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AIR SAR

SAREX 2005 helps improve SAR in Canada

Photo by MCpl. Chris Bentley

Hosted by 14 Wing Greenwood, the 2005 four-day Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) allowed participants to test their skills, equipment and ideas.

Held in late September in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, 16 teams from the Canadian Forces participated in the following events: parachuting accuracy, medical, search, rescue, maintenance, bell ringer (a precision parachuting event for experienced SAR Techs 40 years old and older) and a fixed-wing marine event. These events ensure standardization in techniques and procedures related to SAR.

Because search and rescue is a cooperative effort, SAREX incorporated the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA), with whom the Canadian Forces work very closely. Nine teams from CASARA competed in the SAREX search event for the CASARA National SAR Excellence Award.

The focus of the SAREX is to develop rescue cooperation, test alerting and notification systems, and cross-train in rescue procedures and techniques in case of a large-scale SAR operation. It is hosted by a different squadron each year and was held in Comox, B.C. last year.

Colonel Perry Matte, Commander 14 Wing Greenwood and Officer Commanding SAREX 2005, said, "This is a very important opportunity for the SAR community to train together, exchange best practices and experiences as well as discuss ways to improve search and rescue, which all translates into enhanced support to Canadians."

But SAREX is more than a friendly competition among both CASARA teams and Canadian Forces teams, it is a chance for the Officers in Charge of the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centres, the SAR Squadron Commanders and others to come together face-to-face and discuss any SAR-related issues.

For more information about SAREX 2005, visit www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/14wing/news/releases_e.asp

Arctic SAREX increases interoperability among three countries
Approximately 230 people from Canada, the United States and Russia tested their search and rescue skills in Arctic SAREX this past September.

Hosted by the United States, the 11th annual tri-national search and rescue exercise allowed the three Arctic nations to share expertise on SAR procedures and capabilities and improve interoperability in case a combined effort is necessary.

"Arctic SAREX is an example of increased interoperability between the three countries responsible for conducting SAR operations in the Arctic," said Major-General Charlie Bouchard, Commander of 1 Canadian Air Division/Canadian NORAD Region.

"Continually comparing and improving our skills enhances our ability to operate together on humanitarian missions such as search and rescue," he explained.

Next year's Arctic SAREX will be hosted by Canada in Comox, British Columbia.

The Canadian contingent included:

• 442 Squadron, Comox, British Columbia
• 424 Squadron, Trenton, Ontario
• 413 Squadron, Greenwood, Nova Scotia
• 435 Squadron, Winnipeg, Manitoba, and
• 1 Canadian Air Division Headquarters.

http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/news/2005/09/26_e.asp

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