On Tuesday 9th August, an AB-212 helicopter from the 670th SAR Squadron based at Decimomannu rescued eight shipwreck survivors in Sardinia. The family's misfortune began the afternoon before, when strong waves pushed their dinghy, with which they had reached the Isola dei Meli, out to sea. After spending the night adrift, the alarm was raised the following morning. The crew of the 670th Squadron was alerted by the Air Operations Command (COA) at Poggio Renatico (Ferrara) at 9:16 AM, after a Coast Guard patrol boat, which had initially been dispatched to provide assistance, was unable to approach the islet due to treacherous sea conditions. In less than 20 minutes, the AB-212 crew was already en route to the affected area and, after locating the stranded individuals, recovered them in two separate approaches: the first to rescue the newborn and three adults, the second for the remaining four. The operation concluded successfully at 10:16 AM with the helicopter's return to base.
An ambulance from the “118” emergency service, along with a medical team, was waiting for those involved at the military airport of Decimomannu. The rescuers – the six-month-old baby was immediately made the crew's mascot – warmly thanked the crew who participated in the rescue: the two pilots, Captain Mario Bavagnoli and Lieutenant Marco Zanoni, the onboard operator, First Class Marshal Ruggero Meloni, and the air rescue technician, First Class Marshal Stefano Zanotelli.
