19 WING COMOX – Twelve newly minted Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) Search and Rescue Technicians (SAR Tech) parachuted into their graduation here today at 19 Wing Comox to take receipt of their SAR Wings, marking the end of an intense 11-month occupation training.
Quick Facts
- The 12 members of SAR Tech Course #48 have a wide range of previous military service including former infantry soldiers, combat engineers, firefighter and medics.
- SAR Technician training is run by the Canadian Forces School of Search and Rescue, located at 19 Wing Comox.
- For Canadian Armed Forces members aspiring to become SAR Technicians, they must first pass a rigorous pre-selection course located in Hinton and Jarvis Lake, Alberta, before attending the Canadian Forces School of Search and Rescue. Typically, out of approximately 30 applicants, only 10 to 12 will be selected for the final course.
- Brigadier-General Michel Lalumière, Director General Space and a former 19 Wing Commander, was the reviewing officer for the parade.
- The Canadian Forces School of Search and Rescue prepares SAR Technician candidates to perform life-saving missions in rugged and remote locations, while dealing with some of the harshest weather and environmental conditions Canada has to offer.
- The Canadian Forces School of Search and Rescue trains SAR Technicians in a variety of disciplines, from serving as highly qualified first responders, to parachuting, scuba diving and mountain climbing.
- Each of the 12 SAR Tech graduates will soon be posted to one of the main RCAF Search and Rescue squadrons: 442 Transport and Rescue (T&R) Squadron, Comox; 413 T&R Sqn, Greenwood; 424 T&R Sqn Trenton; or 435 T&R Sqn, Winnipeg.
For more information on 19 Wing Comox visit: http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/19-wing/index.page?
For more information on the Canadian Forces School of Search and Rescue visit: http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/training-establishments/cf-school-search-rescue.page
(19 WING COMOX)
