From: tim@ais.org (Tim Tyler)
Subject: Re: emergency freqs
Organization: UMCC
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1992 09:17:31 GMT

 
United States Air Force 
Air Force Communications Command / Aerospace Rescue
Service 
OPLAN 9506 -- Search and Rescue 
                                                     
COMMUNICATIONS 
 
  During the coordination phase of requesting AFCC mobile
communication assistance, a joint AFCC/ARS determination will be
made regarding frequencies needed to support the deployed unit.
AFCC may elect to use MARS or other AFCC available frequencies for
point-to-point communications, or may request AMC clearance of a
different frequency. 
 
Emergency Communications Frequencies 
   The unit in distress, or a station that has been assigned 
controlling responsibility by the unit in distress, controls
distress traffic. However, for cases involving international civil
aviation, the station addressed by the distress message controls
distress traffic. Once communications are established with a
distressed unit, they should be maintained on the same frequency.
The following frequencies have been assigned as distress or
emergency frequencies: 
500kHz  -- International CW/MCW distress & calling (Not       
           guarded by USN ships).   **Phasing out** 
2182kHz -- International voice distress/safety/calling.  
4125kHz -- International voice distress/safety/calling 
           backup (not guarded). 
6215.5kHz- International voice distress/safety/calling 
           backup (not guarded). 
8364kHz -- International CW/MCW lifeboat/survival craft &  
           SAR forces. 
27.065MHz -- Citizens' Band Radio emergency freq. (Ch 9). 
121.5MHz -- International Civil Aviation Distress. Voice + ELT/EPIRBs. 
156.8MHz -- VHF-FM International voice distress/safety & 
            calling.  EPIRB alert tones. Marine channel 16. 
156.75MHz-- Class C (marine) EPIRB 15 second homing signal. 
243.0MHz -- Joint/Combined military UHF voice aeronautical 
            emergency, international survival craft & ELTs. 
 
Search and Rescue Dedicated Frequencies 
3023.5kHz -International voice SAR on-scene PRIMARY. 
5680kHz -- International voice SAR on-scene. 
8364kHz -- International survival craft & SAR on-scene. 
           Guarded by USN during aircraft Maritime Patrol  
           Operations in support of fleet units. 
 40.5MHz --(FM) United States DoD Joint Operations common. 
121.6MHz --U.S./Canada voice SAR on-scene. 
123.1MHz -- International voice SAR on-scene PRIMARY. 
138.45MHz -(FM) ARS on-scene.                                     
138.78MHz -(FM) ARS on-scene (discrete). 
156.3MHz -- Merchant ship/USCG on-scene. Marine radio ch# 6. 
259.0MHz -- UHF/AM CONUS Air Rescue Operations. 
282.8MHz -- Joint/Combined SAR DF & on-scene PRIMARY. 
381.0MHz -- CONUS Air Rescue Operations.                      
381.8MHz -- USCG aircraft working frequency.                  
 
USCG Aircraft HF working freqs: (USB) 
5692              8984 
5696             11197 
8980             11201 
 
Civil Air Patrol (CAP) 
4582kHz USB -- National Emergency & Calling frequency. 
26.62MHz AM 
143.90MHz AM/FM
148.15MHz AM/FM & FM Repeaters.

   SAR Mission Communications
The SAR Coordinator (SC) should establish the radio frequencies
available for assignment as control, on-scene, monitor, homing, and
press channels in the SAR Plan.  The SAR Mission Coordinator (SMC)
selects the SAR-dedicated frequencies, informs the On-Scene
Commander (OSC) and/or SAR Units (SRUs) of the assigned
frequencies, and establishes communications between adjacent Rescue
Coordination Centers (RCCs) and with parent agencies of the units
involved in the SAR.  The OSC will maintain communications with all
SRUs and with the SMC. A primary & secondary frequency in the HF,
VHF and/or UHF band should be assisned as an "on-scene" channel.
    The On-Scene Commander (OSC) controls the communications on-scene and
ensures that reliable communications are maintained.  The SRUs will report
to the OSC on the assigned "on-scene" frequency.
    All units involved in the SAR operation should identify 
themselves using vessel name, aircraft type or tail #, or shore
location or name.  Classified tactical callsigns should not be used
unless the SAR mission is classified or behind enemy lines.  Armed
Forces, CAP, or USCG aircraft should use the word "RESCUE" in their
callsign when priority handling is critical.  SAR Units (SRUs)
should initially check in with the On-Scene Commander (OSC) using
their full, plain-language callsign. Thereafter, search area 
assignments, such as "Alpha 6" or "Delta 2" should be used as
callsigns. 
    A Control Channel is to be used by the On-Scene Commander & SAR
Mission Coordinator only.  On-Scene Channels are used between the OSC and SRUs.
   Monitor Channels are guarded by the SRUs for possible
transmissions from the distressed craft/survivors. 
    En-Route Channels are used by the SRUs and their parent
agencies until the SRU reaches the SAR scene, & switches their
operational control to the OSC. 
    A Homing Channel can be any On-Scene or Distress frequency used
for direction finding. 
    Press Channels are used by news media personnel for filing
stories. When possible, the Press Channels will be regular
HF/VHF/INMARSAT marine and/or aircraft frequencies available to the
public for phone patches, etc. 
  
 
 
Primary CONUS RCC -- Scott AFB, IL.  
 
 
                                                   LAST UPDATE: 21 DEC 91

-- 
 Tim Tyler   Internet: tim@ais.org  MCI Mail: 442-5735  C$erve: 72571,1005
P.O. Box 443     Packet: KA8VIR @KA8UNZ.#SEMI.MI.USA.NA
Ypsilanti MI
48197-0443                  PADI, USPA, AFCEA, INEOA, P226, VFR700, etc.