SAR College
2026 MARSAR
Mid-Atlantic Region
The Mid-Atlantic Region Search and Rescue College (MARSAR) Registration is OPEN!
MARSAR will once again be held at Ft Pickett, Blackstone, Virginia April 24 – 26. The college is broken into two major sections, Air and Ground. We are offering an array of qualification courses for Emergency Services.
Registration for attendance at MARSAR this year will be through Registration Zone.
Registration Link: https://www.capnhq.gov/CAP.Experiences.Web/Registration/RegistrationDetails?EventID=11467
Key Information:
Where: Fort Barfoot Military Reservation - W Entrance Rd, Blackstone, VA 23824
Blackstone Army Airfield / KBKT - 49 Dominy Corner Road, Blackstone, VA
When: April 24-26. Arrival time begins Friday 24 April at 1200 hrs and departures will begin at 1200 hrs on Sunday 26 April.
Registration Options & Cost: Price is all inclusive for the entire weekend event.
Forms Required:
Cadets:
- CAPF 6080 Cadet Activity Permission Slip
- CAPF 160 Health History
- CAPF 161 Emergency Information Form
- CAPF 163 Permission for Provision of Minor Cadet Over-The-Counter Medication
To ease the completion of the required documents and to ease processing, the required forms have been combined into a single document attached to the registration email.
Seniors:
- CAPF 160 Health History
- CAPF 161 Emergency Information Form
Since the original announcement we have added three more qualifications we can work on.
1. Radio Operator - This track will focus on Mission Radio Operator (MRO) tasks usually performed at a mission base. It will include training and hands-on use of ReadyOp in a base operation and use of the communications log and status board in WMIRS. We will also review the upcoming changes from the MRO to Radio Operator (RADO). Students should at a minimum have completed the F&P tasks for the MRO and be in trainee status.
2. Communications Leader - This task will focus on planning and setting up communications for a mission. Emphasis will be training and hands-on experience with emerging technologies and equipment that are less frequently used such as Tactical Repeaters, Rapid Deployable HF stations, and use of ALE and Starlink. Discussion on basic troubleshooting and solution for the upcoming problems. We will also review the coming changes from CUL to Communications Unit Leader (COML). Student should at a minimum have commander approval and be in trainee status
3. Ground Branch Director - This task will focus on the management of ground teams being used during a mission. This will include coordination with Air Operations, search criteria and locations. Students should have the F&P completed with approval of their commander and be in student status.
To complete your registration, you will need to register for both the main MARSAR event, and then the appropriate sub-event based on your billeting preference:
- Ground – tent billeting in the field (Cost $75.00)
- Air/IC/Staff – barracks billeting (Cost $75.00)
- Air/IC/Staff – single room billeting (Cost $175)
As always, single room billeting is limited and will be filled in the order registrations are received.
Those attending to participate in the Air Operations will select the session they wish to attend. This year the following sessions will be offered:
- Mission Scanner
- Mission Observer
- Mission Pilot
- sUAS
- Airborne Photographer
- Flight Line Marshalling
- Air Operations Branch Director
Those attending Group Operations will be receiving further information, but the courses do include GTM 1-3 and GTL.
What is included?
- All Meals starting Friday Dinner and ending Sunday Breakfast
- Lodging at either Fort Barfoot Base or in the field (Ground School)
- MARSAR T-Shirt and patch
- All training and materials required by instructor to execute training plan for your school.
- Ability to network across region with members and gather experience and training.
If you have questions or need additional information, please don’t hesitate to contact:
Director: Col Dean Gould, dgould@mar.cap.gov
Air Ops: Lt Col Ritch Judy, 156598@wvwg.cap.gov
Ground Ops: Capt Casey Jacobson, 493345@vawg.cap.gov
Communications: Lt Col John Powers, john.powers@vawg.cap.gov
UAS: Lt Col Kevin Bollino, Kevin.bollino@mar.cap.gov
Admin: Capt Michele Bell, mbell@md.cap.gov
