BEND, Ore. (AP) — The Civil Air Patrol in the Bend area in central Oregon has been busy lately — and its pilots wish they weren’t.
In the past two weeks, the Bend patrol chapter has responded to two aircraft rescue calls, an abnormal number of missions in such a short time.
Civil Air Patrol Lt. Mike Wissing told The Bulletin newspaper in Bend the mission is a success if they spot the downed aircraft, but more often than not, it’s just wreckage without survivors.
The Civil Air Patrol is a national nonprofit branch of the Air Force that is operated by volunteers. The Bend chapter — the High Desert Composite Squadron — has 40 members and is the only squadron with planes east of the Cascades.
