The 2026 Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) was held in San Antonio on May 18 to 21. The annual exercise focuses on disaster response preparedness for search and rescue organizations and helps improve interagency coordination between state and federal partners.
This year, there were more than 335 attendees from 13 different agencies, 22 aircraft, 275 hoists, 339 personnel moved and more than 84 hours flown.
SAREX 2026 integrated rotary-wing rescue assets with unmanned aircraft systems teams to improve situational awareness and communication between agencies. It enabled search and rescue aviation to develop better coordination mechanisms in real-world scenarios for responding to hurricanes and natural disasters.
“One of the rescue sites, Camp Bullis, provided a realistic disaster environment that first responders could face, including power lines, trees, roof extractions and more,” Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Rob Meischen, a SAREX planner assigned to the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade, said. “Collectively, this training is exactly what aircrews, hoist personnel, ground teams and UAS operators need to help validate training and processes, so we are better prepared for the next Kerrville or Hurricane Harvey.”
The Texas Military Department and civilian emergency agencies, strengthened interagency partnerships that are essential to lifesaving operations, by providing rapid aerial response, personnel transport and coordinated aviation support.