SAR Tech of the Year Award

Sgt Geoff Tallis has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, professionalism, and dedication to the Search and Rescue Technician (SAR Tech) trade and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) as a whole. His outstanding performance and contribution over the past year make him a highly deserving candidate for the SAR Tech of the Year Award.

In the past year, Sgt Tallis willingly stepped into the critical roles of Deputy/Senior Team Leader (D/STL) and Chief Check Non-Commissioned Member (CCNCM), embracing the challenges of these leadership positions with confidence and skill. In addition, he has served as the Deputy Officer of Primary Interest (D/OPI) for the major joint exercise Chinthex 2025, ensuring its success through meticulous planning and execution.

His commitment to the advancement of the 435 Squadron’s SAR section was clearly demonstrated during the APS 2025 period. Sgt Tallis reorganized the section’s staffing structure to optimize both operational performance and member development. As the Training IC and Standards CP, he has mentored SAR Techs under training with great care, holding all members accountable to the highest standards—reflecting the importance of professional development and operational readiness. His efforts have directly enhanced both the competence and confidence of those under his leadership.

Sgt Tallis has also played a key role in equipping the section with the best possible gear, skillfully managing on-ramp funding to ensure team members have the most effective equipment available. His influence extends beyond the squadron, serving as a Para coach to train SAR Techs from across the trade—enhancing parachuting proficiency and ensuring mission safety across the entire SAR community.

At the CAF level, Sgt Tallis has made an extraordinary impact through his involvement as Deputy OPI for Chinthex in both 2025 and 2026. His coordination created opportunities to bring together units from the CAF, RCMP, and US Military, building vital interoperability and shared learning opportunities among agencies—improving joint SAR capabilities and fostering cross-agency collaboration. Furthermore, he has been the SAR Tech POC for numerous OP Lentus operations in both 2024 and 2025, playing a critical role in planning and executing evacuation flights under challenging conditions to protect Canadian citizens from harm.

As the Training IC at 435 Squadron, Sgt Tallis has expertly guided the development of SAR Techs in training, shaping not only their operational skills but also their leadership potential. His mentorship has cultivated a culture of excellence and accountability that will benefit the trade for years to come.

Sgt Tallis’s operational record reflects courage and selflessness, exemplified by his involvement in multiple OP Lentus evacuation flights. Operating under harsh conditions and extended hours, he directly contributed to the safe evacuation of numerous individuals, demonstrating the high-risk nature of SAR operations and his unwavering commitment to mission success.

His efforts in procedural development have ensured lasting improvements within the trade, working closely with the previous D/STL to create meaningful updates to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) via the Standards and training Working Group (STWG). These changes have strengthened SAR capabilities and safety measures across the force.

Through his initiative, operational excellence, mentorship, and trade-wide influence, Sgt Geoff Tallis has had a profound and positive impact on his section, the SAR Tech trade, the CAF, and the broader SAR community. He is most deserving of recognition as the SAR Tech of the Year.

WO Andy Davidson

435 Sqn STL

15 Aug 2025