The Sequoyah County Mounted Search and Rescue Team was called to Latimer County on Monday to assist in the search for a 54-year-old missing woman, who was found safe later that day.
Granville “Mac” Moad, the team’s founder and training commander, said Wednesday that the team, which began its work in February 2016, consists of 28 volunteers who are trained in everything from tracking, land navigation, terrain association and map reading, helicopter operations, field emergency response, incident command center operation, scene preservation and horsemanship.
The team, the only mounted search team in the state, also includes 36 certified horses, Moad said. The team serves eastern Oklahoma, but can respond to any call when deep wilderness work is necessary.
Moad said the course is taught once a year and also includes rappelling work along with the other training sessions.
“We have a large team with a good team dynamic,” Moad said.
The volunteer group includes men and women who are law enforcement officers, EMTs, paramedics, firefighters, mounted shooters and more.
Moad brings a wealth of experience to the 60-hour training course with his service in the U.S. Army from 1983 to 2000. He also has a ranch between Muldrow and Roland where he keeps 13 horses – quarter horses, a Tennessee walker and some mustangs.
At the end of the course, Moad said, the search-and-rescue team participate in a mock search-and-rescue mission to find a missing person.
Laura Brown, KXMX Staff Writer
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