Kuwaiti trainees also participated in the sea pilot and crew recovery exercise held at the Torre a Mare Survival Centre. The exercise was aimed at theoretical and practical training in the procedures for recovering pilots and flight crews ejected into water following an emergency aircraft abandonment.
The exercise was preceded by a briefing during which Captain Antonio Leucci, a qualified “sea survival” pilot instructor from the 61st Wing of Lecce, and a SAR rescuer from the 84th SAR Centre, not only explained and consolidated the technical and procedural survival knowledge to be followed to overcome the dangers of the aquatic environment, but also delved into the issues related to the use of equipment and safety procedures to be implemented during rescue and water trials. Some first aid concepts necessary to help any injured individuals immediately after an accident, pending the arrival of medical assistance, were also summarised by a Medical Officer from the Bari Palese military infirmary.
For the first time, three pilot trainees of Kuwaiti nationality, currently undergoing instruction at Galatina Airport, participated in the activity, which was conducted in coordination with the Port Authority of Bari and with the assistance of an HH-139A helicopter from the 84th SAR (Search and Rescue) Centre of Gioia del Colle (BA), along with personnel from the Air Force Schools Command/3rd RA. The young foreign pilots will remain at the 61st Wing for approximately 16 months, along with other Singaporean pilots and Greek, Austrian and French instructors, confirming the international character of the Italian flying school.
Flight crews from the 61st Wing also participated in the activity, along with helicopter crews from the Carabinieri, the Guardia di Finanza, and the State Police of Bari. The success of the event was further contributed to by the 36th Wing, which provided support in terms of personnel and equipment. The shipwreck recovery exercise demonstrates the Italian Air Force's ongoing commitment to training activities, aimed at optimising the professionalism of its personnel in order to face all assigned missions. Indeed, the integration of air, naval, and land assets allows operators to be trained for public utility activities as well, such as the search for missing persons at sea or in the mountains, the emergency transport of patients in life-threatening danger, and the rescue of seriously injured individuals.
