never Forget
Join The Militia
Click To Donate
‹›

Join Us

Interested? Learn more about the organization, come to a training session, become a member.

Learn More
19 Aug 17

After Action Report – 1st Bn / 3rd Bde – Search & Rescue 5 August 2017

Share

After Action Report – 05 Aug 17

Missouri Militia 1st Battalion/ 3rd Brigade

Missouri Militia Request for Assistance #9 -
Missing person in the Bunker MO area

From: SFC Tade

Subject: After Action Report

Deployed Location: Bunker, MO Shannon County

CO: Colonel R. Sumpter

Duration: 05 Aug 17 0530-2300

Purpose: Assist local Law Enforcement and Civilians in the search for a missing person.
On 2 Aug 17 a request for assistance was received from the Shannon County Sheriff’s office.

Mr. Leon Richardson, a 76 year old adult male, was reported missing from his home in the Bunker, MO area. He had been missing since approximately 1830 hrs on 31 Jul 17.

Summary:
On Saturday 5 Aug 17 a detachment from the 1st/3rd deployed from the Kansas City area to the AO in Eastern Missouri.

The detachment included:

Colonel R. Sumpter, Commanding
SFC G. Tade
PFC B. Schaffert
Trooper J. Dale
Trooper T. Peterson

An RP was established North of MSR I-70 at Little Blue Parkway in Independence, MO. The detachment arrived at the RP at 0530 on 5Aug17. After a briefing and equipment check, the detachment mounted up and convoyed to the AO. After one stop for re-supply in Columbia MO, the detachment arrived at Bunker, MO at 1100.

A local Church, Sugar Creek Baptist Church, was the designated rendezvous/admin check-in area. The detachment dismounted, checked-in and was given a briefing by local incident command personnel. A representative from the local Civil Air Patrol escorted the detachment to the CP, which had been set-up at the farm/home of the missing person’s family. Note: The appreciation and hospitality of the local community was in full evidence by the warm welcome received by the search volunteers. There was plenty of food and refreshments provided at the Church.

Upon arrival at the CP, the detachment met with the Shannon County Sheriff and received mission tasking to search an area to the South and East of the farm. Colonel Sumpter assisted with Command and Control responsibilities at the CP. The rest of the detachment, with one member from the 4th/8th attached, formed a search team and moved out at 1130.

The team conducted an on-line search with the line being approximately 50 meters long. Due to the thick woods, progress was slow. A considerable effort was necessary to maintain visual contact with the other members of the team. After approximately 550 meters, the line swung around to the West and searched that area enroute back to the CP. The team returned to the CP at 1245.
After a quick lunch, the team was tasked with a new search area. A local resident with good knowledge of the area was attached to the team and guided them to the area. The team moved out at 1330. The new search area presented equally tough terrain. Again forming an on-line search of approximately 50 meters, the team searched down into a draw (locally known as a “Holler”). A light rain began at approximately 1400 and continued throughout the rest of the day. The team linked up with another civilian search team and continued the search. There were several reports of fresh signs that the missing person was still alive. With this encouraging news, the teams pushed on through the tough terrain and rain to search their assigned area. After an exhaustive, but ultimately unsuccessful, search, the team returned to the CP at 1630. After a short debrief, the detachment loaded up their equipment and returned to the Church. The local residents once again demonstrated their hospitality by serving dinner to the search volunteers. The detachment checked out and mounted up at 1700 for the return trip to Kansas City. The detachment arrived back at the RP at 2300.

Lesson Learned and Recommendations:

1) No maps of the AO. While the Incident Commander (IC) relied heavily on the “local knowledge” of the residents, the lack of maps of the area hampered the search teams. This was particularly a problem for the “out of town” search teams.   Recommendation: For future deployments of this nature, obtain our own maps of the AO.   Additionally, at least two members of the detachment should be equipped with a GPS device. The locations of the signs of the missing person were given as GPS coordinates. Without a GPS, or maps to plot these positions, the team was unable to react to this new information.

2) Unorganized Comms plan.   There were no designated call signs and radio discipline was initially lacking. The later improved as the day went on. While most of the search teams were able to communicate with the IC, several civilian personnel were in the search area with “marine” radios that could not communicate with the other teams. The radios currently deployed by Missouri Militia units can be utilized on marine radio frequencies. However, most people are not familiar with the marine frequencies. Recommendation: Investigate the marine radio frequencies and provide that information to the troops.  Note: Some common marine channels are Ch9- 156.450 MHz, Ch68- 156.425 MHz and Ch72- 156.625 MHz.

3) Inclement weather preparedness. The constant rain in the AO soaked everyone and everything. The combination of wet uniforms/clothing and decreasing temperature, increased the possibility of hypothermia. While there were no casualties due to hypothermia, all members of the search teams were at least uncomfortable. Recommendation: Each member of the detachment should have dry uniform/clothes, socks and foot gear to change into when necessary. Note: Some members of the detachment brought rain gear with them, but failed to carry it into the field. This is an error that won’t likely be repeated.

Post Deployment Activities:
As of 2000 07Aug17, Mr. Richardson had not be located. The Sheriff has called off the search.

End Report

Appendix 1 –U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center, Marine Radio Frequencies and their uses.
navcen.uscg.gov/VHFchannels

US (Marine) VHF CHANNELS

Channel Number Transmit Frequency Receive Frequency Use
01A 156.050 154.050 Port Operations, VTS
05A 156.250 156.250 Port Operations, VTS
06 156.300 156.300 Intership Safety
07A 156.350 156.350 Commercial. VDSMS
08 156.400 156.400 Commercial, Intership
09 156.450 156.450 Boater Calling, Commercial and Non-Commercial
10 156.500 156.500 Commercial. VDSMS
11 156.550 156.500 Commercial, VTS
12 156.600 156.600 Port Operations
13 156.650 156.650 Intership Navigation Safety, Radio Listening Watch
14 156.700 156.700 Port Operations
15 - 156.750 Environmental(RECV Only) Class C EPIRBs
16 156.800 156.800 International Distress, Safety and Calling. Ships and USCG maintain listening watch
17 156.850 156.850 State & Local Maritime Control
18A 156.900 156.900 Commercial. VDSMS
19A 156.950 156.950 Commercial. VDSMS
20 157.000 161.600 Port Operations
20A 157.000 157.000 Port Operations
21A 157.050 157.050 US Coast Guard Only
22A 157.100 157.100 CG Liaison and Maritime Safety Info Broadcasts
23A 157.150 157.150 US Coast Guard Only
24 157.200 161.800 Public Correspondence (Marine Operator)
25 157.250 161.850 Marine Operator
26 157.300 161.900 Marine Operator
27 157.350 161.950 Marine Operator
28 157.400 162.000 Marine Operator
63A 156.175 156.175 Port Operations and Commercial, VTS
65A 156.275 156.275 Port Operations
66A 156.325 156.325 Port Operations
67 156.375 156.375 Intership, Lower Miss
Channel Transmit Frequency Receive Frequency Use
68 156.425 156.425 Non-Commercial
69 156.475 156.475 Non-Commercial
70 156.525 156.525 Digital Selective Calling (Voice Comm not Allowed)
71 156.575 156.575 Non-Commercial
72 156.625 156.625 Non-Commercial, Intership only
73 156.675 156.675 Port Operations
74 156.725 156.725 Port Operations
77 156.875 156.875 Port Operations, Intership only
78A 156.925 156.925 Non-Commercial
79A 156.975 156.975 Commercial. Non-Commercial in Great Lakes Only
80 157.025 157.025 Commercial. Non-Commercial in Great Lakes Only
81A 157.075 157.075 US GOVT, Environmental Protection Operations
82A 157.125 157.125 US GOVT only
83A 157.175 157.175 US Coast Guard only
84 157.225 161.825 Public Correspondence (Marine Operator)
85 157.275 161.875 Marine Operator
86 157.325 161.925 Marine Operator
87 157.375 157.375 Marine Operator
88 157.425 157.425 Commercial. Intership only.
AIS 1 161.975 161.975 Automatic Identification System
AIS 2 162.025 162.025 Automatic Identification System

 

VTS – Vessel Traffic Service; VDSMS – VHF Digital Small Message Service
USCG – US Coast Guard; EPIRB – Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacon

About The MO Militia

We are a civilian volunteer organization that trains, educates, prepares, responds to disasters, and defends the constitution.  The intent of the Missouri Militia is to be a part of the Missouri Defense Force as needed; under the legal authorization of the Governor when called to duty. RSMo 41.490

Missouri Militia - Salutes Our Flag

Recent Info
  • Another Great Summer JTX – June 2020 16 Jun 20
  • Missouri Militia Partners with One Shepherd Leadership Institute 20 May 20
  • Lt. Jimmy Duane “Doc” Weed Passed Away 20 May 20
  • Sgt. Scott Allen Clements 20 May 20
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
  • How To Join
  • Contact Us
  • Missouri Militia State Unit Websites
  • Find A Missouri Militia Unit Near You
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • When’s Training?
RECEIVE EMAIL UPDATES
Periodically the Missouri Militia will send emails out regarding special interests in Missouri, recent updates with local units, and state emergency alerts. Stay informed.
** Your information is protected.

MO Militia Facebook

MO Milita Pinterest

© Missouri Militia, 2021 | All rights reserved.