By MSgt. Bob Haskell, Alaska National Guard
Photos by Sr. Amn. Shannon Oleson, Alaska Air National Guard

It was the eighth Arctic Search and Rescue Exercise, known as ARCTIC SAREX 01, for about 500 American, Canadian and Russian military search and rescue (SAR) specialists who share a common bond in finding victims and saving lives in extreme cold and hazardous mountain conditions. Their interest is mutual because each country’s SAR forces operate in the same treacherous Northern Polar region

About 500 Canadian, Russian and American military search and rescue (SAR) personnel gathered for the multinational exercise ARCTIC SAREX 01 conducted in Alaska.

ARCTIC SAREX 01, held in September 2001 in Alaska, was characterized by a grassroots friendship and respect between the North American and Russian military personnel that has been shared by their heads of state since the deadly 11 September terrorist attacks on the United States.

U.S. President George Bush and Russian President Putin have become friends since President Putin became the first world leader to call President Bush with words of support. "That’s what a friend does, call in a time of need," said President Bush about the Russian President’s prompt expressions of sympathy and support.

However, it is soldiers and other people working together that truly make allies among nations. That made it important for the international search and rescue exercise to go on, officials believed, even if it was condensed from three days into one because of the terrorist attacks. "This training exercise is important for sustaining the level of expertise with the Canadian and Russian search and rescue people with whom our pararescue people frequently serve," said Maj. Gen. Phillip Oates, Adjutant General for the state of Alaska. "It’s also important for maintaining close ties with our Russian allies."