17 Oct 2026: Major fire at CFB Wainwright

[PrairieFella]

.

 

[Staff Weenie]

There are a few GDMO who still have their jump wings. That said, they are not typically on high readiness to go at a moment's notice. SAR Techs maintain a 24/7 response capability where they are stationed, and I suspect that calling in extra available pers to support could be quickly achieved - those I've met keep their gear ready to go at all times. They are also highly experienced at jumping into high risk scenarios, and very good at operating relatively independently until they can be relieved.

With ventilators being used, extra MO and especially a few CCNO would have been great, but finding those with jump wings and current jump experience on short notice wouldn't happen. The extra portable vents would probably have been critical for the air evac - send the patient with the equipment. I believe most portable vents now meet the requirements to be certified for use on aircraft - but that can make those vents a limiting resource.

 

[brihard]

There are a few GDMO who still have their jump wings. That said, they are not typically on high readiness to go at a moment's notice. SAR Techs maintain a 24/7 response capability where they are stationed, and I suspect that calling in extra available pers to support could be quickly achieved - those I've met keep their gear ready to go at all times. They are also highly experienced at jumping into high risk scenarios, and very good at operating relatively independently until they can be relieved.

With ventilators being used, extra MO and especially a few CCNO would have been great, but finding those with jump wings and current jump experience on short notice wouldn't happen. The extra portable vents would probably have been critical for the air evac - send the patient with the equipment. I believe most portable vents now meet the requirements to be certified for use on aircraft - but that can make those vents a limiting resource.

SAR also jump square canopy, not just the round “kick you out of the plane and hope you don’t hit too hard” parachutes.

Reminds me of the situation early in the year where the Brits tandem jumped a doc and a critical care nurse with some Parachute Regiment pathfinders onto Tristan de Cunha for a hantavirus patient. But that would have been a highly deliberate operation.

 

[OldSolduer]

I was at 17 Wing one day about 15 years ago. I ran into an MO with jump wings, a Ranger tab and a rack of medals.
It was one of the Dawe brothers- Phil think.

He was much humbler and more respectful than I remember him as a young lieutenant in battalion.

 

[armyvern]

I saw the clip yesterday of the SARTECHs landing, and it was noting they also brought in some kit (ventilators, etc.). I'll be honest that my first thoughts were that this was likely a tactical level decision made without adequate thoughts to the bigger picture. Yes, it was the fastest way to get some medically trained experts on the scene, but I questioned whether the risk involved was considered. Hopefully all due considerations were made and this was a deliberate and informed action.

That Others May Live

Words to live by.

Risk involved considered!!?? Those were OUR many, many people on the ground injured. I absolutely doubt there was even an iota of hesitation to help by our SARs, the RCAF and CJOC. And, if there was, I'm also certain they all instantaneously went "Fuck it - those are OUR people on ground who need us ... GOOO!!!". Maybe it's just me.

 

[OldSolduer]

The risk involved I bet was considered. And the risk was worth it.

 

[armyvern]

The risk involved I bet was considered. And the risk was worth it.

Absolutely.

And now after my posting and thinking about it another 5 minutes ...

SARs would have done exact same for any MCI, not just one that involved our own CAF personnel.

They've jumped extreme winds for civ casevacs before so that others may live. It's their motto. And they quite bravely live up to it.



Note: "Risk Mitigation" does not nor ever has it ever been intended to equal "Risk Elimination". Risk Mitigation = Minimize the Risk.

 

[MilEME09]

The risk involved I bet was considered. And the risk was worth it.

Yeap, I laughed at all the social media comments calling it a stunt. Sorry but sartechs and the CAF as a whole dont do stunts when lives are on the line. We also throw risk adversity out the widnow when needed.

 

[OldSolduer]

Absolutely.

And now after my posting and thinking about it another 5 minutes ...

SARs would have done exact same for any MCI, not just one that involved our own CAF personnel.

They've jumped extreme winds for civ casevacs before so that others may live. It's their motto. And they quite bravely live up to it.



Note: "Risk Mitigation" does not nor ever has it ever been intended to equal "Risk Elimination". Risk Mitigation = Minimize the Risk.

When I was awarded the MB there were two SAR guys awarded the MB. One of them - it was his second MB.
We had a short conversation only two CAF members with the wicked sense of humor we have developed.