The joint Search and Rescue Daylight Exercise “CYPUSA-03/16” was conducted on Tuesday morning near the coast of Cyprus, with the participation of units and personnel from the Republic of Cyprus and the United States of America.
According to an announcement by the Ministry of Defence, a US Destroyer, Fast Patrol Boat, Helicopters and registered nurses of the Republic of Cyprus, took part in the exercise, under the operational control and coordination of the Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) Larnaca and in close cooperation with the USS Navy HQ in Europe.
The scenario dealt with a simulated “Maritime Accident” in which the Cyprus National Search and Rescue Plan “NEARCHOS” was immediately implemented by the JRCC Larnaca.
The operation was conducted by helicopters of the Airforce Command and the Cyprus Police Aviation Unit, and included deck landing procedures by helicopters on board the USS Ramage, for the evacuation of rescued persons. More operations were executed by the vessels of the Port and Marine Police and the USS Destroyer.
This was the third exercise on Search and Rescue matters in 2016, between the JRCC Larnaca and the US Navy, the announcement concludes.