EDITOR'S NOTE: The Civil Air Patrol announced Friday afternoon that this exercise has been postponed because of poor weather conditions. The new date for the drill is Saturday, January 16.
North Hall residents might see some low flying planes and emergency personnel around Don Carter State Park this weekend while both groups practice a search and rescue.
Both ground and air crews will be looking for an electronic locator transmitter in a simulated plane crash, Lt. Jack Marty with the Civil Air Patrol said.
"This exercise actually simulates a mid-air collision between a commuter aircraft and a small single engine plane," said Marty. "The reason we picked Don Carter Park was because it was on pretty much the glide path for Hartsfield-Jackson Airport."
Once the locator is found, Marty said crews will begin the rescue portion of the drill.
"Residents should be aware there will be some planes circling overhead, possibly as low as 1,000 feet," said Marty. "We will also have a number of cadets who will be searching through the woods and will be in camouflage uniforms; fire trucks entering and exiting Don Carter Park. Again, this is all an exercise and not a real life situation."
About four planes will begin the exercise at Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport.
The drill will begin at 9 a.m. with another round at 11 a.m. and around 1 p.m., the operation should move to the Hall County Community Center.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/1/361072/local-ems-civil-air-patrol-conducting-search-and-rescue-drill-saturday