A joint search and rescue (SAR) exercise, titled “CYPUSA-02/16” was conducted on Saturday morning, near the coast of Cyprus, with the participation of SAR units and personnel from the Republic of Cyprus and the United States of America.
A U.S. Navy Command and Control ship and helicopters of Cyprus, took part in the aeronautical SAR exercise under the full operational control and coordination of the Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) Larnaca, in close cooperation with the USS Navy HQ in Europe, a press release said on Saturday.
The scenario dealt with a simulated “maritime accident” in which the Cyprus National SAR Plan “NEARCHOS” was immediately implemented by the JRCC Larnaca.
“During the exercise, a search and rescue operation was conducted by helicopters of the Airforce Command/460 SAR Squadron rescuing persons in the distress. Also, deck landing procedures were conducted on board the USS Stout by the helicopters for the evacuation of the rescued persons. Furthermore, Search and rescue operations were executed by the vessels of the Port and Marine Police and the USS Destroyer”, a press release said.
This was the second exercise on SAR matters, in 2016, between the JRCC Larnaca (which represents the SAR system of the Republic of Cyprus) and the U.S. Navy.