Winnipeg soldiers help search and rescue efforts in Wainwright

Eleven military search and rescue technicians from Winnipeg were deployed to Wainwright, Alta. following a fire that killed four military members and injured 39 others during a live-fire training exercise Saturday.

It was the largest mobilization of SAR Techs, elite primary-care paramedics in the Royal Canadian Air Force, in recent memory, a military spokesperson told the Free Press.

Every search and rescue technician available from 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron, located at 17 Wing Winnipeg — even those off duty — were sent to Wainwright.

The technicians, who have special training to jump from aircraft into extreme environments, parachuted onto the scene from a CC-130H Hercules airplane to provide care for those injured in the fast-moving grass fire that engulfed a training area at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright.

None of the SAR Techs were injured, said an emailed statement from 1 Canadian Air Division, the operational headquarters of the Royal Canadian Air Force, based in Winnipeg.

“Our collective thoughts are with all individuals involved, including their families, loved ones, and everyone impacted by this tragedy,” the statement said.

Support services are available to the search and rescue technicians “if they are having difficulty facing the reality of what they witnessed in Wainwright.”

The Shilo Military Family Resource Centre, located about 30 kilometres southeast of Brandon, is also offering counselling and other assistance to families and military members stationed there.

Military officials have yet to confirm if any of the 39 injured Saturday were from CFB Shilo, which is home to two units that participated in the Wainwright training: the 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and the 1st Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery.

kelly.riess@winnipegfreepress.com