08/04/2026
"Maintain Life, Maintain Honor, Return…"
Today, Airmen from the 166th Airlift Wing, Delaware Air National Guard, strengthened joint search and rescue readiness during Exercise Castaway 26-6.
Flying aboard a C-130, flight nurses, medical technicians, flight commander and his aircrew and mission support personnel conducted an airdrop of supplies before transitioning to a simulated personnel recovery mission, working alongside the 436th Airlift Wing, Dover Air Force Base, and the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, to locate and recover two simulated survivors found at sea.
Exercise Castaway exists because Earth's oceans cover approximately 139 million square miles, with 71% of the planet covered by water.
The Pacific Ocean alone covers nearly one-third of Earth's surface and contains roughly 25,000 islands, highlighting the vast distances where aircrews or mariners can become isolated following an emergency.
This exercise enhanced interoperability between our partners while advancing search and rescue tactics, techniques and procedures, ensuring our Airmen remain ready to respond whenever and wherever they are needed.
