Israel's Navy, Air Force hold Joint Exercise
The IAF and IDF Navy held a mutual Air-Sea Rescue (ASR) training exercise, rehearsing helicopter extraction of injured individuals from naval vessels
IsraelDefense
| 22/02/2017
Photo: IAF Archive
This week, the Israeli Air Force and the IDF Navy held a mutual Air-Sea Rescue (ASR) training exercise. The two forces rehearsed the evacuation of an injured civilian from naval vessels by the “Defenders of the West” Squadron, which operates the “Atalef” helicopter (AS-565 Panther).
“The extraction is performed via aircraft and the injured individual is evacuated to a naval vessel or to shore in accordance with the scenario," explained Lt. Omer, a pilot from the “Defenders of the West” Squadron. “We arrive when he is already prepared for evacuation and our role is to get him on the helicopter," emphasized Maj. Erez, a pilot from the squadron. “The crew chief in the cargo hold is responsible for hoisting the wounded from the boat. He lowers the harness from the helicopter and the naval combatants connect the stretcher directly to the helicopter."
“Full cooperation between the helicopter pilots, the crew Chief and the boat’s crew is obligatory," stated Maj. Erez. “The big challenge is maintaining the helicopter’s steadiness and height in relation to the boat. At night it becomes even more complex because visibility is low and yet the need for precision rises."
“Hovering is difficult because there is no real reference point you can direct the helicopter in relation to. This mission is characterized by complex flying alongside synchronization with the combatants," added Lt. Omer. “This is a mission we need to stay fit for with the Navy."
This training exercise is a part of a series of mutual exercises between the squadron and the Navy, the foundation of their tight and continuous cooperation. As the helicopter’s blue hue suggests, the “Defenders of the West” Squadron is the IAF’s Naval Patrol Squadron. Most of its activity deals with aerial assistance for the navy and its helicopters are equipped with appropriate radars for flying over the sea. In addition, the squadron can take off from and land on Navy Missile Boats and perform various missions such as aerial assistance, transport, and extraction. These capabilities allow the squadron to provide the Navy with a comprehensive naval image.
This article was originally published on the IAF website.
The IAF and IDF Navy held a mutual Air-Sea Rescue (ASR) training exercise, rehearsing helicopter extraction of injured individuals from naval vessels
Photo: IAF Archive
This week, the Israeli Air Force and the IDF Navy held a mutual Air-Sea Rescue (ASR) training exercise. The two forces rehearsed the evacuation of an injured civilian from naval vessels by the “Defenders of the West” Squadron, which operates the “Atalef” helicopter (AS-565 Panther).
“The extraction is performed via aircraft and the injured individual is evacuated to a naval vessel or to shore in accordance with the scenario," explained Lt. Omer, a pilot from the “Defenders of the West” Squadron. “We arrive when he is already prepared for evacuation and our role is to get him on the helicopter," emphasized Maj. Erez, a pilot from the squadron. “The crew chief in the cargo hold is responsible for hoisting the wounded from the boat. He lowers the harness from the helicopter and the naval combatants connect the stretcher directly to the helicopter."
“Full cooperation between the helicopter pilots, the crew Chief and the boat’s crew is obligatory," stated Maj. Erez. “The big challenge is maintaining the helicopter’s steadiness and height in relation to the boat. At night it becomes even more complex because visibility is low and yet the need for precision rises."
“Hovering is difficult because there is no real reference point you can direct the helicopter in relation to. This mission is characterized by complex flying alongside synchronization with the combatants," added Lt. Omer. “This is a mission we need to stay fit for with the Navy."
This training exercise is a part of a series of mutual exercises between the squadron and the Navy, the foundation of their tight and continuous cooperation. As the helicopter’s blue hue suggests, the “Defenders of the West” Squadron is the IAF’s Naval Patrol Squadron. Most of its activity deals with aerial assistance for the navy and its helicopters are equipped with appropriate radars for flying over the sea. In addition, the squadron can take off from and land on Navy Missile Boats and perform various missions such as aerial assistance, transport, and extraction. These capabilities allow the squadron to provide the Navy with a comprehensive naval image.
This article was originally published on the IAF website.
