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A CC-130H Hercules similar to this one is participating in the exercise. RCAF Photo
Personnel from Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) squadrons are participating in Arctic Chinook, a significant search and rescue (SAR) exercise taking place in the vicinity of Nome, Alaska, from Aug. 22 to 25, 2016.
The exercise is led by the U.S. Coast Guard and Alaska Command and the exercise is open to Arctic Council nations. Participants are exercising various elements of the Agreement on Cooperation on Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue in the Arctic including interoperability, cooperation, and information sharing of SAR services as they respond to a mass rescue operation scenario in the Arctic.
RCAF participation in the exercise includes:
- One CC-130H Hercules aircraft from 413 Transport and Rescue Squadron, based at 14 Wing Greenwood, N.S.;
- One CH-149 Cormorant helicopter from 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron, based at 19 Wing Comox, B.C.; and
- Search and rescue technicians (SAR Techs) from 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron based at 17 Wing Winnipeg, Man., as well as additional support personnel.
“As activity in the Arctic increases, the Royal Canadian Air Force is working with our partners to enhance our vigilance, our capabilities, and the skill sets of our airwomen and airmen to protect and save lives,” said BGen David Lowthian, acting commander, 1 Canadian Air Division.
“Exercises such as Arctic Chinook are instrumental to maintaining our capabilities for search and rescue response in the North in collaboration with our arctic neighbours.”
