Very interesting story. Many mariners here will recall the story about the loss of the Marine Electric and how the Navy had rescue swimmers but the CG didn’t. This story is how the Air Force used CG pilots experience with SAR.
… the commitment of US forces to the combat theater created a severe shortage of Albatross and helicopter pilots. Transferring fixed-wing pilots to rotary-wing operations helped fill the gap, but more was needed, especially since new helicopter pilots were short on experience. USAF Air Rescue officials turned to their coast guard counterparts for assistance, specifically suggesting a pilot exchange program.