Oklahoma Task Force 1 trains with U.S. Special Operations at Camp Gruber

Members of Oklahoma Task Force One are sharpening their skills this week alongside U.S. Special Operations forces during joint training exercises at Camp Gruber.

The Tulsa Fire Department’s Helicopter Search and Rescue (HSAR) team, a key part of Task Force One, is participating in advanced drills designed to prepare both civilian and military personnel for complex, high-risk water rescues.

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Wednesday’s training included helo-casting, where rescuers jump directly from a helicopter into the water, and cave ladder operations, which simulate re-boarding an aircraft from the water using specialized ladders. Night operations are scheduled next, testing both teams’ capabilities under low-visibility and high-stress conditions.

Officials say these types of joint exercises are critical to improving coordination and readiness between urban search and rescue teams and military units during real-world emergencies.

The training is taking place at Camp Gruber, a National Guard training center near Braggs, Oklahoma.