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Navy, Coast Guard to hold search and rescue exercise over the Chesapeake Bay today

Posted at 9:19 AM, Mar 25, 2015
and last updated 2015-03-25 10:19:51-04

Norfolk, Va. – Navy helicopters and aircraft will conduct a search and rescue exercise with the U.S. Coast Guard and Sentara Norfolk General Hospital on Wednesday.

Increased helicopter operations can be expected in the vicinity of Sentara Norfolk General Hospital Wednesday afternoon.

Five Navy helicopters and two E-2C Hawkeye aircraft from Naval Station Norfolk Chambers Field will conduct a combined Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) with the U.S. Coast Guard over a portion of the Chesapeake Bay.

The exercise will include units from Coast Guard Station Wachapreague, Va. and Navy MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopters from Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) Squadrons Two, Five, Seven and Twenty Six.

Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility (FACSFAC) Virginia Capes will relay search instructions to two airborne E-2C Hawkeye aircraft from Carrier Airborne Early Warning (VAW) Squadrons 120 and 124 serving as on scene coordinators.

The Hawkeyes will direct the helicopters to the recovery of the “survivors” who will transport them to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital’s trauma unit for treatment.

The SAREX is intended to hone the skills of Navy helicopter crews to conduct SAR missions and to increase coordination between Navy, Coast Guard, and local trauma facilities.