National Search and Rescue School

National Search and Rescue School Joint USCG/USAF National Search and Rescue School The National SAR School is the world's premier source for Search and Rescue (SAR) training.

The joint Coast Guard / Air Force staff provides training in oceanic, coastal, and inland search planning procedures to SAR professionals from all U.S. military branches, various U.S. government agencies, volunteer SAR organizations, as well as members of the international SAR community. Originally located at the former USCG Training Center on Governor's Island, NY, it is now located at the USCG Training Center in Yorktown, VA.

09/10/2025

Today marks the inaugural Global Search and Rescue Day, honoring the Mission Control Center and Rescue Coordination Center professionals who have stood watch since the first satellite-aided rescue on Sept. 10, 1982. Every day, they turn satellite detections of beacon distress signals into saved lives, one distress call at a time. 📡

In March, US Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders received two personal locator beacon alerts on the same night and swiftly located both individuals in distress thanks to their diligence, communication skills and the registered and activated PLBs they carried.

To all MCC, RCC, and USCG watchstanders: thank you for standing the watch and saving lives. 🫡

12/28/2024
That others may live. AF Rescue has a very long reach due to it’s helicopter refueling capability as well as PJ’s and C...
05/11/2024

That others may live. AF Rescue has a very long reach due to it’s helicopter refueling capability as well as PJ’s and Combat Rescue Officers who are MD’s.

The 920th Rescue Wing successfully conducted a civilian medical airlift operation of a critical patient aboard a cruise ship located more than 350-nautical-miles off the eastern coast of the United

03/22/2024
07/15/2023
09/29/2022

Search and Rescue (SAR) Professionals from the Bay area completed an intensive 4-day Coordination and Ex*****on course on Coast Guard Island, Alameda with instructors from the National Search and Rescue School.

Participants from various agencies learned about search patterns, flare incidents, communications, rescue planning, and On-Scene Coordinator duties.

US Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento
U. S. Coast Guard Sector San Francisco
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
Alameda Fire Department
Tiburon Fire Protection District
Solano County Sheriff's Office
U.S. Coast Guard Office of Emergency Management & Disaster Response

Here’s info on the Inland Search Planning Course, how and when it’s conducted, and how to apply to attend through your h...
08/08/2022

Here’s info on the Inland Search Planning Course, how and when it’s conducted, and how to apply to attend through your home agency.

Hope it answers a number of questions.

The five (5) day Inland SAR Planning Course is a comprehensive, "graduate-level" look at search theory and its application to land and air searches for missing persons and aircraft, focusing on wilderness, not urban, searches. The course consists of classroom lessons and practical, tabletop exercise...

05/22/2022
03/23/2022

Today, bright orange “If Found” stickers are available through local Coast Guard Auxiliary flotillas, United States Power Squadrons offices, kayak and canoe shops and websites, harbor masters, and commercial sources such as Amazon.

Address

USCG Training Center
Yorktown, VA
23690

Website

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