Kelowna

442 Transport and Rescue Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) will conduct a Search and Rescue (SAR) exercise from March 18-22 in Kelowna, BC.

Photo: Contributed - Wikipedia

Residents of Kelowna and surrounding areas can expect to see increased RCAF aircraft activity operating from the Kelowna airport during this period.

During the course of the exercise, members of the public may see Search and Rescue Technicians parachuting under orange canopies from Buffalo aircraft, as well as Cormorant helicopter crews conducting hoist operations.  Residents are advised that these activities are part of carefully controlled training scenarios, and unless otherwise stated, do not constitute a response to an actual emergency.

This exercise is being conducted under all applicable Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) training regulations to protect both the public and CAF members.  The squadron’s ability to respond to actual SAR missions will not be impacted by the training underway in Kelowna.

The purpose of this exercise is to maintain 442 Squadron’s ability to conduct a major SAR response for Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Victoria, as well as exercise its ability to work with partner organizations like the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA).