If you saw large military aircraft circling around Chilliwack on Wednesday, don’t worry, it was not an emergency, it was training.
Specifically, the helicopter you might have seen was a CH-149 Cormorant and the large plane a CC-115 Buffalo from 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron out of CFB Comox, which were participating in search and rescue training in the area.
(Photos and video courtesy William Snow)
Crews simulated a downed aircraft and persons needing rescue. Both aircrews and the five search and rescue technicians were able to hone their skills and practise for future rescues.
“We sometimes need to respond to incidents involving downed aircraft, so this training was very valuable for us as it allowed us to practice for the worst case scenario,” said Captain Evan Southern, who piloted the Cormorant. “We can be tasked to anywhere in B.C. so we try to vary the areas we train in to get exposure to different types of terrain, climates, and local communities.”
The Buffalo and Cormorant work in tandem in situations like this, providing support to one another in order to accomplish the mission: saving lives.
The two teams said they were grateful for the local Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA) members for assisting in the training.
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(William Snow photo)
A CH-149 Cormorant from 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron out of CFB Comox on a training exercise in Chilliwack on June 16, 2021. (William Snow photo)
