INTERNATIONAL
RESCUE
SYMPOSIUM
I R S 2 0 2 6
13 – 18 July 2026
Honolulu, Hawai’i
R E S C U E • I N T E R O P E R A B I L I T Y • P A R T N E R S H I P
Sharing rescue methods, strengthening interoperability, and reducing time to locate and recover people on land or at sea.
ABOUT IRS
The International Rescue Symposium brings together elite rescue professionals from across the Indo-Pacific to share tactics, build partnerships, and advance interoperability in personnel recovery.
This inaugural event combines live rescue demonstrations, professional knowledge exchange, and multinational team challenges — forging enduring bonds between the world’s premier rescue forces.
SYMPOSIUM AIMS
Humanitarian disaster response operations
▸ Share Rescue Methods
Exchange best practices in SAR, combat recovery, and PR across diverse environments
▸ Strengthen Interoperability
Build common procedures and comms frameworks for multinational rescue ops
▸ Reduce Recovery Time
Improve speed in locating and recovering personnel on land and at sea
▸ Build Partnerships
Forge professional relationships among elite rescue forces across the Pacific
PARTICIPATING NATIONS
● Australia
● Brunei
● Canada
● Japan
● Philippines
● Republic of Korea
● Singapore
● Taiwan
● Malaysia
● Mongolia
● New Zealand
● Palau
● Thailand
● United States
● Vietnam
LOCATION:
HONOLULU, HAWAII
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam & Waikiki Conference Venue
Capabilities Exercise (CAPEX) offshore Waikiki, viewable from the hotel and adjacent beach.
EVENT SCHEDULE
DAYS 1–2 — MONDAY–TUESDAY, 13–14 JULY
Symposium at Waikiki Beach Marriott
Opening remarks, partner-nation introductions, capabilities and TTP, exchange briefs, and partner-nation working sessions.
0800–1600 daily.
DAY 3 — WEDNESDAY, 15 JULY
Capabilities Exercise (CAPEX)
US elements conduct a CAPEX offshore Waikiki demonstrating standard operational equipment and TTPs. Viewable from the hotel and adjacent beach.
Note: CAPEX participation is US only; partner nations observe.
DAY 4 — THURSDAY, 16 JULY
Symposium at Waikiki Beach Marriott
Static equipment displays, partner equipment familiarization, and follow-on briefs. 0800–1600.
DAY 5 — FRIDAY, 17 JULY
Monster Mash Team Competition
Mixed US / partner-nation teams formed on-site rotate through four events near the hotel: medical exercise, patient packaging and movement (SKEDCO), rescue swim, and mechanical advantage system build.
DAY 6 — SATURDAY, 18 JULY
Cultural Day (Optional)
Optional cultural activities exploring the island of Oahu.
Travel Window: 12 Jul (arrival) — 19 Jul (departure)
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KEY THEMES
PERSONNEL RECOVERY
Tactical and operational approaches to locating, supporting, and recovering isolated personnel in contested and permissive environments.
COMBAT SEARCH & RESCUE
Lessons learned and evolving TTPs in CSAR across maritime, jungle, and urban terrain. Cave rescue operations
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
Bridging military rescue capabilities with disaster response and HADR. Rescue forces as first responders in regional natural disasters.
MARITIME OPERATIONS
Water insertion, recovery, and small-boat ops in the Pacific — open ocean to littoral zone.
EQUIPMENT & TECHNOLOGY
Displays and discussions on the latest rescue equipment, medical capabilities, and emerging tech.
Open to all rescue specialties:
Pararescue • Combat Rescue Officers
Maritime SAR • Mountain Rescue
Rotary-Wing Rescue • Technical Rescue
REQUESTED PARTICIPANTS
Each nation: 5 personnel
• 1 Team Lead — senior NCO, WO, or officer with operational rescue authority
• 4 Operational Rescue Professionals — current SAR/CSAR/PR practitioners
TRAVEL NOTE
Nominees should travel with appropriate personal rescue equipment.
REGISTER
Scan the QR code to register via Cvent (all attendees, US and partner nations).
CONTACT & RSVP
POINT OF CONTACT
CMSgt Sean McBride
PACAF A3/11
DSN: 315-447-6248 | COMM: +1 (808) 789-6248
EMAIL: sean.mcbride.6@us.af.mil