An HH-139B helicopter from the 82nd SAR (Search and Rescue) Center of the Air Force saved the life of a 24-year-old Greek seafarer who was on board an oil tanker flying the Liberian flag at off Trapani.
On the afternoon of Monday 29 April, the 12th MRSC (Maritime Rescue Sub Center) of Palermo raised the alarm for the young seafarer who needed to be urgently transferred to hospital. The Aerospace Operations Command of Poggio Renatico (Ferrara) immediately arranged for an HH-139B helicopter to take off from Trapani.
The helicopter crew, made up of pilots, on-board operator and air rescuer, reached the tanker Samsara after having taken on board a doctor, a nurse and some medical material at the Sant’Antonio Abate Hospital in Trapani. The air rescuer, with the help of the winch, recovered the seafarer and transported him to the hospital for treatment.
The rescue operation ended successfully and the seafarer was admitted to hospital in time to receive the necessary treatment. The 15th Wing of the Air Force, of which the 82nd SAR Center is part, guarantees 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the search and rescue of people in difficulty, both at sea and in the mountains. Since the establishment of the unit, the crews of the 15th Wing have saved more than 7,500 lives.
The Trapani episode once again demonstrates the Air Force’s constant commitment to guaranteeing the safety of citizens and providing assistance to those in need, even in difficult conditions. The use of helicopters like the HH-139B allows you to quickly reach people in danger even in remote areas or in adverse weather conditions, helping to save human lives.
