The mission of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Air Search/Aviation Emergency Services program is to aid those who are in distress.

WSDOT Aviation is tasked by the Legislature with the responsibility of managing all Air Search and Rescue operations within the state as well as coordinating the use of aviation assets for disaster relief efforts. WSDOT accomplishes this mission by closely coordinating with all available resources and agencies, including the Washington State Patrol, Washington Emergency Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. We also use volunteer resources from Washington Air Search and Rescue, the Civil Air Patrol and county sheriff's search and rescue programs across the state.