Cope North Search and Rescue

AGAT BAY, GUAM

03.05.2014

Video by Airman 1st Class Adam Harder 

36th Wing

Lead: Air Forces from multiple nations recently converged on Agat Bay, Guam to team up in simulated search and rescue missions off the coast. SrA Adam Harder reports how this rare training is a learning experience for the international Cope North forces involved in the air and sea.
Reporter:
Though the waters surrounding Guam are very beautiful, they can be equally dangerous. These choppy waters provide the Royal Australian, Japanese, and American Air Forces with a unique training environment in which they work with the US Coast Guard and Navy to practice life-saving search and rescue techniques, during the multi-national exercise Cope North. As the Coast Guard rushes out to aid simulated stranded individuals, C-130’s from all three countries practice locating the individuals so they can drop critical supplies. In the meantime, sailors from Navy Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 2-5 prepare themselves to descend from their helicopter, and rescue the stranded individuals so they can be returned to safety.
BMC Dixon, Bradley, Search and Rescue Boat:
The simulation today was of a downed aircraft conducting humanitarian aid around the islands. So we went out there as a safety boat and a support boat, and we took a couple of the rescue swimmers, and we simulated that we had aircraft personnel in the water. It’s always a multi-agency group that works here, and we’re always there to help and support. We enjoy it.
Reporter:
Simulations like this demonstrate the experience that Cope North provides for it’s participants in not only wartime readiness, but humanitarian readiness as well. Reporting for Andersen Air Force Base, I’m Senior Airman Adam Harder.

• Date Taken: 03.05.2014
• Date Posted: 03.05.2014 01:31
• Category: Package
• Video ID: 322827
• VIRIN: 140305-F-IS916-001
• Filename: DOD_101149489
• Length: 00:01:36
• Location: AGAT BAY, GU