Joint exercise
Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
British and Israeli air forces team up in massive joint rescue drill
Helicopters, ships and soldiers used in three-day exercise to improve techniques for extracting survivors from stormy waters; 'We learned a lot from them,’ says IAF commander.
Pilots, Navy and Air Force rescue fighters from the British Army completed a three-day joint exercise with their Israeli counterparts Wednesday on a scale that has not been seen in a decade.
“In the main, they focus on locating and rescuing civilians in the sea. We are also doing this on land in combat zones, under fire, for soldiers who have been wounded in enemy territory,” said the commander of the Israeli squadron, Lt. Col Gilad.
The Black Hawk helicopter squadron on the Palmachim Base hosted the Royal Navy rescue fighters who operate on the twin-engine Bell 412 helicopter from the Royal Air Force (RAF). The British squadron which participated in the drill is stationed in nearby Cyprus on a base known as Akrotiri.
Joint British and Israeli drill (צילום: דובר צה"ל)
In contrast to the rescue methods used by the IAF, which incorporates various helicopter models into the 669 Combat Search & Rescue unit, in the RAF, the rescue unit is organic with a permanent composition of rescue crews and pilots.
Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
During the exercise, the Israeli and British pilots and soldiers trained together a few kilometers from the coast. for scenarios in which they would be called upon to rescue survivors who have fallen victim to stormy weather conditions at sea.
Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
“We learned a lot from them over the last few days. They were in our helicopters and we were in their helicopters. We saw, for example, that they use rescue tactics from the side of of the ship, whereas we descend directly onto the deck,” Gilad continued in an interview with Ynet.
“They have experience … We spent the post-flight debriefings together, watched their operations, and they watched us.”
