The office of air search and rescue may, upon direction of the adjutant general, fully cooperate or contract with any department or agency of the state of Missouri, or with the United States government, or any department or agency thereof, or with any public or private hospital, for the purposes of providing communications, rescue work, mercy missions, aerial observations, or any other functions within the scope of the activity of the air search and rescue, and may encourage the development of aeronautical resources of the state and aid in an educational program related to aviation.