An Italian Air Force HH-3F transported a man who had suffered a heart attack. The transport, requested by the Prefecture of Latina, was authorised by the Poggio Renatico (Ferrara) Air Operations Command, which ordered the immediate activation of the HH-3F on “readiness alert”. The helicopter took off from Pratica di Mare (Rome) airport for Latina airport, where it embarked a medical team with suitable health equipment to ensure the patient the necessary assistance during transport.
Subsequently, the aircraft took off for the Lazio island, landing at the helipad of the Ponza telecommunication post. Once ground safety procedures were completed, the patient was secured to a stretcher and loaded aboard the helicopter, before taking off again for Latina airport. Upon arrival at the Pontine airfield, the patient was entrusted to the care of 118 emergency medical services for subsequent transport to hospital. The 85th Combat SAR Centre of Pratica di Mare (Rome), under the 15th Wing of the Italian Air Force based in Cervia, ensures 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the search and rescue of flight crews in difficulty, 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 life-threatening conditions and the rescue of severely traumatised individuals. Since its establishment to date, the crews of the 15th Wing have saved more than 7,000 lives in danger. The HH-3F helicopters operated by the 15th Wing of the Italian Air Force are twin-engine, amphibious aircraft with high multi-role capabilities.
