Search and Rescue – A 2013 Week of the Arctic Summary

Untitled Search and Rescue – A 2013 Week of the Arctic Summary The Arctic Search and Rescue Agreement, an international treaty concluded among the Arctic Council member states was established in 2011 to recognize the need to coordinate international search and rescue (SAR) coverage and response in the Arctic. [...] In response to the agreement and in in response to the need for further capabilities for the whole of Alaska, current, new and future capabilities were discussed among experts at this Week of the Arctic event on Search and Rescue in the Arctic. [...] Department of Defense (DOD) capabilities in Alaska are immense with the majority of their assets in Anchorage and the ability to call on an active duty army at Fort Wainwright and the Army National Guard that has the capabilities to move assets around for easier access. [...] And at the end of the day, the greatest problem for SAR response is the geographic size of Alaska and the Arctic. [...] The role of the coast guard in Alaska is unique and flourishing in light of Alaska’s unique geographic location in the Arctic.