The radar analysts of the 84th Radar Evaluation Squadron at McChord AFB, Wash., recently aided the rescue of two survivors of a glider crash. The pilot and student of a sailplane crashed in the remote southern California San Gabriel Mountains. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department used 84th RES radar data to pinpoint the aircraft’s last known location, speed, heading, and altitude. A California Civil Air Patrol aircraft spotted the glider and the downed airmen a day after they crashed.
While the Space Force is still making long-term plans to establish high-fidelity live and virtual test and training ranges in the coming years, officials say they're also working with operators to identify near-term gaps and quickly field capabilities to address them.
