Navy Dedicated SAR Squadrons

[Gatordev]

Don’t know what else to tell you. It’s was briefed that way to the NAWDC commander. Perhaps it’s in transition. Not really my lane.

Do you know when this was briefed? It had to have been very recently.

This should mean an increase in billets and some specific TAD funding as well. This would also take away an "A" billet from a FRS JO and give it to...whom? Someone at NAWDC or someone at the SAR det?

It's an interesting choice.

 

[SynixMan]

Do you know when this was briefed? It had to have been very recently.

This should mean an increase in billets and some specific TAD funding as well. This would also take away an "A" billet from a FRS JO and give it to...whom? Someone at NAWDC or someone at the SAR det?

It's an interesting choice.

I have no doubt they'll rename it "Pacific Fleet SAR Manager" or some other bullshit to keep FRS JOs on track to ANAV gigs, and then plus up some jobs in NAWDC so the Seawolf guys can focus on tactics and not deal with mountain flying.

 

[Brett327]

Do you know when this was briefed? It had to have been very recently.

This should mean an increase in billets and some specific TAD funding as well. This would also take away an "A" billet from a FRS JO and give it to...whom? Someone at NAWDC or someone at the SAR det?

It's an interesting choice.

March

 

[Raymero]

You're probably looking at Whidbey SAR. There are a few others - El Centro, Fallon, Pax River, Key West, Leemoore. They are small detachments of helicopters that technically belong to the base and are not independent squadrons. As a pilot, do not plan on getting these, but outside of Key West and Whidbey, none of them are particularly competitive to get, just need to have the right timing and the basic quals as a helo pilot.

 

[Raymero]

Yuma SAR deactivated a couple weeks ago.

Fallon SAR stopped operations 06/30/2022. A friend called me and told me she was out of that job.

 

[Hair Warrior]

Why are Fallon/Yuma deactivating?

 

[ea6bflyr]

Why are Fallon/Yuma deactivating?

Maybe this?

 

[Brett327]

Why are Fallon/Yuma deactivating?

For Fallon: They aren't... just changing what parent UIC they're attached to.

 

[Raymero]

100% tracking, and I appreciate the feedback. I’ve heard about the potential consequences of not keeping your cards close and I don’t plan on being super vocal about it, just throwing out some feelers. Definitely keeping my options open and trying to learn the most that I can about all the possibilities.

In case anyone is interested Whidbey SAR is holding a reunion 9/11/2022.

 

[Raymero]

As others have mentioned, it definitely sounds like Whidbey SAR.

Fun fact: Growler squadrons will sometimes do surprise survival training with the Whidbey SAR squadron. They'll schedule aircrew for a flight, let them brief and dress, then when they go to walk they get told, "Surprise! You're going up into the mountains with the SAR guys".

The intent is to show aircrew how much it sucks to be in the Cascades if you aren't dressed for egress.

While I was attached to NAS Whidbey I attended CWEST, Cold Weather Escape and Survival Training. Classroom and actual 3-4 days up on Mt. Baker. The Mt. Baker thing happened one day upon arriving from a Southern CA. flight. There was a bus waiting for us. Myself and a fellow crewman were selected along with 4 folks from the attack community at Whidbey. No prior warning, out of the plane and into the bus and up to the mountain. We used the methods learned in the classroom portion and until we attracted attention of passing aircraft we sat up in the hills. While there we built different type shelters etc. Quite a learning experience.

 

[Ventus]

After winging and selecting Sierras this past September, definitely seems like station SAR is the dream assignment, at least to me. Flying up in the mountains is exactly the type of flying that draws me in.

Flight School and FRS instructors seem to be lined up in saying Guam Exped squadron does the most SAR when it comes to numbers of rescues.

Sitting at 10 years time in service right now so not TOO concerned about not hitting 20 after MSR. I hear a lot of people talking about transferring to the Coast Guard after MSR and possibly even beforehand? Although a second Inter-Service Transfer in my career would definitely bring back the pokemon "collect them all" jokes.
If I had to pick a location for Coast Guard though, would definitely pick Traverse City, MI, Kodiak, AK, or somewhere in Florida.

 

[Meyerkord]

Flight School and FRS instructors seem to be lined up in saying Guam Exped squadron does the most SAR when it comes to numbers of rescues.

Checks out. Our SAR officer posted a screenshot of the latest number of rescue reports by unit and HSC-25 has the most by far (for operational squadrons)

 

[MIDNJAC]

After winging and selecting Sierras this past September, definitely seems like station SAR is the dream assignment, at least to me. Flying up in the mountains is exactly the type of flying that draws me in.

Flight School and FRS instructors seem to be lined up in saying Guam Exped squadron does the most SAR when it comes to numbers of rescues.

Sitting at 10 years time in service right now so not TOO concerned about not hitting 20 after MSR. I hear a lot of people talking about transferring to the Coast Guard after MSR and possibly even beforehand? Although a second Inter-Service Transfer in my career would definitely bring back the pokemon "collect them all" jokes.
If I had to pick a location for Coast Guard though, would definitely pick Traverse City, MI, Kodiak, AK, or somewhere in Florida.

If you want more demanding RW flying, I'd imagine CG would be a good IST. If you want to fly professionally outside of RW jobs after the military, it might not be the IST you want though. Also, last I remember, you lost a pay grade in the transaction with them......or maybe I am remembering an overly simplified version of the actual events? If so, that could be not as great for your High 3 (assuming you are still that option), depending on your exact career timing.

 

[JTS11]

If you want more demanding RW flying, I'd imagine CG would be a good IST. If you want to fly professionally outside of RW jobs after the military, it might not be the IST you want though. Also, last I remember, you lost a pay grade in the transaction with them......or maybe I am remembering an overly simplified version of the actual events? If so, that could be not as great for your High 3 (assuming you are still that option), depending on your exact career timing.

That's how I remembered the IST program with the CG. As an 0-3, you'd do a penalty turn as an O-2. Maybe it's changed, I dunno...

The one dude I know that got the CG IST wasn't excited that his Top 5 duty stations request wasn't honored, and got assigned to Detroit. Damned CG detailers!🖕😄

 

[JTS11]

After winging and selecting Sierras this past September, definitely seems like station SAR is the dream assignment, at least to me. Flying up in the mountains is exactly the type of flying that draws me in.

Flight School and FRS instructors seem to be lined up in saying Guam Exped squadron does the most SAR when it comes to numbers of rescues.

Sitting at 10 years time in service right now so not TOO concerned about not hitting 20 after MSR. I hear a lot of people talking about transferring to the Coast Guard after MSR and possibly even beforehand? Although a second Inter-Service Transfer in my career would definitely bring back the pokemon "collect them all" jokes.
If I had to pick a location for Coast Guard though, would definitely pick Traverse City, MI, Kodiak, AK, or somewhere in Florida.

I'll just say this. I think you'll think about it differently as you approach your MSR, getting close to 20. Do you really want to take a pay cut, and be the "new guy" at that point? Maybe so, just pointing out some realities. There is a lot of info on this site about pros/cons of different greener pastures. Not arguing against or for, but sometimes they're not always greener.