In the early afternoon of today, an HH-139B helicopter from the 82nd SAR (Search and Rescue) Center of the Air Force took off from the Trapani base to recover and rescue a cruise ship, sailing about forty miles off the coast of Mazara del Vallo, a 79-year-old English woman in imminent danger of her life due to an illness.
The Aerospace Operations Command of Poggio Renatico (Ferrara), at the request of the 12th MRSC (Maritime Rescue Sub Centre) of Palermo, therefore ordered the immediate take-off of the helicopter from the military base of Trapani Birgi, one of the search and rescue centres. with rotary wing assets ready to intervene in this type of emergency.
After reaching the ship, an air rescuer lowered himself onto the deck of the vessel with the winch and, after securing the woman on a stretcher, proceeded with her recovery. On board the helicopter, in addition to the crew – a specialized team made up of pilots, on-board operator and the air rescuer himself – there was also a doctor and a nurse from the Sant’Antonio Hospital in Trapani, where the patient was transferred to ambulance after returning to the Trapani base.
The 15th Wing of the Air Force guarantees, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, without interruption, the search and rescue of flight crews in difficulty, also contributing to public utility activities such as research of those missing at sea or in the mountains, the emergency medical transport of patients in imminent danger of life and the rescue of seriously traumatized patients, also operating in extreme weather conditions.
From its establishment to today, the crews of the 15th Wing have saved more than 7,500 people in danger of their lives. Since 2018, the Department has acquired the AIB (Forest Firefighting) capability, contributing to the prevention and fight against fires throughout the national territory as part of the joint force device implemented by the Defense.
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