ALCOAST 223/25 - MAY 2025 SAROPS 3.0 FAMILIARIZATION AND ROLLOUT PLAN & NATIONAL SAROPS DRIFT SCENARIO PROGRAM RELEASE - SITREP 1

R 141640Z MAY 25 MID120001933396U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 223/25
SSIC 16130
SUBJ: SAROPS 3.0 FAMILIARIZATION AND ROLLOUT PLAN & NATIONAL SAROPS
DRIFT SCENARIO PROGRAM RELEASE - SITREP 1
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 181415Z NOV 24/ALCOAST 434/24
B. The U.S. Coast Guard Addendum to the United States National
Search and Rescue Supplement (NSS) to the International Aeronautical
and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual (IAMSAR), COMDTINST 16130.2G
1. REF (A) introduced the Search and Rescue Optimal Planning System
(SAROPS) 3.0 for field familiarization and training. REF (B)
requires Search and Rescue (SAR) Watchstanders and SAR Mission
Coordinators (SMCs) to complete and evaluate quarterly SAROPS drift
scenarios.
2. CG-SAR announces the release of National SAROPS Drift Scenario
Program. This Program provides a standardized, national training
product, while reducing administrative burden on operational
commands and providing national consistency to the SAR system
training standards.
3. National SAROPS Drift Scenarios will be released by CG-SAR and
distributed through the District SAR Program Managers to Command
Centers. These packages will be comprised of three key portions:
    a. SAR Planner Scenario and Briefing Template
    b. SMC Email and Scenario Guide
    c. All-Hands Crew Review
4. The first National SAROPS Drift Scenario has been released to
the District Program Managers to be disseminated to and completed by
operational SAR Planning units during Q3 of FY2025. All subsequent
National SAROPS Drift Scenarios will be released during the first
month of each quarter, to be completed at the discretion of the
District Program Managers within that prescribed quarter.
5. REF (A) contains additional details regarding SAROPS 3.0 access
and feedback instructions.
6. Policy:
    a. One of the three SAR Watchstander SAROPS drift scenarios
required by REF (B), section 1.3.3.1(b), must be the National
SAROPS Drift Scenario.
    b. One of the three SMC SAROPS drift scenarios required by
REF (B), section 1.3.3.1(c), must be the National SAROPS Drift
Scenario.
    c. All required SAROPS drift scenario currency training must be
completed within SAROPS 3.0 to improve operational familiarity and
facilitate a smooth transition.
7. Above policy updates will be reflected in future updates of REF
(B). All other policies within REF (B) not addressed herein will
remain unchanged.
8. SAROPS 3.0 is on-track to be fully field operational during Q4
of FY2025.
9. SAROPS 2.5 remains the only authorized software for operational
use at this time.
10. POC: LCDR Michael Thompson, COMDT (CG-SAR);
HQS-DG-lst-CG-SAR-1@uscg.mil.
11. Ms. Dana S. Tulis, Director, Emergency Management (CG-5RI),
sends.
12. Internet release is authorized.