Definition

Noun: - An organized operation, typically involving specialized personnel and equipment, whose primary purpose is to locate and safely retrieve individuals who are lost, in distress, or in imminent danger. The mission integrates the tasks of searching for the subjects and then executing their rescue.

Usage

This term is used to describe official, coordinated efforts, often by military, coast guard, or emergency service teams. - The operation is formally initiated and managed. - It implies a specific, urgent objective to find and save people. - It is often modified by the location or context (e.g., maritime search and rescue mission, alpine search and rescue mission).

Examples

• The coast guard launched a search and rescue mission after the distress signal was received.
• The successful search and rescue mission in the mountains saved all three hikers.
• Due to the severe weather, the search and rescue mission had to be suspended at nightfall.

Advanced Usage

• "to mount/launch a search and rescue mission": To organize and begin such an operation.
  • Authorities immediately mounted a search and rescue mission for the missing aircraft.
• "to be on a search and rescue mission": Describes the active state of participating in the operation.
  • The helicopter crew was on a search and rescue mission for over twelve hours.

Variants and Related Words

• Search and Rescue (SAR): Often used as a compound adjective or as the name for the overall capability/unit.
  • SAR teams are on high alert during the storm season.
  • He works in search and rescue.
• Rescue Mission: A broader term that may not explicitly include the "search" component.
• Recovery Mission: An operation focused on retrieving persons or bodies, often when survival is no longer expected. This is distinct from a .

Synonyms

• SAR Operation: A more technical synonym.
• Life-saving Mission: Emphasizes the purpose but is less specific.

Related Phrases

• "to call off/stand down a search and rescue mission": To terminate the operation, often when survivors are found or the effort is deemed futile.
  • They had to call off the search and rescue mission after five days with no leads.

Noun

1. a rescue mission to search for survivors and to rescue them