CSAR

Military abbreviation · Military Term

CSAR
Stands forCombat search and rescue
CategoriesMilitary

CSAR stands for Combat search and rescue, a military term abbreviation.

Missions to locate and recover isolated personnel, especially downed aircrew, in hostile territory, using specialized helicopters, aircraft and pararescue teams. Speed matters because enemy forces may also be searching for the downed crew.

Example: CSAR helicopters launched within minutes of the pilot's emergency beacon activating.

Usage notes

The Air Force's HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters and pararescuemen are dedicated to the mission. The "Jolly Green" nickname comes from the rescue helicopters of the Vietnam War. Pronounced "SEE-sar."

More military term abbreviations

  • CONOP – Concept of operations
  • CONUS – Continental United States
  • COP – Combat outpost
  • CP – Command post
  • CQ – Charge of quarters
  • CQB – Close-quarters battle
  • CT – Counterterrorism
  • CUI – Controlled unclassified information
  • CZTE – Combat Zone Tax Exclusion
  • DA – Direct action
  • DD – Dishonorable discharge
  • DEERS – Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System

See all 248 military term abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.