09/27/04
DR: 04-040400
YCSAG Assists Forest Patrol Deputies in Search for Overdue Hikers
Pilot Charles Lathrop and Observer Wm. Friedman assisted in the search for two overdue hikers in the Beaver Creek Area. The 2 had been reported overdue when they failed to complete their 3 day hike in the amount of time that they had expected to. The hikers emerged from the wilderness area later that day.
08/31/04
DR: 04-
Missing Prospector Sought by YCSAG
The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office called upon the Sheriff’s Air Group to assist in the search for a man who was 3 days overdue returning from a gold prospecting trip. Pilot Mike Liversidge and Observer Chuck Chinberg conducted an extensive search which lasted over 1.5 hours. He later turned up at another location and was OK.
06/18/04
DR: N/A
A single aircraft from YCSAG assisted the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office on a special patrol mission.
08/18/04
DR: 04-034577
YCSAG Assists in Search for Overdue Camper
A single aircraft from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Air Groups assisted YCSO Forest Patrol Deputies in search for an overdue camper. Pilot Charles Gates and Observer Craig Smith flew for almost one and a half hours over the Crown King area searching for the woman who was supposed to be camping in the area. Neither the ground units nor the air crew were able to locate the woman and her vehicle. By evening the woman contacted her family at which time she stated that she fine and that she went camping in Sedona instead.
06/18/04
DR: 04-25257
A single aircraft from YCSAG assisted the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office on a special patrol mission.
06/15/04
DR: 04-24599
Overdue Hiker is Sought by YCSAG
The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance in locating a male hiker overdue from a hike from Calloway Butte to the trail head at Bull Pen along the West Clear Creek Wilderness area trail. A single YCSAG Aircraft with Pilot Bud Lathrop and Observer Scott Sibson flew for more than an hour searching for the missing man. Having been unable to locate the subject, the aircrew returned to Prescott Airport.
06/12/04
Missing Man Sought by YCSAG
A single aircraft from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Air Group assisted Yavapai County Sheriff’s Deputies in the search for a missing elderly man.
06/3/04
DR: 04-22907
YCSAG Searches for Missing Detention Officer
A single aircraft from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Air Group conducted a search for an overdue Yavapai County Detention Officer. The officer was later located at another location.
05/22/04
YCSAG Aircraft Assist in Search for Vehicle & Suspects
Three aircraft from YCSAG fly for more than 9 total hours while assisting the Sheriff’s Office in the search for a vehicle and its occupants.
05/19/04
YCSAG is Called Upon to Assist in Criminal Investigation
A single aircraft from YCSAG assisted the Sheriff’s Office in photographing a crime scene.
05/18/04
DR: 04-14031
Two YCSAG Aircraft Locate Stranded Motorists East of the Minnehaha Area
The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office called upon YCSAG to assist in the search for a couple in their 50’s who had become stranded in the mountains. Two aircraft from YCSAG took off from Prescott Airport after 09:00. Air Group 5JR, piloted by Mal Barrett, Jr. and Observer Craig Smith, located the stranded couple 25 minutes into the flight. The second aircraft Air Group 428, piloted by Noel Urban and Observer Wm. Friedman, was able to return to base prior to reaching the search area. Air Group 5JR remained on station for a short period to assist ground units with locating the stranded party.
05/08/04
Two YCSAG Aircraft Participate in the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Advanced Academy
The training search mission was held in the Bumble Bee Ranch Area. The search exercise combined efforts of the YCSO’s Jeep, Quad, Mounted and Air units.
04/05/04
DR: 04-14031
YCSAG Locates Overdue Kyackers
A single aircraft from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Air Group assisted in locating two overdue Kayakers in the Verde River after a brief search. The Sheriff’s Office called upon Pilot Currie Lee and Observer Frank Benedict to search the river between the Childs Power Plant and Sheep’s Bridge. The Kayakers were spotted by YCSAG and were seen waving to the aircraft indicating that they were OK. Sheriff Deputies were waiting at the Kayaker’s vehicle for their return.
02/05/04
DR: 04-005142
YCSAG Aircraft Assist in Search for Escapee
A single aircraft from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Air Group assisted the Clarkdale Police Department in the search for a juvenile who escaped from their custody Thursday morning. The aircraft was over the area searching for approximately two hours. Authorities were unable to locate the juvenile and the search was called off around noon. The juvenile was later found at a friend’s house.
02/03/04 – 02/03/04
DR: 04-004954
YCSAG Members Brave Bad Weather in Search of Rim Rock Man
hree aircraft from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Air Group assisted the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office in the search for a missing Rim Rock man. The man is said to be on a ATV and has been missing since Saturday, (01/31/04). Pilot Malcolm Barrett, Jr. and observer Wm. Friedman began the search on Tuesday. Pilot Mike Liversidge and observer Bill Wall along with Pilot Charles Lathrop and observer Craig Smith searched on Wednesday. Members from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Jeep Posse, Mounted Posse and ATV Posse. The missing man was located late in the day at a friend’s house. He had been there all along.
GPS Track of the Search Area
01/04/04
DR: 04-000526
YCSAG Assist in Search for Stranded Motorist
A single aircraft from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Air Group assisted the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office in the search for a stranded motorist. The vehicle was reported stuck in mud in an open forest area east of Chino Valley. The stranded motorist was later found by friends in another part of the forest.
11/19/03
YCSAG Search Effort Continues for Missing Man in Sedona
Two airplanes from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Air Group joined in the search for the missing New Hampshire man. Pilot Mike Liversidge and Observer Jess Thomas in Air Group RED and Pilot Craig Smith and Observer Wm. Friedman in Air Group YELLOW conducted a 1.5 hour search of the area without locating the missing man. Strong winds and turbulence hampered search efforts. As of 11/19/03 the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office has called off the search but will begin again if there is any new information regarding the mans whereabouts.
Follow up: The body of the missing hiker was found on November 25, 2003.
11/18/03
YCSAG Called to Assist in Search for Missing Hiker in Sedona
A helicopter from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Air Group assisted in the search for a missing New Hampshire man in Sedona. The man has been missing for 12 days and is believed to be in the Sedona area. Search officials called upon YCSAG for use of a helicopter in order to explore some of the deep canyons and cliff faces in the search area. Pilot John Stonecipher and Observer Wm. Friedman conducted the search with no results.
10/20/03
Sedona Hiker Located by YCSAG Aircraft
A single airplane from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Air Group aided ground units in the search for a missing hiker in the Sedona area. The man contacted the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office and told them that he had been hiking but became lost after leaving the established trail. Due to the vastness of the area, rugged terrain and nightfall looming the Sheriff’s Office called upon YCSAG to assist in the search. A single airplane with Pilot Wm. Friedman and Observer Craig Smith located the hiker on the first pass over the area only 50 minutes after the initial call. The GPS coordinates of the lost man were relayed to ground units so that the hiker could be lead to safety.
10/08/03
YCSAG Search Leads Finds Two Stranded Motorists
Two airplanes from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Air Group conducted a search East of Wickenburg locating a disabled vehicle which lead ground units to the lost motorist. The car became stranded yesterday and the occupants were forced to stay the night in the open wilderness. A search commenced at daybreak during which Pilot Scott Sibson and Observer Currie Lee located the car. Ground units from the Yavapai County Jeep Posse were able to determine the direction that the motorist went by their footprints. A ground search quickly lead to the two subjects.
09/28/03
Search in Crown King Area Finds Lost Motorist
A single airplane from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Air Group conducted a search for a missing motorist in the area of Crown King. The man in his Chevy Suburban were located by Pilot Charles Gates and Observer Bud Lathrop. The man was transported by Yavapai County Sheriff’s Deputies. High gusting winds and turbulence added to the difficulty of this search.
09/04/03
YCSAG Locates Missing Hunter & Truck
A man who reported missing in the DeSoto Mine area near Cleator was located by a search conducted by the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office. Pilot Mal Barrett, Jr. and Observer Charles Lathrop located the man’s vehicle near a creek bed North of Cleator. The man was transported by Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office ground units. The vehicle (pictured below) was located in the same area as a vehicle from a previous YCSAG search.
08/02/03
YCSAG Finds Stolen Vehicle in Bradshaw Mountains
A single airplane from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Air Group located a stolen vehicle in the in the Bradshaw Mountains. The vehicle was located off of canyon a dirt road, down an embankment.
07/26/03
Missing Man Walks Out of Granite Mountain Recreation Area
A man who had become separated from his hiking group in the Granite Mountain area on Saturday found his way back to the trailhead after wondering around the wilderness for several hours. The group reported the missing man to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office and a ground & air search commenced. One airplane and one helicopter from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Air Group participated in the search.
07/11/03
Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Issues Press Release
Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office
G.C. “Buck” Buchanan, Sheriff
255 E. Gurley St.
Prescott, AZ 86301
(928) 771-3274
FAX (928) 771-3294
FAX TRANSMITTAL
MEDIA RELEASE
To: All News Media
From: Lieutenant James Jarrell
Date: July 11, 2003
Subject: Help From Above: the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Air Group
The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Air Group, a volunteer organization formed in 1996, recently logged over 3,000 air miles in a 1-month period, patrolling and spotting for forest fires and illegal campfires. Unbeknownst to most Yavapai County residents, unless they look up when they hear the drone of an aircraft, these dedicated volunteers have been flying regular missions, aiding in the rescue of lost, stranded, injured, or missing persons, providing air support in searching for armed robbery suspects, and assisting with forest closure enforcement and fire watch.
Volunteer members of the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Air Group provide privately owned aircraft, their skills and expertise, and their time to assist their community. The aircraft used by the YCSAG runs the entire gamut of aviation, from fixed wing to helicopter, and from propeller to jet, from vintage WWII aircraft to modern aircraft utilizing cutting edge technology. There are approximately 40 members who utilize 20 aircraft to assist the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office.
Currently, the YCSAG is flying regular daytime patrols looking for signs of fires, controlled or otherwise, as well as unauthorized persons in closed areas of the National Forests, and they are reporting the activity to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office or the U.S. Forest Service. Last year the YCSAG flew round-the-clock patrols during and after the Indian Fire. Night patrols could again be initiated, based on weather and fire conditions.
The YCSAG maintains a website at https://ycsag.org . A copy of their most recent smoke patrol report recently submitted to Sheriff Buchanan may be viewed at:
https://ycsag.org/news_report_forest_patrol_01.htm . (Note underscored spacing)
07/11/03
YCSAG Submits Smoke Patrol Report to the Sheriff’s Office
The following report was submitted to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office today listing dates, distance and operating expenses for patrol flights in the Prescott area. The flights are conducted by, (and at the expense of), YCSAG members in a proactive attempt to detect forest fires and illegal campfires.
07/09/03
Missing Hikers Found by YCSAG Helicopter
Two hikers who were reported overdue were found in Beaver Creek Canyon by YCSAG members. The wife of the one man reported him overdue to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office and asked for their assistance. An air search was initiated by the Sheriff’s Air Group at approximately 8:00am. The first search flight was by fixed wing airplane with no results. A second flight by helicopter with Pilot Kristen Gildden and observer Bill Friedman located the hikers who were on their way out of the canyon unaware of the search being performed on their behalf. Hours later the two emerged from the canyon after hiking and wading through the canyon waters most of the day.
YCSO Press Release
07/05/03
YCSAG Participates in Prescott 4th of July Parade
Ten Aircraft, 9 airplanes and 1 helicopter, flown by YCSAG members participated in a flyover at the annual 4th of July parade in Prescott. The group of aircraft made two passes over the parade route.
Pre-Flight Briefing Check Your 6 Taxing Out
06/29/03
69 Year Old Man Found Alive in Desert Near Kirkland
A man who called the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office after becoming stranded in the desert South of Kirkland was found by YCSAG Pilot Currie Lee and his observer Wm. Friedman after an 50 minute search. The YCSAG aircraft then remained in the area for an additional 2 hours in order to lead Yavapai County Jeep Posse units to the stranded man. The Jeep Posse made contact with the victim and was able to provide the first aid, food and water that the victim desperately needed. The victim was a 69 year old man with little or no food, water nor supplies. Outside air temp was in triple digits and very dry.
06/13/03
YCSAG Aircraft Locate Missing Woman & Children
Aircraft from YCSAG are located a woman and her children reported stranded in the desert North of Lake Pleasant. The vehicle apparently became stuck in Lake Pleasant while attempting to drive across a small cove in the lake. The vehicle was located by YCSAG air units and ground units from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office assisted the stranded party. The first aircraft piloted by Mal Barrett, Jr. and Observer Annette Coffey were responsible for the find. A second aircraft remained on stand-by at Prescott Airport.
05/27/03
YCSAG Aircraft Locates Family Stranded in Jeep
One airplane from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Air Group was used to locate a family stranded in a Jeep off of Bloody Basin Road. The Jeep and its occupants were forced to stay in the wilderness overnight after becoming lost or disabled. YCSAG members located the Jeep and lead ground units to the vehicle.
05/23/03
YCSAG Aids in Search for Armed Robbery Suspect
One airplane and one helicopter from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Air Group aided in efforts to locate a man in the Kirkland Junction area. The man allegedly stole a vehicle and then robbed a couple in the area of Thumb Butte then lead Sheriff’s Deputies on a chase. The man fled on foot after crashing the vehicle.
04/13/03
YCSAG Finds Missing Truck; Leads to Missing Man
A man who was reported missing is the subject of search by the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office. Ground units from the Sheriff’s Office along with volunteer ground units have been searching for the man and his vehicle for several days. The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Air Group was able to locate the missing man’s truck today on a mountain top in the Bradshaw Mountains after a 40 minute search. The man’s truck was in an area outside of the initial search area and was spotted by Pilot Annette Coffey and her Observer Bill Wall. A later flight was unsuccessful at locating the missing man under dense forest cover and mountainous terrain however the Sheriff’s Office was able to find the man later.
03/18/03
YCSAG Search Plane Locates Lost Driver Near Cleator
A man and his truck who became stranded in a wash near Cleator Arizona were located by Yavapai County Sheriff’s Air Group aircraft. The man was able to make one cellular phone call to the Sheriff’s Office late in the day Monday, 03/17 He reported that he and his truck were stuck in a wash somewhere north of Cleator. The Sheriff’s Office began a search using ground units but were hampered by extreme road conditions due to recent rain and snow. The Sheriff’s Air Group was called upon to begin an aerial search of the area at first light the following morning. The mountainous area was initially covered by low clouds and high winds which impeded search efforts. Within an hour the cloud layer moved out and the second search aircraft piloted by Ed Seaver was able to locate the stranded driver. Observer, (and Pilot), Virginia Seaver spotted the man after following a small winding trail trough a small canyon. The YCSAG aircraft made several flights over the man who waved and appeared to be in good condition. GPS coordinates of the stranded man were relayed to ground units who rescued the man.
03/18/03
Photo of cloud cover over Cleator Arizona at time of initial search. Winds were blowing south at 25 knots.
03/13/03
YCSAG Searches for man reported missing in Cordes Area
Two air planes from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Air Group conducted an aerial search of the area Southeast of Cordes Lakes after being reported missing in the area.
07/25/02
YCSAG Members Fly Over 4000 Miles Patrolling The Yavapai Forest
With the fire danger subsiding in Yavapai County thanks to the recent monsoon rains the Indian Fire patrol order has been closed. The Indian Fire portion of the forest remains closed to the public at this time. During the heightened fire danger the volunteer members of the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Air Group have logged over 4000 flight miles over the county.
07/25/02
YCSAG Assists in Search for Missing Man in Bagdad, AZ
A single plane from the Air Group was called in to assist with the search for a missing man in Bagdad. The flight lasted about 2 hours and covered a 25-mile radius of the Bagdad area. The search was called off after the man and his two dogs walked 6 miles to the town from where his truck broke down.
Press Release:
Issued by:
The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Air Group
Date:
Friday, May 24, 2002
For Immediate Release:
Due to the severe fire danger in the Yavapai Forest, Yavapai County Sheriff Buchanan has authorized the use of the volunteer organization “The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Air Group”, (YCSAG), to provide aerial patrols to assist with forest closure enforcement and fire watch.
Volunteer members of YCSAG will be providing privately owned aircraft along with their time for these patrols. Patrol flights will be conducted on an around the clock basis. YCSAG volunteers will be looking for any signs of fires, controlled or otherwise, as well as unauthorized persons in the forest and reporting activity to Yavapai Sheriff or Forestry personnel. Patrol flights began on May 1st and will continue until further notice.
For additional information regarding YCSAG or the patrol flights please contact the following persons:
William Friedman, Commander
Cellular: 928-710-1647
Home: 928-771-2518
Mike Liversidge, Operations Officer
Cellular: 928-899-1547
Home: 928-778-3180
Craig Smith, Adjutant
Cellular: 928-710-2850
Home: 928-772-3374
Deputies lose, find missing YCSO car
The Daily Courier – 11/27/2001
BAGDAD — Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputies found a stolen YCSO vehicle that someone drove off a cliff Sunday.
A resident YCSO deputy in Bagdad reported that someone stole his cruiser from the 100 block of Rincon Street sometime between 8 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday.
YCSO deputies and the Air Posse Unit began a ground and air search for the 1998 Crown Victoria. They found the car at 1 p.m. It was a few miles north of Rincon Street and about 300 feet down the side of a cliff, according to YCSO spokesperson Sharon Wachter.
“Someone drove it off the side of a cliff,” she said. “It rolled over a few times.”
Evidence technicians will search the vehicle for fingerprints, Wachter said. She also said a $300 shotgun is missing from the car. The incident remains under investigation.
YCSAG Practices Navigation
Using Search Grid in October
During a search exercise in October members flew to a predetermined location derived from a YCSAG map grid point and a magnetic heading and distance to a target. The target was the Hell’s Canyon Bridge on Highway 89 South of Ashfork.
From the target area participants continued on to Seligman Airport (P23) where we enjoyed breakfast at a small diner on Rt. 66. Afterwards the mission continued the exercise by flying South and attempting to locate a square water tank along Williamson Valley Road before returning to Prescott.
The mission covered a total distance of about 124 miles. About 20 members took part in the exercise utilizing 10 aircraft. GPS Track of flight over search target.
