Search and Rescue technicians, aircrew, maintainers, and other support personnel from 8 Wing Trenton today began an annual search and rescue exercise in Churchill, Manitoba, which will run from May 13-17.

“Our Government is seized with improving our search and rescue system,”said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence. “Search and Rescue technicians harness their skills in exercises like TigerEx so as to remain amongst the best responders in the world.”

“Once again this year, TigerEx will expose our search and rescue personnel to realistic simulated casualties, and engage them in resolving complex rescue scenarios,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Jean Bernier, Commanding Officer of 424 Squadron, which will deploy two CC-130 Hercules airplanes and a CH-146 Griffon helicopter to participate in the exercise.

“The 8 Wing Search and Rescue team is made up of highly dedicated professional aircrew and support personnel, who constantly train to provide reliable search and rescue services to Canadians,” added Colonel Sean Friday, Commander of 8 Wing Trenton.

8 Wing Trenton, along with 17 Wing Winnipeg, serves Ontario, the Prairies, the Canadian Arctic and most of Quebec; approximately 10 million square kilometers in total. Members of the Churchill community and the Canadian Rangers will also provide support to the exercise.

Minister MacKay recently announced numerous initiatives pertaining to Canada’s search and rescue system including the first-ever Quadrennial Search and Rescue Review. This quadrennial review brings together all search and rescue partners to assess our search and rescue system in a comprehensive and systematic manner. The quadrennial review ensures that Canada’s search and rescue system remains up-to-date and relevant to the changing needs of Canadians and those in distress.