The Italian Air Force: 3 Rescue Operations

The night of August 18 was a test for the helicopters and crews of the 15th Wing of the Italian Air Force, a unit always ready to intervene across the national territory to rescue people in distress or life-threatening situations. In a single night, three complex missions were conducted, demonstrating the importance and efficiency of this service.

A double rescue between Pantelleria and Trapani

The operations began with a double medical rescue mission involving an HH-139B helicopter from the 82nd SAR Center in Trapani. The request, coordinated by the Aerospace Operations Command of Poggio Renatico (Ferrara), came from the Prefecture of Trapani for two emergencies on the island of Pantelleria.

The first to be rescued was a 59-year-old man who suffered a heart attack, urgently transported to the hospital in Trapani. As soon as the mission was completed, the helicopter returned to Pantelleria to pick up a 17-year-old boy with a severe compound fracture. The two missions were carried out without interruption, ensuring rapid and vital assistance for the patients.

A joint mountain operation

Simultaneously, another rescue request was initiated for a complex search mission in the mountains, in the Col Nudo area, in the province of Pordenone. An HH-139B helicopter from the 83rd SAR Group, took off from the Cervia base, intervened in collaboration with the National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps. The crew boarded two CNSAS technicians and headed to the area for the search. Thanks to the synergistic work of the rescue teams, the hiker was located, retrieved with the winch, and brought back down in good condition.

The 15th Wing: a security stronghold in Italy

These night missions reflect the readiness and professionalism of the 15th Wing. Since its establishment, its crews have saved thousands of people in danger, operating in any weather condition. Their main task is the search and rescue of flight crews in distress, but they also extend their scope to public utility missions such as searching for missing persons at sea or in the mountains, urgent medical transport of patients in life-threatening situations, and rescue of severely injured individuals. Since 2018, the unit has also acquired the capability for Wildfire Fighting (AIB).

In addition to the 82nd SAR Center in Trapani and the 83rd Flight SAR Group in Cervia, the 15th Wing also includes the 80th SAR Center in Decimomannu (Cagliari), the 84th SAR Center in Gioia del Colle (Bari), and the 85th SAR Center in Pratica di Mare (Rome), ensuring comprehensive coverage across the national territory.