CAP to Host Air Force SAR Course in Sioux Falls
RAPID CITY, S.D. - South Dakota Wing, Civil Air Patrol, will host a Basic Inland SAR Course (BISC) June 16-17 in Sioux Falls.
Instructors from the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC), part of 1st Air Force, teach the class.
“The SAR management course is aimed at the on-scene decision makers,” said CAP Lt. Col. Bill Strandell, course coordinator for South Dakota Wing. “This includes the incident commander, planners, operations chief, and other people on and off scene who need to understand how the search decisions are made in order to build confidence and support the incident commander.”
Civil Air Patrol members interested in qualifying for incident leadership roles in the future should also attend, according to Strandell. The course is designed for CAP, he said, but can also benefit other SAR agencies, including state, local, volunteer and law enforcement, which adds to the beneficial crosstalk within the class, he said.
“The Basic Inland SAR Course is an outstanding program,” said CAP Col. Michael Marek, CAP commander in South Dakota. “It covers a SAR network overview, AFRCC, resources and mission types, radar and cell phone forensics, beacons, FAA, and mission operations, including working with family and media. The course concludes with a major tabletop exercise.”
Registration for the BISC is limited to 24 people. If more apply, AFRCC will make the final selection. Applications should be received by May 17.
CAP members will have billeting available at the Army National Guard Regional Training Institute (RTI), including $38 for a private room and $37 for a semi-private room with a shared bathroom. Other attendees manage their own lodging.
Registration/application for the Basic Inland SAR Course is at: https://www.signupforms.com/registrations/27707/
Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the civilian auxiliary of the Air Force. As part of USAF support for civil authorities to save lives, CAP is assigned operational missions that relieve suffering, prevent property damage, and provide humanitarian assistance. CAP also develops young leaders through its cadet program and promotes aerospace education.
With close to 400 members in South Dakota with units in Brookings, Custer, Miller/Faulkton, Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Spearfish and Tea, the wing can deploy its six aircraft, ground teams and small search drones to assist in disaster response and other support to local, state, tribal and federal agencies.
