The 2nd Emergency Helicopter Battalion Achieves Initial Operational Capability for Search and Rescue

The practical exercises took place on 26th and 27th September (Photo:Army Helicopter Forces)

The evaluation has been a success (Photo:Army Helicopter Forces)

The 2nd Emergency Helicopter Battalion has just achieved Initial Operational Capability with level 1 (Optimum) for the search and rescue of missing persons in difficult to access areas and in the natural environment. The Military Disaster Relief Unit, to which the Emergency Helicopter Battalion reports functionally, has been in charge of the evaluation. The practical exercise, with two complementary exercises, was undertaken on 26th and 27th September.

The first dealt with the rescue of two people in the water with a cougar helicopter. The crew was made up of two pilots, a mechanic crewmember, a crane operator and four rescuers. The action was carried out at Embarcaderos reservoir, with harness and rigid basket systems being used to lift the boat wreck victims.

The second day began with a documentary and materiel evaluation on Base ‘Santiago’, the location of the 2nd Emergency Helicopter Battalion within military Base ‘Jaime I’. Following this, two helicopters participated in the search and rescue of missing people on difficult to access terrain.