Comox residents may hear Skyvan aircraft flying overhead and see parachutists jumping regularly this week.

The aircraft involved will be contracted in support of Search and Rescue instructional staff parachute proficiency.

Qualified SAR Techs from 19 Wing will participate in the training, conducting both Static Line and Freefall jumps with and without equipment to various Drop Zones in the area.

Flights and jumps are scheduled to occur between the hours of 8am and 4pm today through Friday.

Officials say all measures are being taken to ensure minimum inconvenience to those living near the training areas.

While welcome to observe and photograph parachute operations, residents are asked not to approach the drop zones.

Search and Rescue techs are specialists who provide advanced pre-hospital medical care and rescue for aviators, mariners, and others in distress in remote or hard-to-reach areas.

SAR Techs are trained to a primary-care paramedic national standard with additional advanced skills, and they also specialize in land and maritime rescue techniques, including Land, Arctic and Sea survival, confined area parachuting, rescue diving, mountain, and helicopter rescue.

Canadian Armed Forces has the primary responsibility of providing aeronautical SAR services and is responsible for the effective operation of the coordinated aeronautical and maritime SAR system.

The CAF may also help with ground SAR efforts, medical evacuations, and other incidents where people are in distress.