This presentation draws on experience at the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC), where the speaker served in a tri-hatted role as Senior Enlisted Leader, acting First Sergeant, and Senior SAR Controller. In this position, she supported national-level inland search and rescue operations across the continental United States and worked with military, civilian, and volunteer partners in a 24/7 operational environment. The session examines how SAR cases progress from an initial signal to coordinated action amid uncertainty. It shows how teams validate information, make decisions, and coordinate across multiple organizations. It also highlights the role of leadership and personnel management in sustaining real-time operations. The presentation focuses on common friction points in coordination, the balance between technology and human judgment, and the importance of disciplined processes in time-critical environments. It combines leadership and operational experience to offer practical lessons applicable across international SAR systems, particularly for those working in complex, multi-agency environments where teams must act quickly with imperfect information.