435 Transport and Rescue Squadron Represents the RCAF at the 2025 SAREX in Key West, Florida

By Martin Zeilig 

The sun shone brightly over the azure waters of Key West, Florida, as the 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) descended upon the southern tip of the Florida Keys for the 2025 Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX). This annual event, held from March 7-13, brought together Canadian and American forces to hone their life-saving skills in a series of challenging maritime operations. 

Master Corporal Connor Twomey, a Search and Rescue (SAR) Technician at 435 Squadron, reflected on his journey. "I've been a SAR Tech for 18 months, but I've served in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) for 15 years. Originally from Thunder Bay, Ontario, I started in the Army Reserves before transitioning to this role," he shared with a smile. 

Major Kevin Prior, the Operations Officer at 435 Squadron and Detachment Commander for SAREX Key West 2025, has been with the CAF for 18 years. "This exercise is a fantastic opportunity for us to conduct maritime heavy training, which we don't get much of in Winnipeg, especially during the winter," he explained. 

They were both interviewed on March 25 in the SAR Tech shop at 16 Hangar.  

The Canadian Joint Operations Command highlighted the significance of the exercise on social media: "During this exercise, CAF members honed critical life-saving skills and worked with US partners to conduct maritime Search and Rescue training, including parachute and bundle drop accuracy competitions from a CC-130H Hercules. Great job team!" 

A striking photograph captured a SAR Tech in mid-air after his jump from a Hercules aircraft, giving two thumbs up to the camera. The caption read, "Defying gravity to save lives—this is what #CAF courage looks like! On March 10, a Search and Rescue Technician from 435 Squadron leapt from a CC-130H Hercules into the open skies above Key West, Florida, during a practice free fall jump at SAREX 2025." 

The exercise, known as Key West SAREX 2025, is typically held at the Key West Naval Air Station. It involves collaboration with the 920th Rescue Wing and the 39th Rescue Squadron of the United States Air Force, who also operate C-130 Hercules aircraft, albeit a slightly different model. This cross-training with American allies is invaluable for both nations. 

The 435 Squadron's detachment included 14 personnel, comprising support staff, aircrew, and visits from their Commanding Officer and Chief Warrant Officer during the first few days. The focus of the exercise was maritime operations, with live para drops for the SAR Techs and bundle drops of various equipment from the back of the Hercules. 

"Operating in American airspace is slightly different than in Canadian airspace," Major Prior noted. "But the main focus was conducting maritime search and rescue operations." 

Master Corporal Twomey added, "Some of the maritime operations we don't get to do here in Winnipeg during the winter. So, collaborating with the U.S. is a great training opportunity. Training with them was fantastic. We conducted both static line and freefall parachute drops, message drops, and bundle drops to life rafts in the water." 

Major Prior emphasized the importance of team building during the exercise. "Even though it's a training exercise, we want to make it fun. We had bundle freefall competitions to see how close we could get to a simulated life raft in the water. The navigators would dispatch a bundle with survival equipment, and we got to pick and choose what kind of equipment to add, including some fun items." 

Master Corporal Twomey recounted his jumps: "I did three jumps—two static lines with equipment into the water and a free fall jump over land from 3,000 feet. One of the water jumps involved parachuting into the water and landing on boats with our American partners. The American pararescue teams, who also do combat search and rescue, have inflatable boats that they drop from the Hercules. These boats inflate in the water, and they attach the motor and fuel to maneuver them. We bounced ideas off each other." 

The camaraderie between the Canadian and American teams was palpable. "One of the greatest things is the esprit de corps established from the exercise," Major Prior said. "A lot of it was focused on friendly competitions. We had bundle accuracy competitions and landing accuracy competitions for our pilots. There was a decent amount of banter throughout, with some surprises and punishments for the losing team. It was a great opportunity to hone skills we don't practice often." 

The accommodation was excellent, with the team on per diem. "I was fortunate to go on the same exercise last year," Major Prior mentioned. "It was all so rewarding." 

Master Corporal Twomey concluded, "The weather was beautiful, 25-30 degrees Celsius every day. We still prioritize our military-to-military relationship with the United States. At the tactical level, it was a fantastic opportunity for us to cross-train and develop our skills as search and rescue professionals." 

Major Prior added, "We can take those lessons learned and apply them here." 

As the 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron wrapped up their time at SAREX 2025, they returned to Canada with enhanced skills, stronger bonds, and memories of a rewarding and challenging experience in the sunny skies of Key West.