Missouri Wing Members Hone Search and Rescue Skills
115 members of Missouri Wing from across the state recently participated in a “distributed” search-and-rescue exercise (SAREX) using a central mission base (at Sedalia) and squadrons – from St. Louis to Springfield and Kansas City to Cape Girardeau – responding to training scenarios in their own communities. A total of 8 air flights and 11 ground exercises were completed during the training event. Small unmanned aerial systems (drones) were also utilized.
Training scenarios included: missing aircraft and people, local airport ramp checks, evaluation of critical infrastructure such as bridges and highways, dam and flooding evaluation, statewide radio communications, casualty extraction, coordination with other agencies, and use of the National Incident Command System.
Formal search and rescue training exercises are held on a regular basis throughout the state several times each year. Additionally, the Missouri Wing is evaluated every other year by the U.S. Air Force to ensure that its members can perform as required for the missions they are entrusted with by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center.
Acting as a Total Force partner and official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, Civil Air Patrol helps First Air Force rapidly respond to nonmilitary threats domestically in a Defense Support of Civil Authorities capacity to save lives, relieve suffering, prevent property damage, and provide humanitarian assistance.
