You may notice a lot more helicopters flying around Lake Mendocino this weekend as search and rescue crews from across California take part in HeliOps 2026. The large-scale training runs May 15th through the 17th at the spillway and will focus on helicopter rescue operations and emergency response skills. Crews will be practicing techniques like hoisting and rescue litter loading using aircraft including Blackhawks, Coast Guard Dolphins and Cal Fire Firehawks. Mendocino County Search and Rescue says the weekend is all about preparing teams for real emergencies when every second counts.