A MICCD helicopter intervenes to rescue an Iberian mariner. Due to the significant distance from the coast, well beyond the maximum range of Maltese rotorcraft assets, RCC Malta requested the intervention of an HH212 (HH: Hospital Helicopter) of the Italian military mission for the MEDEVAC (medical evacuation) medical evacuationplanning a point of Meeting where to carry out the patient's recovery as soon as possible.
The helicopter, with 5 crew members on board, took off from Malta International Airport, heading towards the Spanish oil tanker, reached after about an hour's flight about 100 miles east of the Maltese archipelago.
The operations to recover the person were carried out rapidly, also aided by the excellent weather conditions and, once the patient was stabilised on board, the aircraft returned to the apron of the’Air Wing of the Armed Forces of Malta, where the mission concluded successfully with the patient being handed over to the attending medical personnel. The S.A.R. section of the Italian Defence Cooperation Mission operates with personnel from the Italian Air Force and with mixed Italian-Maltese crews, collaborating with the Maltese Government in Search and Rescue services. The service is guaranteed with 24/7 readiness with the two HH 212 helicopters assigned to the Mission, operating even in the most difficult weather conditions.
