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RESCUE COORDINATION CENTERS

Rescue Coordination Centers (RCCs) in the United States are operated by the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Air Force. RCCs receive Cospas-Sarsat distress alerts sent by the USMCC and are responsible for coordinating the rescue response to the distress. Each service takes a slightly different approach to Search and Rescue…

 

The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) at Langley AFB, VA coordinates all inland SAR activities in the continental U.S., but does not directly prosecute SAR cases. In most situations, the actual search and rescue is carried out by the Civil Air Patrol, state police or local rescue services.


For Alaskan inland areas, the Air National Guard operates the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center (AKRCC) at Ft. Richardson, AK north of Anchorage. Alaskan SAR is carried out by Air National Guard units, the Alaska State Troopers and local borough search and rescue organizations.

 

The U.S. Coast Guard not only coordinates, but usually conducts maritime SAR missions. Coast Guard RCCs are set up to cover specific geographic areas and act as command and coordination centers. The geographic areas of responsibility are divided among nine Coast Guard District commands and two Rescue Sub-Centers (RSC).

 

The Department of Defense’s U.S. Southern Command runs an active Search and Rescue Center out of Key West, FL that helps to coordinate a significant amount of COSPAS-SARSAT activity in Central & South America.

 

US Southern Command Joint Search and Rescue Center - Key West, FL

 

 

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