Exercise SATER 02/2013 CONCLUDED

The joint-forces exercise, in collaboration with the National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps (CNSAS). The exercise, which simulated an aircraft accident in an alpine environment, was organised and directed by the Rescue Coordination Centre of the Air Operations Command (COA) – the Italian Air Force’s Rescue Coordination Centre based in Poggio Renatico (Ferrara) – and was carried out in collaboration with the National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps (CNSAS) for ground search and rescue operations. The exercise, led by Colonel Giovanni Franchini of the COA, began in the early afternoon with the immediate activation at Trento’s Caproni Airport of an Advanced Base Post (PBA) featuring a Mobile SAR Post, equipped with a system for monitoring search operations – the SAR Operation Manning System – and for the collection of meteorological data, which was supported by a Mobile Radio Unit and its personnel from the 1st Technical Communications Department in Milan. Subsequently, the helicopters were redeployed: an NH 500 from the 15th Wing in Cervia (RA), an AB-212 from the 670th SAR Squadron in Decimomannu (CA) and an AB-205 from the 4th Regiment of the Italian Army Aviation “ALTAIR” in Bolzano. Further operational support was provided by the 3rd Wing in Villafranca (VR) as well as by the helicopters“ home units. Medical assistance for the evacuated personnel was provided by a medical post staffed by medical and paramedical personnel from the Main Infirmary in Villafranca (VR). Flight operations began at around 6.30 pm, with the sub-teams – into which the sixty men of the CNSAS – Trentino Provincial Service, coordinated by President Adriano Alimonta, had been divided – boarding the helicopters. The helicopters, making several sorties, transported and dropped off the CNSAS men at the various designated points, where they carried out ground searches. The operations concluded after midnight with the return of the final teams. The Italian Air Force, which provides a daily search and rescue service across the country and is capable of conducting complex rescue operations with its specialised personnel in extreme weather and visibility conditions, both day and night, organises this type of exercise several times ato improve, together with the CNSAS and the other military and civilian units involved on each occasion, the synergy of their response, and to refine procedures for the planning, direction, management and execution of rescue operations following aircraft accidents in mountainous terrain. Usually, forward operating bases are set up in unprepared terrain, which is equipped within a few hours to allow helicopters to land and take off. On this occasion, given the location of the search operations, Caproni Airport in Trento was used; this is also home to the ”Gianni Caproni”, which houses the world’s oldest aeronautical museum collection and where a collaboration is underway between the Air Force General Staff and the Autonomous Province of Trento. Tgr Trentino of 20/06/2013 at 14:10