Members of 103 Search and Rescue Squadron from 9 Wing Gander, Newfoundland, are returning home after training with the Icelandic Coast Guard and local Search and Rescue teams from February 9-12, 2016.

Nine Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) personnel along with a CH-149 Cormorant helicopter took part in multiple exercise scenarios, including training with the Icelandic Coast Guard vessel Thor (or “Þór” in Icelandic). There were also inland and glacier search and rescue joint exercises with volunteers from local Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue (ICE-SAR) teams.

Quick Facts

1)103 Squadron’s CH-149 Cormorant and nine crew members participated in open water and boat scenarios with      the crew of the Icelandic Coast Guard vessel Thor (or “Þór” in Icelandic). Specific elements of these exercises  included: hoisting from a ship, hoisting from a life raft and hoisting from the sea.

2)There were also inland and glacier rescue scenarios with a rescue team from the Icelandic Association for Search  and Rescue, known as ICE-SAR.

3)In addition, there were visits to various local Icelandic Coast Guard locations and facilities as well as a NATO air  station at Keflavík.

4)Training occurred out of the Icelandic Coast Guard’s base at Reykjavik airport with several activities taking place  across the Iceland territory.

Quotes

“The Canadian Armed Forces is equipped with a great fleet of CH-149 helicopters and a highly trained group of airmen and airwomen. The RCAF SAR force is something Canadians take pride in. Working alongside other Arctic countries active in SAR reminds us that we might wear different uniforms but we are all driven by the same motto ‘ that others may live’. This invaluable training and partnership ensures we are better integrated if we were called upon to cooperate in the future.”

Lieutenant-General Michael Hood, Commander, Royal Canadian Air Force

“This exercise has allowed the Icelandic Coast Guard and ICE-SAR to share with our Canadian partners our methods and experiences in overcoming the most challenging environment; the Arctic. We have greatly benefited from this joint exercise and have in our Canadian neighbours a strong partner in executing Arctic search and rescue. This training truly demonstrates the tenant of cooperation essential to our profession. We might be separated by thousands of kilometers but we are joined in our desire to save lives.”

Commander Senior Grade, Audunn Kristinsson, Deputy Chief of Operations, Icelandic Coast Guard

“We are proud of the men and women who serve fearlessly to make Canada a world a leader in Arctic search and rescue. The North Atlantic is a very challenging search and rescue environment which makes it crucial to deepen our relationships with partners like Iceland in this region. This collaboration augments our interoperability which strengthens our existing alliance.”

Brigadier-General David Lowthian, Deputy Commander, Force Generation, 1 Canadian Air Division

“The RCAF’s front-line line SAR professionals have gained significant familiarity with the protocols and associated capabilities of their Icelandic colleagues. In the event that Canada and Iceland are jointly called in response to a SAR mission, our shared experience may be a key factor in saving lives.”

Major Jean Leroux, Commanding Officer, 103 Search and Rescue Squadron