Army Aviation Command Search and Rescue Mission

Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) missions during crises and wartime, as well as Search and Rescue (SAR) missions during peacetime, are part of the many critical tasks and duties entrusted to the Army Aviation Command, which serves as one of the main subordinate units of the Land Forces Command.

Search and Rescue Units during peacetime and Combat Search and Rescue Units during crises and wartime are equipped with all necessary gear depending on the nature of the mission, including helicopters for rescue operations and specially trained search and rescue pilots and technicians, known as Search and Rescue Operations Specialists, to ensure the rapid and effective execution of Personnel Recovery Operations.

The search and rescue operations specialists who have graduated from the Personnel Rescue (PR) Basic Training provided by the Air Force Personnel Rescue Training Command are equipped with special gear and tools. They are capable of jumping with parachutes, diving if trained as frogmen, knowing first aid procedures, conducting rescue/recovery operations using special equipment in all types of terrain and weather conditions, rappelling onto the accident site using the helicopter winch, rope ladder, fast-roping, etc. They can also operate machine guns on the helicopter and, if necessary, use the rescue hoist. 

The primary goal of search and rescue missions is to save lives, so they take precedence over other missions. It is essential to mobilize available resources as soon as possible to ensure that survivors are rescued in the best possible condition and as quickly as possible.

The main SAR activities that fall within the scope of duty of the Turkish Land Forces SAR Unit are as follows; 

1. Searching for and rescuing crew members and passengers of sea vessels and aircraft in distress or in danger on land or at sea. 

2. Searching for and rescuing military personnel in distress or danger in rural areas, rivers, lakes, caves, forests, mountains, etc., by land and air by the army aviation elements. 

3. While not part of its primary duties, the Land Forces SAR Unit is always ready to extend its services to civilians in need. Upon request, it can provide air ambulance services, emergency medical evacuation by helicopter, organ transport, and search and rescue operations in various environments such as rural areas, seas, rivers, lakes, caves, forests, and mountains. 

4. SAR activities in the airspace and/or territorial waters of foreign countries are conducted upon the request/permission of the relevant country. 

The Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) activities falling within the scope of the Turkish Land Forces CSAR Unit involve the rescue of downed or in danger flight crews and/or critical personnel during crises, wartime, and military operations. The execution of these activities depends on the threat, the number of personnel to be rescued, and the establishment of the Combat Search and Rescue Task Force.