Search and Rescue

Canadian helicopter crash confirmed

The Department of National Defence and NATO confirmed 30 April that an RCAF Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone helicopter serving with a NATO task force in the Mediterranean had crashed the previous evening. Greek media say that it had taken off from the frigate HMCS Fredericton with up six persons and that one body had been recovered. NATO has not released crew details but DND says it has contracted all “primary family” members of those who were aboard.” [node:read-more:link]

Canada receives new search and rescue aircraft

The RCAF marked the arrival of the first aircraft of its future fixed-wing search and rescue fleet. The new fleet will be called Kingfisher. The CC-295 Kingfisher fleet will be based at four locations across Canada, in Comox, Trenton, Greenwood, and Winnipeg. The aircraft will arrive in phases as crews are trained in turn at each location. [node:read-more:link]

Orbital tech has broad application

Capella Space Corp. has released the design for a new satellite which would use synthetic aperture radar to provide imagery regardless of weather or cloud cover, unlike other platforms with optical sensors. The San Francisco-based startup’s technology is expected to provide valuable data not only to natural disaster and search and rescue responders but also the military and intelligence communities. [node:read-more:link]

SAR Teams Adapt to COVID restrictions

A look at how Search and Rescue volunteers in British Columbia face the challenges of operating while respecting the ever-evolving restrictions to keep both searchers and injured subjects safe. [node:read-more:link]

Earthquake Drills – a teacher resource

Simple activities and games designed to increase student knowledge about earthquake science and preparedness. [node:read-more:link]

BREAKING: Cdn helicopter missing off the coast of Greece

A Canadian Cyclone helicopter deployed on HMCS Fredericton has gone missing while on a NATO exercise with allies off the western coast of Greece in the Ionian Sea. DND has confirmed that a search and rescue mission is underway at this time. [node:read-more:link]

First RCAF C295 shows off final livery

Purchased by the Government of Canada for the RCAF fixed-wing search and rescue aircraft replacement program, the new aircraft showed off its final livery today. The bright yellow paint scheme provides high visibility for those in the air and on the ground. [node:read-more:link]

Conference brings together SAR community

Yesterday marked the final day of the SARScene 2016 conference program, following a week of opportunities for training, education and exercises, as well as presentations and moderated discussions from Search and Rescue (SAR) experts. [node:read-more:link]

RCAF Squadrons fly to Yellowknife for SAR Exercise

Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) squadrons from across Canada are participating in their annual National Search and Rescue Exercise, SAREX 2016, from September 18 to 24, 2016, in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. [node:read-more:link]

Team Spartan to Highlight Capabilities and Canadian Industrial Strength at DEFSEC for FWSAR Program

Team Spartan, which is offering its C-27J aircraft as part of Canada’s FWSAR competition, will be highlighting the aircraft’s capabilities and potential economic and employment impact at the 2016 DEFSEC exposition at Halifax’s Cunard Centre, between September 7th and 8th. [node:read-more:link]

Brazilian Air Force takes maiden SAR flight with C295W

First Airbus C295W for Brazilian Air Force Search and Rescue missions makes its maiden flight. This is very similar to the aircraft offered for Canada’s Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue Project.
[node:read-more:link]

Kitsilano Coast Guard Base Reopens

Today, complete with a First Nations ceremony, the Kitsilano Coast Guard Base on the BC coast was officially re-opened. [node:read-more:link]

Canadian Coast Guard SAR bases open for season

The Canadian Coast Guard would like to inform the public that its seasonal search and rescue bases in Québec City, Tadoussac, Kegaska, Rivière-au-Renard, Havre-Saint-Pierre and Cap-aux-Meules will open on or around April 1st, 2016. [node:read-more:link]

Team Spartan members form Spartan Aviation Services

Team Spartan members General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada and Finmeccanica have announced the creation of a new joint venture to provide long-term in-service support for the C-27J aircraft in Canada. [node:read-more:link]

Multi-agency maritime disaster training completed

The Gulf Islands were the site of a simulated ferry evacuation with the JTFP of the CAF coordinating search and rescue operations in a large-scale, on-water exercise. The exercise is jointly managed by the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Coast Guard with coordination through the JRCC involving both air coordination by the CAF and marine rescue coordination by the Canadian Coast Guard. [node:read-more:link]

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