Cyprus and Greece conduct joint search-and-rescue exercise
Cyprus and Greece conducted a joint search-and-rescue exercise in the eastern Mediterranean. The maneuvers, codenamed Salamis-03/26, took place in the Republic of Cyprus' search-and-rescue area of responsibility, Cyprus Mail reports, citing the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre.
Exercise participants
The exercise involved the Greek frigates Nikiforos Fokas and Hydra. Cyprus was represented by the National Guard Naval Command patrol vessel Ioannidis and a helicopter from the National Guard's 460th Search and Rescue Squadron.
A helicopter from the police aviation unit, as well as medical personnel from the ambulance service's specialized MEDEVAC medical evacuation team, were also involved.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Coordination and purpose
The exercise was coordinated by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Larnaca in cooperation with the Hellenic Navy General Staff. According to the centre, the maneuvers were conducted under a bilateral Cyprus-Greece agreement on search and rescue. Their purpose was to improve the provision of search-and-rescue services in the eastern Mediterranean.
The frigate Nikiforos Fokas replaced Elli after the latter completed a nearly 100-day deployment as part of Greece's contribution to Cyprus' defense following a drone strike on the British base at Akrotiri.
