Royal Canadian Air Force Search and Rescue Technician dies in training accident

WINNIPEG – On March 8, 2017 a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Search and Rescue Technician (SAR Tech) based at 17 Wing Winnipeg died in an accident during training near Yorkton, Sask..

Master-Corporal Alfred Barr was a member of 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The RCAF’s Directorate of Flight Safety will be investigating the accident and no further information will be released about the incident while investigation is ongoing.

 “On behalf of all 17 Wing Winnipeg and the entire RCAF, I would like to express my condolences to Master-Corporal Alfred Barr’s family, friends and fellow service members. Master-Corporal Barr was a valuable member of 435 Squadron’s Search and Rescue team, and he will be deeply missed,” Colonel Andy Cook, 17 Wing Winnipeg Commander.

Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan issued the following statement on the loss of Master Corporal Alfred Barr, “It is with great sorrow that I learned today of Master Corporal Alfred Barr’s death, one of Canada’s finest Search and Rescue Technicians, during a training event.

Having had the privilege to meet with members of the Search and Rescue Community, I appreciate the risks they take, day in and day out, in fair and bad weather, to come to the aid of Canadians in peril. This is exactly what Master Corporal Barr was preparing for today.

I wish to offer my most sincere condolences to Master Corporal Barr’s family, friends and colleagues of the Search and Rescue community.”

Chief of the Defence Staff Jonathan Vance issued the following statement on the loss of Master Corporal Alfred Barr, “This afternoon it hit hard to learn of the tragic loss of Master Corporal Alfred Barr, a Search and Rescue Technician from 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron at 17 Wing Winnipeg, during a training incident near Yorkton, Saskatchewan.

I would like to offer my sincerest sympathies to Master Corporal Barr’s family and friends, as well as the Search and Rescue community during this difficult time.

Every year, our Search and Rescue Squadrons and Technicians conduct thousands of daring exercises and real-life missions to keep Canadians safe. This is not easy work. Today’s loss is a reflection of that selflessness that characterizes their profession, as told in their motto: That others may live.”