Photos available: Coast Guard, Navy, Marines, and Air Force conduct search and rescue exercise 

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 05/21/2021 02:21 PM EDT

united states coast guard 

News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 5th District Mid-Atlantic
Contact: 5th District Public Affairs
Office: (757) 398-6272
After Hours: (757) 295-8435
5th District online newsroom

Photos available: Coast Guard, Navy, Marines, and Air Force conduct search and rescue exercise 

A Navy aircrew on an MH-60 Seahawk helicopter from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron-2 retrieves a Marine pilot from the Atlantic Ocean as part of the joint-service search and rescue exercise, May 18, 2021, near Cape Hatteras, NC. The Navy, along with the Coast Guard, the Marines and the Air Force participated in the exercise in order to test communication capabilities in the event of a joint-service response. (Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Third Class Breanna Centeno/Released)

Coast Guard, Navy, Marines, and Air Force conduct search and rescue exercise   Coast Guard, Navy, Marines, and Air Force conduct search and rescue exercise

Coast Guard Cutter Richard Snyder (WPC 1127) patrols the water surrounding the joint-service search and rescue exercise, May 18, 2021, near Cape Hatteras, NC. The Richard Snyder participated in a joint-service search and rescue exercise with the Navy, the Marines and the Air Force in order to test communication capabilities in the event of a joint-service response. (Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Third Class Emily Velez/Released)    Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. James Willette briefs the crew and passengers of the HC-130 Hercules airplane prior to departure, May 18, 2021, in Elizabeth City, NC. The crew from Air Station Elizabeth City participated in a joint-service search and rescue exercise with the Navy, the Marines and the Air Force in order to test communication capabilities in the event of a joint-service response. (Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Third Class Emily Velez/Released)

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard, Navy, Marines, and Air Force conducted a search and rescue exercise off the coast of Cape Lookout, N.C., Tuesday.

The purpose of the exercise is to test and provide realistic feedback on existing policies, plans, procedures, and agreements with the Coast Guard and partner Department of Defense units within the Fifth Coast Guard District’s area of responsibility.

“We always look forward to opportunities that highlight our multi-agency partnerships, and this outstanding exercise only further underscored the value of our relationships with our partners," said Capt. Timothy Eason, chief of response for the Coast Guard 5th District. “We were able to exercise the satellite notification system, stress our internal and external communications plans, and safely recover two simulated downed aviators using Coast Guard and Navy aircraft.”

The exercise included recovery of in-water objects, helicopter hoists, use of flares, and mass search and rescue operations.

"This exercise was an amazing opportunity for our squadron to conduct excellent training and further solidify our procedures for a multi-service rescue effort," said Lt. Austen Wildberger, an instructor pilot at Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron.

The Department of the Navy and Coast Guard frequently work together worldwide to support a variety of maritime operations that are vital to the security and prosperity of the United States.

 -USCG-