A Royal Canadian Air Force search and rescue technician has died during a training exercise near Yorkton, Sask., on Wednesday.
A tweet from the official RCAF account said Master Cpl. Alfred Barr died while training.
Officials said Barr was part of the 435 “Chinthe” Transport and Rescue Squadron in Winnipeg, which conducts air mobility and search and rescue operations.
“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,” Col. Andy Cook, 17 Wing Winnipeg Commander, said in a statement.
“Master-Corporal Barr was a valuable member of 435 Squadron’s Search and Rescue team, and he will be deeply missed.”
While no specific details about the nature of the death were released, the RCAF’s Directorate of Flight Safety will be investigating.
Federal Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan called Barr “one of Canada’s finest.”
“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 Cpl. Barr was preparing for today,” Sajjan said in a statement.
“I wish to offer my most sincere condolences to Master Cpl. Barr’s family, friends and colleagues of the search and rescue community.”