Quick Facts about military search-and-rescue technicians

OTTAWA – As Canadians mark Remembrance Day on Friday, they are being encouraged to remember the 13 military search-and-rescue technicians who have died in the line of duty since 1947. Here are some facts about search-and-rescue technicians, or SAR techs:

— The military has about 150 SAR techs, with 112 of them in operational roles and the remainder at the SAR tech school in Comox, B.C., and various staff positions.

— Prospective SAR techs typically have between four or five years of previous military experience and are all enlisted members (non-officers).

— Training takes about a year and includes scuba diving, parachuting and extreme weather survival.

— SAR techs are supported by the crews of the search-and-rescue helicopters and airplanes that get them where they need to go.

— Most of the 13 SAR techs killed in action were lost in plane and helicopter crashes.