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

coordination, and assistance of civil and military air traffic. Primary
resources which may be used for SAR are:
1. Aircraft of various types, usually operated to check the
proper functioning of aids to air navigation and to perform
other regulatory missions. These aircraft are equipped with
sophisticated sensors and area navigation equipment.
2. Flight-following and alerting services. ARTCCs provide
flight-following service for aircraft on flight plans under
instrument flight rules (IFR) and alert RCCs when an aircraft
is overdue. Flight Service Stations (FSSs) provide flightfollowing
service for aircraft on flight plans under visual
flight rules (VFR) and alert RCCs when these aircraft become
overdue.
3. Radar nets, independent and joint radar sites operated by the
FAA and ADCOM. They provide almost complete coverage of the
continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Panama, and Puerto
Rico. All sites are equipped with IFF interrogators for use
in ATC. Most major civil and military aerodromes have shortrange
terminal radar which may obtain radar contact with
distressed aircraft in the vicinity. The National Track
Analysis Program (NTAP), formerly known as ITAP, can retrieve
computer-stored radar data up to 15 days old to pinpoint a
missing aircraft's last known position. The key item for a
successful NTAP solution is the objective's last fix. NTAP
information should be requested through AFRCC, Scott AFB. In
addition to the recording radar nets listed for USAF and USN,
FAA recording Radar nets include:
a. Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC) facilities
operated by FAA within the
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