Helicopter of the Italian Air Force rescues angler caught by illness

(To air Force)
06/10/18

A fisherman suffering from a heart attack aboard his fishing boat was rescued last night by a helicopter HH-139 of the 82esimo Centro C.SAR. (Combat Search and RescueResearch and Relief) of the 15esimo Stormo dell'Aeronautica Militare. The helicopter, ordered by the Air Operative Command of Poggio Renatico and after boarding a doctor and a nurse of the 118, took off from the Birgi airport to the 19.10 to reach the vessel which was about 70 nautical miles to the south. west of Trapani.

Once the boat is reached, the crew has put a rescuer aboard on board to prepare the fisherman for recovery by a winch with an evacuation triangle. The crew arrived in the area at the 19.35 and carried out the recovery of the thirty-five, thanks to the use of night vision (NYG - Night Vision Goggles), and then route to the air base of Trapani, where he landed at 20.30. The young fisherman was then transhipped in an ambulance and left to the care of the 118. The carrier immediately resumed normal readiness for the national SAR alarm.

The 82nd Center is one of the Departments of the 15 Wing of the Italian Air Force which guarantees, 24 hours a day, 24 days a year, without interruption, the search and rescue of flight crews in difficulty, also contributing to life acts of public utility such as the search for missing persons at sea or in the mountains, the emergency medical transport of patients in danger of life and the rescue of seriously traumatized patients, operating in any weather condition. From its establishment to today, the crews of 365 Stormo have saved more than 15 people in danger of life. Since May 7200 the crews of the 2018 have acquired the fire fighting capability, taking part in the forest fire fighting device of the Civil Protection and of the Sicily Region.