Canadian Armed Forces Search and Rescue

Military search and rescue in Canada traces its history to 1942[1] when Wilfred May pioneered the concept of parachuting survival experts into airplane crash sites.

The Royal Canadian Air Force, impressed with "Wop's" rescue squad, enrolled the first three RCAF Pararescue jumpers in June 1944.

January 1945 saw the first RCAF pararescue course with graduates stationed to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia; Sea Island, British Columbia; and Edmonton, Alberta.

The formation of the Canadian Coast Guard in 1962, as well as its civilian predecessor agencies and some volunteer organizations, have held responsibility for the vast majority of maritime SAR operations in Canada since the 19th century.

After a two-week selection period, SAR Techs undergo 11 months of initial training at the Canadian Forces School of Search and Rescue, based at 19 Wing Comox in British Columbia.

Canadian Forces CC-115 Buffalo fixed wing SAR aircraft from 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron .
CH-146 Griffon in SAR markings
CH-118 Iroquois helicopter from CFB Cold Lake in the mountains of British Columbia .
CC-138 Twin Otter at Cambridge Bay Airport .
Canadian Forces CH-149 Cormorant helicopter exercising with a Canadian Coast Guard vessel.