Search and rescue exercise

A JOINT US-Cyprus Search and Rescue (SAR) daylight exercise, titled “CYPUSA-01/14”, will be conducted near the coast on Wednesday.
According to a press release issued by the defence ministry, rescue naval units and helicopters will take part in the aeronautical SAR exercise under the operational control and full coordination of the Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) Larnaca, in close cooperation with the 6th Fleet/Command Task Force-65 of the United States navy.
The main objective of the exercise is the planning, preparation and execution of a multinational joint SAR exercise, in order to promote personnel and rescue units capabilities, and readiness for effective response in SAR missions and other humanitarian operations within the Republic of Cyprus Search and Rescue Region (SRR), and in the Eastern Mediterranean in general.
The scenario deals with a simulated maritime accident in which the Cyprus National SAR Plan “NEARCHOS”, would be immediately implemented by the JRCC Larnaca.
Specifically, the exercise will focus on ‘man-over-board’ and “MEDEVAC” emergency drills.
This will be the second exercise in SAR scenarios this year between the JRCC Larnaca and the US navy.

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