News Releases

Rick Mercer spent Tuesday, 28 March, with crews from the Canadian Forces School of Search and Rescue (CFSSAR) and 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron. Rick dropped in for the day to participate in SAR training and talk to Search and Rescue Technicians, our own local heroes!

Rick was a great sport, allowing SAR Techs to ‘rescue’ him from an overturned vessel and from the open waters, throw him of the jetty tower, provide medical care following a ‘spine injury’ and just in general tell stories throughout the day.

After spending over half the day in water or strapped to a litter (stretcher for hoisting), Rick certainly had a better appreciation of the specialized equipment that SAR Techs require for their risky business and the aircraft and aircrews involved in search and rescue. Although the weather wasn’t too bad by West Coast standards, some overcast and rain, missions tend to occur during gale force or snowstorms, where crews risk their own lives “that others may live.”

Wing personnel welcomed the opportunity to work with Rick, a Canadian icon, and did their best to showcase their medical and rescue skills! We’ll find out how well we conveyed our duties to Canadians on Tuesday, April 4, on CBC’s “The Rick Mercer Report.” (Channel 3 in the Comox Valley).

“Rick Mercer is genuine and as gregarious in person as he is on television!” said Capt. Cheryl Robinson, 19 Wing Public Affairs Officer. “He has a very quick wit and an incredible ability to work on the fly and quickly incorporate situations and equipment into his work. We all had a lot of fun and enjoyed the short, but full, day with Rick and his team.”

“It is an honour to be a part of the Rick Mercer Report and to know that 19 Wing’s search and rescue personnel are going to be showcased,” said Col. Jon Ambler, 19 Wing Commander. “We have invited Rick back to work with us at anytime and also to spend some time enjoying what the Comox Valley has to offer.”