A joint Search and Rescue (SAR) Exercise, titled “CYPUSA-02/15” was conducted today, near the coast of Cyprus, with the participation of SAR Units and Personnel from the Republic of Cyprus and the United States of America.
An official press release notes that the U.S. Navy Destroyer Donald Cook, naval and air units of the Republic of Cyprus took part in the Aeronautical SAR Exercise under the operational control and coordination of the Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) Larnaca, in close cooperation with the United States Navy.
The scenario dealt with a simulated “Maritime Accident” in which the Cyprus National SAR Plan “NEARCHOS” was immediately implemented by the JRCC Larnaca in order to confront the situation.
Specifically, during the exercise, a search and rescue operation was conducted by helicopters of the Air Force Command/460 SAR Squadron and the Police Aviation Unit, rescuing persons in the distress. Also, deck landing procedures were conducted on board the USS Donald Cook by the helicopters for the evacuation of the rescued persons. Furthermore, search and rescue operations were executed by the vessels of the Navy Command of the National Guard and the USS Destroyer.
It is stated that this was the second joint SAR exercise in 2015 between the JRCC Larnaca (which represents the SAR system of the Republic of Cyprus) and the U.S. Navy.
