Rescue Coordination Centers (RCCs)
Note: if you have accidentally activated your beacon but do not need assistance, please contact the appropriate RCC right now (day or night) to cancel the search efforts. For ELT’s and PLB’s, contact the Air Force RCC at 1-800-851-3051. For EPIRB’s, contact the U.S. Coast Guard at 1-855-406-USCG (8724).
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…
Air Force
The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) at Tyndall AFB, FL 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. They can be contacted at: 1-800-851-3051
For Alaskan inland areas, the Alaska Air National Guard operates the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center (AKRCC) at Elmendorf AFB, on the north side of Anchorage. Alaskan SAR is carried out by Air National Guard units, the Alaska State Troopers and local borough search and rescue organizations. The AKRCC can be contacted by phone or fax, at these numbers:
Main phone line: (907) 551-7230
Toll free: 1-800-420-7230
Fax: (907) 551-7245
Coast Guard
The U.S. Coast Guard not only coordinates, but usually conducts maritime SAR missions, including for the waters of Alaska. 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).