You may see increased air traffic this week as 19 Wing Comox hosts the Canadian Search and Rescue Exercise through Friday.

Aircraft taking part in the exercise may be seen flying at low altitudes above mountain ranges, establishing search patterns, and parachuting, while also conducting parachute cargo drops, hoist operations and maritime search and rescue.

On Friday September 26, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Air Force Beach will be closed to the public for the final scenario of the exercise.

Access to the designated beach area will be restricted. Signage and personnel will be in place to enforce the closure and 19 Wing is asking residents to respect the boundaries.

This closure does not affect the campground, but campers are asked to remain clear of the exercise area.

Scenario locations are all within 110 kilometers from 19 Wing Comox and the exercise will have no impact to daily search and rescue operations.

It brings the SAR community from across Canada and the United States to test interoperability and share best practices.

Search and Rescue crews from 14 squadrons and units will be using 18 aircraft to respond to over 100 scenarios designed to test crews on their ability to respond, regardless of the terrain.