Group photo of all the dogs present for training and the helicopter crew from New Orleans - Photo by John Buie

Who let the dogs fly ...
the Coast Guard!

By Lt Evie Lynn, Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans

Handler and dog complete their practice hoist. - Photo by John Buie

ON October 25, 2003, Lt Roberto Torres, Lt Evie Lynn and AMT2 Danny Rees flew Coast Guard helicopter 6507 of Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans to the Slidell airport to work with the Louisiana Search and Rescue (LASAR) Dog Team on helicopter operations in the event the two units would ever need to work together on a search and rescue case.

Since its inception in 1989 the Louisiana Search and Rescue Dog Team has participated in over 380 searches in various states to include Arizona, Louisiana, North Carolina, Texas, and Oklahoma. Some of their more prominent cases include the Riverwalk Mall disaster in New Orleans, the Amtrak disaster on the Chickasaw River in Alabama, the kidnapping of Lisa Bruno, the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, and the Baton Rouge serial killer case. Currently they have approximately 35 dogs enrolled with handlers.

Michael Richardson and his dog Axle learning how to sit in the rescue basket. - Photo by Evie Lynn

The team is affiliated with the National Association for Search and Rescue, Inc. (NASAR) and has strict guidelines that members follow to ensure that handlers and dog are fully prepared to properly respond to any case they are assigned. Dee Wild who is in charge of training said this is the only NASAR certified team in Louisiana. She pointed out that their work with NASAR has ensured that each member is a licensed Ham radio operator and has extensive training in the ground techniques of SAR including use of maps, orienteering, and the effects of weather on a search. The dedication of each team member and his or her dog shows in the excellent behavior and attentiveness to training of each and every team member.

Upon arrival at the Slidell airport, the crew was introduced to 14 dogs and their handlers. The training started off with an orientation for the dogs and their handlers. An overview was given outlining survival equipment onboard, basic hoisting procedures, and crew expectations during flight. Following the briefs, each handler and dog stepped into the helicopter while it was shut down and sat in the position they would ride in later that morning, familiarizing themselves with seat belt operation and egress points. Then each handler and dog had a chance for a dry run climbing into the rescue basket while it sat on the ground outside of the helicopter. Some handlers even had the chance to exhibit their creativity getting themselves and a large dog complete with long tail into the basket simultaneously!

Once every person had experienced a dry run, the crew took each handler and their dog for a short flight around the Slidell airport with each getting experience crawling into the basket and getting hoisted out onto the ground following landing. Overall it was a very productive morning providing valuable training to the Louisiana SAR Dog team and a great opportunity for the Coast Guard to spend time with some well-behaved dogs!

If you would like to find more information on the LASAR Dog team visit their website at www.lasardogs.org

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