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[[Image:DehavillandCC-115Buffalo12.JPG|right|thumb|[[Canadian Forces]] [[CC-115 Buffalo]] fixed wing SAR aircraft from [[No. 442 Squadron RCAF|442 Transport and Rescue Squadron]].]]
[[Image:DehavillandCC-115Buffalo12.JPG|right|thumb|[[Canadian Forces]] [[CC-115 Buffalo]] fixed wing SAR aircraft from [[No. 442 Squadron RCAF|442 Transport and Rescue Squadron]].]]
[[File:CH-146 Griffon.jpg|thumb|right|[[CH-146 Griffon]] in SAR markings]]
[[File:CH-146 Griffon.jpg|thumb|right|[[CH-146 Griffon]] in SAR markings]]
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'''Canadian Armed Forces Search and Rescue''' ('''CAFSAR'''; {{Langx|fr|Recherche et sauvetage des Forces armées canadiennes}}) is the collective name used to refer to [[search and rescue]] (SAR) resources and operations within the [[Canadian Armed Forces]] (CAF). The [[Royal Canadian Navy]] (RCN) and [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] (RCAF) are jointly responsible for Canada’s SAR operations.
[[File:HMCS Saskatoon.jpg|right|thumb|[[HMCS Saskatoon|HMCS ''Saskatoon'']] and [[CH-149 Cormorant]] SAR helicopter]]
⚫
'''Canadian Forces Search and Rescue''' (CFSAR) (''Recherche et sauvetage des Forces canadiennes'' in French) is the collective name used to refer to [[search and rescue]] (SAR) resources and operations within the [[Canadian Forces]]. CFSAR is currently the responsibility of the [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] (RCAF).


==History==
==History==
Military search and rescue in Canada traces its history to 1942<ref name="Wilfrid May" group=RCAF>{{cite web|last=May|first=Denny|title=Wop's WWII Para-Rescue Service|url=http://www.wopmay.com/adventures/rcafRescue.htm|publisher=Edmonton Public Library|accessdate=April 11 2014}}</ref> whenWilfred May pioneered the concept of parachuting survival experts into airplane crash sites. The RCAF, impressed with "Wop's" rescue Squad, enrolled the first three RCAF Pararescue jumpers in June, 1944. January of 1945 saw the first RCAF pararescue course with graduates stationed to Dartmouth NS, Sea Island, BC, and Edmonton, AB. The [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] and the Fleet Air Arm of the [[Royal Canadian Navy]] began to task aircraft resources for SAR operations and occasionally perform joint operations . [[Unification of the Canadian Forces|Unification]] of the RCAF and RCN with the [[Canadian Army]] in 1968 formed the [[Canadian Forces]] (CF), at which time SAR operations were divided between [[Canadian Forces Maritime Command|Maritime Command]] and [[Canadian Forces Force Mobile Command|Force Mobile Command]]. It was only after the Canadian Forces Air Command (now RCAF) was created in 1975 that SAR responsibility was transferred to a single environmental command in the CF.
Military search and rescue in Canada traces its history to 1942<ref name="Wilfrid May">{{cite web|last=May|first=Denny|title=Wop's WWII Para-Rescue Service|url=http://www.wopmay.com/adventures/rcafRescue.htm|publisher=Edmonton Public Library|accessdate=April 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081119235236/http://www.wopmay.com/adventures/rcafRescue.htm|archive-date=2008-11-19|url-status=dead}}</ref> when [[Wilfred May]] pioneered the concept of parachuting survival experts into airplane crash sites. The Royal Canadian Air Force, impressed with "Wop's" rescue squad, enrolled the first three RCAF Pararescue jumpers in June 1944. January 1945 saw the first RCAF pararescue course with graduates stationed to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia; Sea Island, British Columbia; and Edmonton, Alberta. The RCAF and the Fleet Air Arm of the [[Royal Canadian Navy]] (RCN) began to task aircraft resources for SAR operations and occasionally perform joint operations. [[Unification of the Canadian Forces|Unification]] of the RCAF and RCN with the [[Canadian Army]] in 1968 formed the Canadian Armed Forces, at which time SAR operations were divided between [[Canadian Forces Maritime Command|Maritime Command]] and [[Canadian Forces Force Mobile Command|Force Mobile Command]].


The formation of the [[Canadian Coast Guard]] in 1962, as well as its civilian predecessor agencies and some volunteer organizations, have held responsibility for the vast majority of maritime SAR operations in Canada since the 19th century. Pacific and Atlantic maritime SAR is directed from Joint Rescue Coordination Centres (JRCC) located at Maritime Pacific and Atlantic Naval Headquarters in Esquimalt, BC and Halifax, NS. The centres are manned by Royal Canadian Air Force and Canadian Coast Guard personnel. A third JRCC is located at Trenton, Ontario and is responsible for the Great Lakes and the North.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}}
Contrary to popular belief{{by who|date=August 2013}}, the [[Royal Canadian Navy]] is not identified as a primary SAR resource under the [[National Search and Rescue Program]], nor does the RCN have a history of operating in this role. The formation of the [[Canadian Coast Guard]] in 1962, as well as its civilian predecessor agencies and some volunteer organizations, have held responsibility for the vast majority of maritime SAR operations in Canada since the 19th century.


In 2014, the RCAF revamped its FWSAR replacement project to have the competitors suggest the best locations to base the aircraft out of.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140412/DEFREG02/304120018 |title=Canada Overhauls Requirements For SAR Aircraft Replacement |last1=PUGLIESE |first1=DAVID |date=12 April 2014 |website=www.defensenews.com |publisher=Gannett Government Media |accessdate=12 April 2014}}</ref>
In 2014, the RCAF revamped its FWSAR replacement project to have the competitors suggest the best locations to base the aircraft out of.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140412/DEFREG02/304120018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140412193946/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140412/DEFREG02/304120018 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 12, 2014 |title=Canada Overhauls Requirements For SAR Aircraft Replacement |last1=PUGLIESE |first1=DAVID |date=12 April 2014 |website=www.defensenews.com |publisher=Gannett Government Media |accessdate=12 April 2014}}</ref>


==Operations==
==Operations==
Search and rescue operations cover the entirety of Canada's SAR Region (SRR) which measures {{convert|15540000|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}. Resources are operationally administered in three SAR regions by each respective Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC):
Search and rescue operations cover the entirety of Canada's SAR Region (SRR) which measures {{convert|15540000|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}. Resources are operationally administered in three SAR regions by each respective Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC):{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}}
* Halifax SRR (administered by [[JRCC Halifax]])
* Halifax SRR (administered by [[JRCC Halifax]])
* Trenton SRR (administered by [[JRCC Trenton]])
* Trenton SRR (administered by [[JRCC Trenton]])
* Victoria SRR (administered by [[JRCC Victoria]])
* Victoria SRR (administered by [[JRCC Victoria]])


==Resources==
==Resources==
[[File:CH-118103Huey02.JPG|thumb|right|[[Bell UH-1 Iroquois variants#UH-1H|CH-118 Iroquois]] helicopter from [[CFB Cold Lake]] in the mountains of [[British Columbia]].]]
⚫
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.
[[File:Canadian Armed Forces - DHC6 - Twin Otter.jpg|thumb|right|[[de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter|CC-138 Twin Otter]] at [[Cambridge Bay Airport]].]]
⚫
[[File:Canada Search and Rescue.jpg|thumb|right|[[Canadian Forces]] [[CH-149 Cormorant]] helicopter exercising with a [[Canadian Coast Guard]] vessel.]]
⚫
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.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}}


;Search and Rescue technicians (SAR Techs)
;Search and Rescue technicians (SAR Techs)
Search and Rescue technicians are [[advanced life support|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 zone]]s/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]].
Search and Rescue technicians are [[advanced life support|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 zone]]s/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]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}}


;Squadrons
;Squadrons
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;Equipment
;Equipment
⚫
[[File:Canada Search and Rescue.jpg|thumb|right|[[Canadian Forces]] [[CH-149 Cormorant]] helicopter exercising with a [[Canadian Coast Guard]] vessel.]]
* [[CH-149 Cormorant]], land-based SAR helicopter
* [[CH-149 Cormorant]], land-based SAR helicopter
* [[CH-146 Griffon]], land-based SAR helicopter
* [[CH-146 Griffon]], land-based SAR helicopter
* [[CC-130 Hercules]], transport and rescue (long-range)
* [[CC-130 Hercules]], transport and rescue (long-range)
* [[de Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo|CC-115 Buffalo]], transport and rescue
* [[de Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo|CC-115 Buffalo]], transport and rescue (retired)
* [[EADS CASA C-295|CC-295 Kingfisher]], rescue (delivery underway; initial operational capability expected 2022<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/procurement/fixed-wing-search-and-rescue-procurement-project.html |access-date=2021-02-20 |website=canada.ca |author=<!--Not stated--> |publisher=Government of Canada

|title=Fixed-wing search and rescue procurement project }}</ref>)
Additional resources available for SAR include:
Additional resources available for SAR include:
* [[de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter|CC-138 Twin Otter]], primarily transport aircraft. The Twin Otters often participate in Arctic SAR missions because they are the only RCAF aircraft permanently based in Northern Canada.
* [[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]]).
* [[CP-140 Aurora]], anti-submarine/marine reconnaissance fixed wing (sometimes used to assist search and rescue in marine operations).


Retired aircraft (1968-present):
;Retired aircraft (1968–present):
* [[CH-113 Labrador]], helicopter (replaced by [[CH-149 Cormorant]])
* [[CH-113 Labrador]], helicopter (replaced by [[CH-149 Cormorant]])
* [[UH-1N Twin Huey|CH-135 Twin Huey]], land based SAR helicopter (replaced by [[CH-146 Griffon]]
* [[Bell UH-1 Iroquois variants#UH-1H|CH-118 Iroquois]], land based SAR helicopter (replaced by [[CH-146 Griffon]])
* [[Piasecki H-21|Vertol Model H-21B]] or [[Piasecki H-21|Vertol Model 44A]] ([[Royal Canadian Air Force]])
* [[Piasecki H-21|Vertol Model H-21B]] or [[Piasecki H-21|Vertol Model 44A]] ([[Royal Canadian Air Force]])
* [[HU-16 Albatross|Grumman SA-16 Albatross]] (Royal Canadian Air Force)
* [[HU-16 Albatross|Grumman SA-16 Albatross]] (Royal Canadian Air Force)
Line 49: Line 51:
* [[C-47 Skytrain|C-47 Dakota]] (Royal Canadian Air Force)
* [[C-47 Skytrain|C-47 Dakota]] (Royal Canadian Air Force)
* [[Sikorsky S-55]] ([[Royal Canadian Navy]])
* [[Sikorsky S-55]] ([[Royal Canadian Navy]])
* [[CH-124 Sea King]], anti-submarine/multimission helicopter


==See also==
==See also==
* [[National Search and Rescue Program]]
* [[National Search and Rescue Program]]


== References ==
==References==
{{reflist}}
<references />


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/v2/page-eng.asp?id=17#s2 What We Do]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101205090726/http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/v2/page-eng.asp?id=17#s2 What We Do]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Search And Rescue}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Search And Rescue}}
[[Category:1968 establishments in Canada]]
[[Category:1968 establishments in Canada]]
[[Category:Canadian Forces]]
[[Category:Canadian Armed Forces]]

Latest revision as of 10:40, 21 October 2024

Canadian Forces CC-115 Buffalo fixed wing SAR aircraft from 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron.
CH-146 Griffon in SAR markings

Canadian Armed Forces Search and Rescue (CAFSAR; French: Recherche et sauvetage des Forces armées canadiennes) is the collective name used to refer to search and rescue (SAR) resources and operations within the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) are jointly responsible for Canada’s SAR operations.

History

[edit]

Military search and rescue in Canada traces its history to 1942[1] when Wilfred May pioneered the concept of parachuting survival experts into airplane crash sites. The Royal Canadian Air Force, impressed with "Wop's" rescue squad, enrolled the first three RCAF Pararescue jumpers in June 1944. January 1945 saw the first RCAF pararescue course with graduates stationed to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia; Sea Island, British Columbia; and Edmonton, Alberta. The RCAF and the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) began to task aircraft resources for SAR operations and occasionally perform joint operations. Unification of the RCAF and RCN with the Canadian Army in 1968 formed the Canadian Armed Forces, at which time SAR operations were divided between Maritime Command and Force Mobile Command.

The formation of the Canadian Coast Guard in 1962, as well as its civilian predecessor agencies and some volunteer organizations, have held responsibility for the vast majority of maritime SAR operations in Canada since the 19th century. Pacific and Atlantic maritime SAR is directed from Joint Rescue Coordination Centres (JRCC) located at Maritime Pacific and Atlantic Naval Headquarters in Esquimalt, BC and Halifax, NS. The centres are manned by Royal Canadian Air Force and Canadian Coast Guard personnel. A third JRCC is located at Trenton, Ontario and is responsible for the Great Lakes and the North.[citation needed]

In 2014, the RCAF revamped its FWSAR replacement project to have the competitors suggest the best locations to base the aircraft out of.[2]

Operations

[edit]

Search and rescue operations cover the entirety of Canada's SAR Region (SRR) which measures 15,540,000 km2 (6,000,000 sq mi). Resources are operationally administered in three SAR regions by each respective Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC):[citation needed]

Resources

[edit]
CH-118 Iroquois helicopter from CFB Cold Lake in the mountains of British Columbia.
CC-138 Twin Otter at Cambridge Bay Airport.
Canadian Forces CH-149 Cormorant helicopter exercising with a Canadian Coast Guard vessel.

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.[citation needed]

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.[citation needed]

Squadrons
Equipment

Additional resources available for SAR include:

  • CC-138 Twin Otter, primarily transport aircraft. The Twin Otters often participate in Arctic SAR missions because they are the only RCAF aircraft permanently based in Northern Canada.
  • CP-140 Aurora, anti-submarine/marine reconnaissance fixed wing (sometimes used to assist search and rescue in marine operations).
Retired aircraft (1968–present)

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ May, Denny. "Wop's WWII Para-Rescue Service". Edmonton Public Library. Archived from the original on 2008-11-19. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  2. ^ PUGLIESE, DAVID (12 April 2014). "Canada Overhauls Requirements For SAR Aircraft Replacement". www.defensenews.com. Gannett Government Media. Archived from the original on April 12, 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  3. ^ "Fixed-wing search and rescue procurement project". canada.ca. Government of Canada. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
[edit]
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