PREDATOR IDENTIFIED TWO VESSELS

The sightings took place near the island of Lampedusa as part of Operation “Mare Mostrum”. The Predator B, always ensuring surveillance of the stretch of sea, followed the vessels in order to provide real-time video images of the vessels using its on-board sensors.
The images acquired, combined with the information provided by the flight crew, pilots and sensor operators, as well as the support “intelligence” personnel, allowed the Supreme Command of the “Mare Nostrum” operation to assess the situation and decide which ship of the rescue vessel to send to provide first aid to the migrants.
After the arrival of the Navy ships, the Predator continued its transit activity in the assigned search area.
Since October 2013, the 32nd Squadron of Amendola has been participating with its “Predator” Remotely Piloted Aircraft (A.P.R.) in the humanitarian operation “Mare Nostrum”, operating for over 350 flight hours and contributing to the surveillance of the areas of the Mediterranean Sea affected by the traffic of migrants coming from the African coasts. Video clip created by Predator RAI2 TG2 of 09.04.2014 at 13:00 TG LA7 of April 9, 2014 at 14:00