Photo courtesy of Lieutenant Junior Grade Brendan A. Blain, United States Coast Guard, Air Station Cape Cod.

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So that others may live

Canadian Forces pilot saving lives with United States Coast Guard

by Acting Sub-Lieutenant David Lavallee, Military Public Affairs at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

In Canada, the military-known as the Canadian Forces (CF)-plays a major role in search and rescue (SAR) operations. The motto of Canada's military SAR personnel is "so that others may live," characterizing their devotion to helping those in distress.

As in Canada, pilots are critical to United States Coast Guard (USCG) SAR operations. As a group, they consist of extremely dedicated people, such as CF pilot Captain Byron Johnson.

Serving at USCG Air Station in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, the Peterborough, Ont. native has spent a year and a half flying SAR and law enforcement missions as part of an exchange program between the Canadian and U.S. militaries.

With nearly 17 years of CF service under his belt, Capt. Johnson has flown Cormorant, Labrador and Griffon helicopters. The USCG posting offered a chance to operate the HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter.

"It flies a lot like the Labrador, actually, in terms of how it feels, although it has got quite a bit more power," he says. "It's a cousin of the Blackhawk. It's built for war, it can take rounds, so it's very robust and heavy."

The pilots' work is also robust. Five times a month, they rotate being on duty for a fixed period to respond to SAR cases or any other similar situations that may arise on their watch. They also do training flights, patrols and other types of missions, as well as tertiary duties like scheduling and mission planning.

USCG SAR activities are similar to those of the CF in Canada, with the main differences being responsibilities. In Canada, the CF conducts SAR over both land and water, in partnership with other agencies. With the USCG, SAR focuses solely on maritime missions, with overland SAR being handled by the U.S. Air Force or Air National Guard.

In terms of actual missions, as is typical of SAR, the tempo varies. "I've never really been the type to keep count," he says, when asked how many missions he's flown with the USCG. "It's probably a couple per month, on average. Sometimes you do a couple in a weekend, then go a couple of months without doing any."

When he's not flying, Capt. Johnson spends his time with his wife and three daughters, who have joined him in Cape Cod.

"They adjusted really quickly and they've really enjoyed it," he says of their time in the U.S., which is due to end in just over a year. "I think it's going to be hard for them when it comes time to leave."

Until then, Capt. Johnson will continue flying alongside his American comrades, who have left their mark on him.

"The group I work with is probably a younger group compared to the group I worked with in Canada," he notes. "They're very motivated and professional, and I'm very impressed."

Capt. Johnson is one of nearly 700 CF members serving in the U.S. Their work exemplifies our partnership with our American allies in contributing to security in North America and throughout the world. To learn more, please visit www.CanadianAlly.com.