Filenews 24 May 2021
Today, Monday, 24 May 2021, the joint search-and-rescue exercise between Cyprus and France under the name "CYFRA 02/21" was completed.
The activity is part of the implementation of the defence cooperation programme between the two countries and took place on the occasion of the presence of the French aircraft carrier 'Charles de Gaulle' in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region.
The exercise, which took place in a maritime area within the R&D responsibility area of the Republic of Cyprus under the coordination of the Search and Rescue Coordination Centre, involved rescue helicopters of the French aircraft carrier "CHARLES DE GAULLE", the "GEORGE" Coastal Patrol of OHIM/DN, helicopters AW139 of the 460 E-D Squadron of OHIM/DA, as well as specialized nurses of the Special Teams "MEDEVAC" of the Ambulance Service.
The purpose of the exercise was to further develop existing cooperation with the French Armed Forces, as well as to train R&D crews in operational procedures to deal with incidents of rescue of fighter pilots after abandonment.
This exercise is the 2nd cooperation in 2021 and overall the 40th co-training in R&D issues with the French aeronautical forces operating in the Region of Ann. Mediterranean.
