Residents of the District of Port Hardy, and surrounding area had a front row seat this week, to a three-day long Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX), courtesy of the Royal Canadian Airforce’s (RCAF) 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron from 19 Wing Comox.
During the exercise residents were able to see a number of yellow search and rescue (SAR) aircraft, including twin propellor de Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo airplanes, and AgustaWestland CH-149 Cormorant helicopters.
The exercise featured SAR parajumpers, mock aviation accidents at the Port Hardy airport, water rescue and more.
Local emergency responders also took part in the SAREX in an effort to increase inter-operability with their RCAF colleagues. Look to the next issue of The Gazette (March 12) for a full run down on the event.