Cyprus and Greece hold eastern Mediterranean search and rescue exercise
Cyprus and Greece conducted the Salamis-03/26 joint search and rescue exercise within the Republic’s area of responsibility.
Larnaca, Cyprus. Cyprus and Greece carried out a joint search and rescue exercise in the eastern Mediterranean on Wednesday, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) said.
The exercise, codenamed Salamis-03/26, was held within the Republic of Cyprus’ search and rescue area of responsibility.
Participating forces
The exercise involved the Greek Navy frigates Nikiforos Fokas and Hydra, the National Guard Naval Command patrol vessel Ioannidis, and a helicopter from the National Guard’s 460 Search and Rescue Squadron.
A helicopter from the police aviation unit also participated, along with medical personnel from the ambulance service’s specialist MEDEVAC team.
Coordination and purpose
The Larnaca JRCC coordinated the exercise in cooperation with the Hellenic Navy General Staff.
According to the JRCC, the exercise was conducted under the bilateral Cyprus-Greece search and rescue agreement and aimed to improve the provision of search and rescue services in the eastern Mediterranean.
Frigate deployment
The Hellenic Navy frigate Nikiforos Fokas replaced the Elli after the latter completed an almost 100-day deployment as part of Greece’s contribution to Cyprus’ defence following a drone strike on the British Base of Akrotiri.
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