NORTH COAST, Calif. — Search and rescue teams from around Northern California participated in a multi-day helicopter training earlier this summer at Lake Mendocino.

The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team reported that it led the advanced helicopter awareness training May 30 to June 1.

Officials said Mendocino’s team completed the specialized helicopter awareness training exercise with the assistance of search and rescue teams in Napa and Marin, and California Search and Rescue.

The exercise was designed to enhance emergency response capabilities in challenging terrain.

The joint training operation, conducted in collaboration with regional aviation partners, focused on loading / unloading operations, hoist procedures, and rapid deployment of SAR personnel into remote and rugged areas. 

The exercise took place at the Lake Mendocino Emergency Spillway, allowing for multiple training areas, simulating real-world scenarios that often require helicopter support during critical rescue missions.

The training included both seasoned volunteers and new recruits, all of whom trained under the guidance of certified flight crews and search and rescue coordinators. Emphasis was placed on communication, safety protocols, and coordination between ground and air units.

The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team thanked the search and rescue teams from Alameda, Contra Costa, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Marin, Napa, Nevada, Placer, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma counties, and Bay Area Mountain Rescue Unit, California Rescue Dog Association and California Search and Rescue Team for their participation and assistance in making the training possible.

Mendocino County’s team extended its sincere gratitude to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for providing access to the training location, and to Silva Septic, The Party Pros, Taqueria Michoacan, My California Food Truck, Ocean Fresh LLC, Slam Dunk Pizza, Starbucks Coffee and the Ukiah Natural Foods Co-Op for their generous logistical support. 

“These community partnerships were instrumental in the success of the training weekend,” the team said.

The team also thanked CalFire, REACH Air Medical Services, Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Henry-1 and the United States Coast Guard for providing their helicopters and helicopter crews for this training event.