The rescue in the rugged area was carried out using the winch and in collaboration with the Sicilian Alpine and Speleological Rescue Team.

It concluded successfully a rescue operation for the benefit of a man taken ill during a walk on the’Marettimo island, part of the archipelago of Egadi, in the province of Trapani.

The alert was raised via the Palermo-Trapani 118 Operations Centre, which activated the Sicilian Alpine and Speleological Rescue Organisation.

Considering the rugged terrain and isolated location, the SASS requested the support of the Italian Air Force, which through the Aerospace Operations Command ordered the deployment of a HH-139B helicopter of the’82° SAR Centre del 15th Wing, which took off from Trapani-Birgi Airport at 1.10 pm.

After picking up an Alpine and Speleological Rescue technician from SASS in Castellammare del Golfo, the crew — made up of two pilots, a flight operator and a rescue swimmer — He headed with the utmost urgency towards the island, where the hiker's position was immediately located.

Having carried out the rescue using the helicopter winch to hoist the man taken ill on board, the Italian Air Force crew then headed towards Trapani hospital, where they entrusted the patient to the care of the medical staff at the 118. Once the SASS personnel had been taken back to Castellammare del Golfo, the helicopter then returned to its base in Trapani-Birgi to resume normal operations readiness SRR.

The operation took place thanks to the prompt coordination between the Italian Air Force and the Sicilian Alpine and Speleological Rescue, confirming the effectiveness of cooperation in the most difficult contexts.

The’82° Trapani SAR Centre It depends 15th Air Wing of Cervia which guarantees, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the search and rescue of aircrews in distress, also contributing to public utility activities such as searching for missing persons at sea or in mountains, emergency medical transport of patients in imminent danger of losing their lives and rescue of seriously injured individuals, operating also in complex meteorological conditions.

Since its establishment to the present day, the crews of the 15th Wing have saved thousands of lives in danger. Since 2018 the Unit has also acquired the capability AIB (Forest Fire Prevention) contributing to the prevention and fighting of fires throughout the national territory as part of the inter-agency force deployed by the Defence.