Military-involved search and rescue exercise based out of Grande Prairie

The Grande Prairie Airport will be a hub of activity this week as it hosts a large-scale search and rescue training exercise. Several Canadian Forces planes have made their way to the Swan City from the 4-35 squadron of Winnipeg to take part. They’ll be joined by the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association, STARS Air Ambulance, and Grande Prairie Technical Search and Rescue.
 
It’s been years since an exercise of this size was done in GP, but CASARA president Dale Kirsch says it’s an ideal location due to its proximity to the Rocky Mountains. Scenarios will be held Tuesday through Thursday across northwestern Alberta, so you might see more planes in the area than usual, but otherwise the public won’t be affected other than catching a glimpse of an air drop.