The intervention of an HH-139A from the 82nd SAR (Search & Rescue) Center of Trapani at the request of CNSAS Sicily
An air rescue operation was carried out late yesterday by an HH-139A helicopter of the 82nd SAR (Search and Rescue) Center of the Italian Air Force based at the Trapani base. Upon returning from another search mission, the helicopter intervened to recover and assist a woman with a suspected leg fracture.
The Air Operations Command of Poggio Renatico (Ferrara), at the request of CNSAS Sicilia, immediately ordered the intervention of the helicopter that was returning from an operational rescue mission that took place in the afternoon.
Upon arriving on the island of Marettimo, an air ambulance, despite the area being rugged and near a cliff, was lowered near the woman, who had already been stabilized by the local doctor; therefore, she was boarded via the winch and transported to the hospital of Sant’Antonio Abate in Trapani.
The operation ended at 22:30 local time with the return to the military airport of Trapani, where the helicopter resumed its operational readiness service.
The 15th Wing of the Air Force guarantees, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, without interruption, the search and rescue of flight crews in distress, also contributing to public utility activities such as the search for missing persons at sea or in mountains, the emergency medical transport of patients in imminent danger of life, and the rescue of severely traumatised individuals, operating even in extreme weather conditions.
From its establishment to the present day, crews of the 15th Wing have saved over 7,800 lives. Since 2018, the Department has acquired AIB (Wildfire Fighting) capability, contributing to the prevention and fighting of fires throughout the national territory as part of the joint task force deployed by the Defence.
