JP 3-50 National Search and Rescue Manual Vol I - US Navy

560 PLANNING OF ON SCENE COORDINATION
561 OSC Designation
The SMC should assign the best qualified and most capable SRU as
the OSC, regardless of seniority. For maritime incidents a SAR vessel
with adequate communications is normally assigned as OSC because of
greater on scene endurance.
562 ATC Coordination
A. The SMC must often coordinate with ATC facilities during a
mission and should be familiar with ATC procedures. Aircraft are
prohibited from flying in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) in
controlled airspace unless flying on an IFR clearance provided by ATC.
It is usually not possible to obtain an IFR clearance in uncontrolled
airspace, and, as a result, aircraft may operate only if visual
separation from other aircraft and obstacles can be maintained. Stateowned
aircraft flying over open ocean may operate in IMC without an IFR
clearance, provided certain criteria are met. The parent agency or the
pilot in command should be consulted regarding these operations.
B. The Department of Defense controls many areas that are
designated as special use airspace. These include Military Operating
Areas (MOAs), Low Level Training Routes, and Restricted Areas over land
and Warning Areas over the ocean. If a distress requires SRU operation
in these areas, prior coordination with the military command exercising
control over the special use airspace is necessary. The names and
telephone numbers for the controlling agencies are available in various
military Flight Information Publications (FLIPs).
C. SAR Airspace Reservations. The SMC may request ATCs to
establish temporary airspace or altitude reservations during SAR
operations to prevent non-SAR aircraft from interfering with search
operations.
1. Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) are obtainable in
domestic airspace, and may be imposed for forest fires,
floods, earthquakes, or similar disasters (see Appendix F).
The designated area normally is within 5 statute miles of the
disaster boundaries and includes altitudes to 2,000 feet above
the surface.
a. No person may operate an aircraft within the area
unless:
(1) Operating under direction of the agency
responsible for relief activities.
(2) Transiting to or from an airport within the area
and operating so as not to hamper or endanger relief
activities.