Resources
Canadian Forces search and rescue resources are mostly in the form of squadrons of dedicated SAR aircraft located at bases across the country supported by 750 personnel, which includes ground crew, air crew, and 150 Search and Rescue Technicians (SAR Techs). CF SAR operations occasionally provide assistance to civilian agencies which lack the resources and equipment to conduct a large scale SAR operation.
- Search and Rescue technicians (SAR Techs)
Search and Rescue technicians are advanced trauma life support pararescue specialists trained in military freefall, diving, mountaineering, rappeling, wilderness survival in extreme conditions, hoist rescue operations and various other rescue-related tasks, such as securing landing zones/drop zones or leading mountain rescue operations in coordination with civilian agencies and volunteer organizations. After a two-week selection period, SAR Techs undergo 11 months of initial training at the Canadian Forces School of Search and Rescue, based at 19 Wing Comox in British Columbia.
- Squadrons
- 103 Search and Rescue Squadron - 9 Wing Gander
- 413 Transport and Rescue Squadron - 14 Wing Greenwood
- 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron - 8 Wing Trenton
- 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron - 17 Wing Winnipeg
- 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron - 19 Wing Comox
- Equipment
- CH-149 Cormorant, maritime SAR helicopter
- CH-146 Griffon, land-based SAR helicopter
- CC-130 Hercules, transport and rescue (long-range)
- CC-115 Buffalo, transport and rescue
Additional resources available for SAR include:
- CP-140 Aurora, anti-submarine/marine reconnaissance fixed wing (sometimes used to assist search and rescue in marine operations)
- CH-124 Sea King, anti-submarine/multimission helicopter (sometimes used to conduct search and rescue at sea) (to be replaced by CH-148 Cyclone).
Retired aircraft (1968-present):
- CH-113 Labrador, helicopter (replaced by CH-149 Cormorant)
- CH-135 Twin Huey, land based SAR helicopter (replaced by CH-146 Griffon
- Vertol Model H-21B or Vertol Model 44A (Royal Canadian Air Force)
- Grumman SA-16 Albatross (Royal Canadian Air Force)
- Consolidated PBY Canso (Royal Canadian Air Force)
- C-47 Dakota (Royal Canadian Air Force)
- Sikorsky S-55 (Royal Canadian Navy)
Read more about this topic: Canadian Forces Search And Rescue
Famous quotes containing the word resources:
“Nor is any evidence to be found, either in History or Human Nature, that nations are to be bribed out of a spirit of encroachment and aggression, by humiliations which nourish their pride, or by concessions that extend their resources and power.”
—James Madison (1751–1836)
“How could a man be satisfied with a decision between such alternatives and under such circumstances? No more than he can be satisfied with his hat, which he’s chosen from among such shapes as the resources of the age offer him, wearing it at best with a resignation which is chiefly supported by comparison.”
—George Eliot [Mary Ann (or Marian)
“The great object of Education should be commensurate with the object of life. It should be a moral one; to teach self-trust: to inspire the youthful man with an interest in himself; with a curiosity touching his own nature; to acquaint him with the resources of his mind, and to teach him that there is all his strength, and to inflame him with a piety towards the Grand Mind in which he lives. Thus would education conspire with the Divine Providence.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)