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

contact with SAR aircraft approaching from staging bases, and request
altitude and orbit distance from the selected position. The aircraft
should make the same request on its flight plan.
E. SAR aircraft should use the word "rescue" in their call signs
when requesting priority handling or when in a restricted area.
F. The SMC should advise the OSC of authorized non-SAR craft in
the area.
563 Reports
The OSC must submit periodic SITREPs as discussed in Chapter 3. If
there is only one SRU, the SRU commander submits SITREPs. Normally, the
SMC requires SRU arrival time, expected departure time, actual departure
time, and similar information to properly schedule relief SRUs. The OSC
obtains search results from each departing SRU, and forwards this
information to the SMC.
564 Search Action Plan
A. After an attainable search plan is formulated, the search
action plan message is developed. The format and use of search action
plan messages are discussed in Chapter 3. Although the complete message
format is not required for every mission, it is a useful guide for
information that should be given to SRUs.
B. The search action plan considers six areas: situation, search
areas, execution, coordination required, communications, and required
reports.
1. The situation summary is an evaluation of the situation on
scene, including the nature of the emergency, last known
position of target, search target description, types of
detection aids and survival equipment which the survivors may
have, present and forecast weather, and SRUs on scene.
2. Search area details include a listing of the search area and
subareas that can be searched by SRUs during the allotted
time. Search areas should be
5-45