RCAF Squadron 435 conducts SAR training exercise

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron is conducting its week-long annual search and rescue (SAR) training exercise in Grande Prairie, northwest Alberta, which began on 25 April.

The RCAF’s 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron, based in Winnipeg, is joined by the 439 Combat Support Squadron, 417 Combat Support Squadron, 440 Transport Squadron, the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association, Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service (STARS), various local ground search and rescue teams, as well as personnel from the US Coast Guard Air Station at Sitka, Alaska.

The training, which is being carried out between 25 and 29 April, includes parachute exercises by SAR technicians, as well as practice dropping equipment from aircraft over drop zones.

Aircraft participating in the exercises include a mixed fleet of CC-130H Hercules and CC138 Twin Otter fixed-wing aircraft, and CH-146 Griffon helicopters. The aircraft will be based at the Beaverlodge and Valleyview airfields during the period of the exercise.

According to 19 Wing Comox’s Public Affairs Officer Christine MacNeil speaking to local magazine Everything Grande Prairie, Squadron 435 usually conducts the search and rescue exercise every year – however, in recent years it has been on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Locations for the annual Squadron 435 exercise typically vary, to provide training opportunities for crew to experience a range of terrain, weather and personnel.