The 670th Liaison and Rescue Squadron worked in synergy with other Armed Forces and Security Forces of the State of Sardinia. The exercise was divided into two distinct phases. The first, theoretical, was aimed at educating the participating personnel about the use of survival equipment, basic aquatics and rescue maneuvers, as well as the use of the emergency vest provided to the AM Departments, the emergency radio, first aid and resuscitation, as well as the acoustic and pyrotechnic signals. Information was also provided on the health aspects related to individual and group survival at sea.
The second phase, practical, was conducted in the confined waters of the Extraordinary Balneological Detachment A.M. of Poetto (CA).
As part of this exercise, aspects related to the use of emergency and survival materials provided for aircraft of the Armed Forces were discussed and explored, with particular reference to the aircraft provided to the Department, the AB.212 helicopter. The methods for climbing and descending from the air bag and/or raft were then explained, as were the rules for the recovery of personnel by an S.A.R. helicopter from the 670th Squadron using a rescue winch, and finally, the survival materials of the participating Departments.
Therefore, a forced landing of an aircraft carrier in the water was simulated, with its crew acting as a stranded person. During this phase, a helicopter from the 670th Squadron recovered the stranded people using a rescue winch, and subsequently they were airlifted to sea. The exercise concluded with the practical BLS demonstration by the participants.
Physical preparation, technical skills, but also the numerous previous experiences gained in operational rescue missions carried out by the Air Force personnel, were the ingredients that contributed to the success of the exercise. The Experimental and Standardization Department for Air Firefighting (RSSTA), as part of its institutional duties, ensures daily SAR coverage for basic flight operations and national SAR coverage through the 670th Liaison and Rescue Squadron.
An essential condition for fulfilling this mission is the constant maintenance of the training level of the flight crews, through the development of regular exercise activities and familiarization with survival procedures and materials.
