Canadian Forces Search and Rescue
Encyclopedia
Canadian Forces Search and Rescue (CFSAR) is the collective name used to refer to search and rescue
resources and operations within the Canadian Forces
. CFSAR is currently the responsibility of Air Command
(AIRCOM). "CFSAR" does not refer to a single unit or entity within the Canadian Forces.
and the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Canadian Navy
began to share SAR resources and occasionally perform joint operations. Unification
of the RCAF and RCN with the Canadian Army in 1968 formed the Canadian Forces
, at which time SAR operations were divided between Maritime Command
and Force Mobile Command. It was only after AIRCOM was created in 1975 that SAR responsibility was transferred to a single environmental command in the CF. However, since the formation of the Canadian Coast Guard
in 1962, all marine SAR resources in Canada are Coast Guard responsibility.
CFSAR resources are operationally administered in three SAR regions by each respective Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC):
CFSAR Squadrons
Equipment
Primary equipment used by CFSAR:
Additional resources available for SAR include:
Retired aircraft previously used by CFSAR (1968-present):
Search and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
resources and operations within the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
. CFSAR is currently the responsibility of Air Command
Canadian Forces Air Command
The Royal Canadian Air Force , formerly Canadian Forces Air Command, is one of three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
(AIRCOM). "CFSAR" does not refer to a single unit or entity within the Canadian Forces.
History
CFSAR traces its history to 1949 when both the then-independent Royal Canadian Air ForceRoyal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
and the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Canadian Navy
Royal Canadian Navy
The history of the Royal Canadian Navy goes back to 1910, when the naval force was created as the Naval Service of Canada and renamed a year later by King George V. The Royal Canadian Navy is one of the three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
began to share SAR resources and occasionally perform joint operations. Unification
Unification of the Canadian Forces
Unification of the Canadian Forces took place in 1968 when the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Air Force were merged to form the Canadian Armed Forces....
of the RCAF and RCN with the Canadian Army in 1968 formed the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
, at which time SAR operations were divided between Maritime Command
Canadian Forces Maritime Command
The Royal Canadian Navy , is the naval force of Canada. The RCN is one of three environmental commands within the unified Canadian Forces. Operating 33 warships and several auxiliary vessels, the Royal Canadian Navy consists of 8,500 Regular Force and 5,100 Primary Reserve sailors, supported by...
and Force Mobile Command. It was only after AIRCOM was created in 1975 that SAR responsibility was transferred to a single environmental command in the CF. However, since the formation of the Canadian Coast Guard
Canadian Coast Guard
The Canadian Coast Guard is the coast guard of Canada. It is a federal agency responsible for providing maritime search and rescue , aids to navigation, marine pollution response, marine radio, and icebreaking...
in 1962, all marine SAR resources in Canada are Coast Guard responsibility.
Operations
CFSAR operations cover the entirety of Canada's SAR Region (SRR) which measures 15540000 sqkm.CFSAR resources are operationally administered in three SAR regions by each respective Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC):
- Halifax SRR (administered by JRCC Halifax)
- Trenton SRR (administered by JRCC Trenton)
- Victoria SRR (administered by JRCC Victoria)
Resources
CFSAR 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). CFSAR operations occasionally provide assistance to civilian agencies which lack the resources and equipment to conduct a large scale SAR operation. All CFSAR resources are tasked by a JRCC.CFSAR Squadrons
- 103 Search and Rescue Squadron - 9 Wing Gander
- 413 Transport and Rescue Squadron - 14 Wing Greenwood
- 424 (Tiger) Transport and Rescue Squadron - 8 Wing Trenton
- 435 “Chinthe” Transport and Rescue Squadron - 17 Wing Winnipeg
- 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron - 19 Wing Comox
Equipment
Primary equipment used by CFSAR:
- CH-149 CormorantCH-149 CormorantThe AgustaWestland CH-149 Cormorant is the Canadian Forces designation for the AgustaWestland AW101 , a helicopter used for air-sea rescue in Canada...
, primary SAR helicopter (land and marine operations) - CH-146 GriffonCH-146 GriffonThe Bell CH-146 Griffon is the Canadian military variant of the Bell 412EP, a multi-use utility helicopter. The CH-146 is used in a wide variety of roles, including aerial firepower, reconnaissance, search and rescue and aero-mobility tasks....
, secondary SAR helicopter (land and marine operations) - CC-130 Hercules, transport
- CC-115 BuffaloDe Havilland Canada DHC-5 BuffaloThe de Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo is a short takeoff and landing utility transport, a turboprop aircraft developed from the earlier piston-powered DHC-4 Caribou...
, transport
Additional resources available for SAR include:
- CP-140 AuroraCP-140 AuroraThe Lockheed CP-140 Aurora is a maritime patrol aircraft operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force. The aircraft is based on the Lockheed P-3 Orion airframe, but mounts the electronics suite of the S-3 Viking...
, anti-submarine/marine reconnaissance fixed wing (sometimes used to assist CFSAR in marine operations) - CH-124 Sea KingCH-124 Sea KingThe Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King is a twin-engined anti-submarine warfare helicopter designed for shipboard use. The Canadian variant is based on the US Navy's SH-3 and has been continuously in service with the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Forces since 1963.-Design and development:The advent of...
, anti-submarine helicopter (sometimes used to assist CFSAR in marine operations) (to be replaced by CH-148 Cyclone).
Retired aircraft previously used by CFSAR (1968-present):
- CH-113 LabradorCH-113 Labrador|-See also:-External links:* * * *...
, helicopter (replaced by CH-149 CormorantCH-149 CormorantThe AgustaWestland CH-149 Cormorant is the Canadian Forces designation for the AgustaWestland AW101 , a helicopter used for air-sea rescue in Canada...
) - CH-135 Twin HueyUH-1N Twin HueyThe Bell UH-1N Twin Huey is a medium military helicopter that first flew in April, 1969. The UH-1N has a fifteen seat configuration, with one pilot and fourteen passengers. In cargo configuration the UH-1N has an internal capacity of 220 ft³ . An external load of 5,000 lb can be carried...
, land based SAR helicopter (replaced by CH-146 GriffonCH-146 GriffonThe Bell CH-146 Griffon is the Canadian military variant of the Bell 412EP, a multi-use utility helicopter. The CH-146 is used in a wide variety of roles, including aerial firepower, reconnaissance, search and rescue and aero-mobility tasks.... - Vertol Model H-21B or Vertol Model 44A (Royal Canadian Air ForceRoyal Canadian Air ForceThe history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
) - Grumman SA-16 AlbatrossHU-16 AlbatrossThe Grumman HU-16 Albatross is a large twin-radial engine amphibious flying boat that was utilized by the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard, primarily as a search and rescue and combat search and rescue aircraft...
(Royal Canadian Air Force) - Consolidated PBY CansoPBY CatalinaThe Consolidated PBY Catalina was an American flying boat of the 1930s and 1940s produced by Consolidated Aircraft. It was one of the most widely used multi-role aircraft of World War II. PBYs served with every branch of the United States Armed Forces and in the air forces and navies of many other...
(Royal Canadian Air Force) - C-47 DakotaC-47 SkytrainThe Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
(Royal Canadian Air Force) - Sikorsky S-55 (Royal Canadian NavyRoyal Canadian NavyThe history of the Royal Canadian Navy goes back to 1910, when the naval force was created as the Naval Service of Canada and renamed a year later by King George V. The Royal Canadian Navy is one of the three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
)