Grifone 2023: International Helicopter Rescue Exercise
0
0
The Search and Rescue (SAR) Exercise “Grifone 23” took place in Frosinone from July 3rd to July 7th, 2023, and was organized by the Italian Air Force in operational collaboration with the National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps (CNSAS) of Lazio.
A total of 11 helicopters participated in the exercise, including 2 foreign ones, which conducted approximately 48 hours of total flight time and 65 daytime and nighttime missions, simulating scenarios as realistic as possible for potential real SAR emergencies.
The various assets used included: 2 TH-500B and 1 HH-139B from the Italian Air Force, 1 NH-90 from the Army Aviation, 1 MH-90A from the Italian Navy, 1 AW-139 from the Carabinieri, 1 AW-169 and 1 AW-139 from the Guardia di Finanza, 1 AW-139 from the Polizia di Stato, and finally, 1 A-555 from the French Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace and 1 S-76 from the Spanish Ejercito del Aire y del Espacio, demonstrating the international nature of the event.
Approximately one hundred technicians and specialists were coordinated by CNSAS, which provided 16 ground teams, 3 K-9 units, and a medicalized team. They were joined by teams from the Italian Army , Italian Air Force, and the Guardia di Finanza, demonstrating great synergy among themselves and with the helicopter crews, proving their ability to operate with various equipment and adapt to diverse simulated training scenarios, such as winches, stretcher loading, team disembarkation, and search, etc.
As in any SAR Exercise, great importance was given to the Advanced Medical Post (PMA), consisting not only of medical and nursing personnel from the Italian Air Force but also Voluntary Nurses of the Italian Red Cross qualified as AASAR (Air and SAR Assistant), medical personnel from ARES 118 Lazio, and the Italian Red Cross.
A total of approximately 430 specialists and volunteers were involved in various capacities in the complex organization and preparation of the Advanced Base (PBA) at “G. Moscardini” airport, the headquarters of the 72nd Wing of the Italian Air Force.
As pointed out by the Exercise Director, Col. Giacomo Zanetti, Grifone is “an opportunity open to the entire SAR world. It serves to get to know each other better and train as a unified team, exchanging experiences, techniques, and procedures for the noble purpose of safeguarding human life.”
The helicopters, coordinated by the Italian Air Force, and the ground teams, coordinated by CNSAS Lazio, used areas of the Simbruini Mountains and the Lepini Mountains to cover all possible types of operational missions in rugged terrain, once again highlighting the competence and technical capabilities of all participants.
