The mission was carried out during the night by an HH-139B helicopter of the 85th SAR (Search and Rescue) Centre of Pratica di Mare

The rescue of two hikers stranded in the Maiella area, in Abruzzo, by a crew from the 15th Wing of the Italian Air Force, stationed in Pratica di Mare, was completed this morning at around five o'clock.

At the request of the National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps (CNSAS), the crew of the 85th SAR (Search and Rescue) Centre, on alert status with an HH-139B helicopter, had received a mission order during the night from the Operations Room of the Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) of the Aerospace Operations Command in Poggio Renatico (FE).

The two hikers had become stuck above 2,500 m, in an inaccessible spot on Mount Amaro, in the Maiella National Park, unable to return to the valley due to the darkness, and not equipped to face harsh weather conditions.

Arriving at the scene, using NVG (Night Vision Goggle) night vision devices, the Italian Air Force crew was able to identify an optimal landing zone, allowing the air rescue specialist to disembark. He reached the hikers on foot and, after checking their condition, led them to the helicopter. The two men showed signs of mild hypothermia but were conscious, and once brought back down to the valley, they were transported to Fara San Martino, where they were handed over to an ambulance sent in the meantime by the operators of the Chieti-Pescara 118 emergency dispatch centre for a medical evaluation, which concluded with the two young men returning home independently.

The 15th Wing guarantees, 24 hours a day, every single day of the year, the search and rescue of flight crews in distress, while also contributing to public utility activities such as the search for missing persons at sea or in the mountains, emergency medical transport of patients in imminent danger of life and the rescue of severely traumatised individuals, operating even in complex weather conditions, both by day and by night. Since its establishment to date, the crews of the 15th Wing have saved thousands of lives in danger, while in summer they also carry out Forest Firefighting (AIB) activities as part of the assets provided by Defence for this campaign. Reporting to the 15th Wing in Cervia, in addition to the 85th SAR Centre in Pratica di Mare, are the 80th SAR Centre in Decimomannu (Cagliari), the 82nd SAR Centre in Trapani, the 84th SAR Centre in Gioia del Colle (Bari) and the 83rd SAR Squadron, located right in Cervia, all deployed across the national territory.

The Italian Air Force's flight units are capable of transporting patients, organs, medical teams, and ambulances, even in complex weather conditions. Hundreds of flight hours are carried out each year for these types of operations, not only by the helicopters of the 15th Wing of Cervia but also by the aircraft of the 31st Wing of Ciampino, the 14th Wing of Pratica di Mare, and the 46th Air Brigade of Pisa.