A joint Search and Rescue (SAR) Exercise, titled “CYFRA-02/19” was conducted on Friday, 05th of April 2019, near the coast of Cyprus, with the participation of SAR assets and Personnel of the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) and France.

The French Frigate «FORBIN» with helicopter «PANTHER», FPB «AMMOCHOSTOS», FPB «GEORGIOU» and FPB «TSOMAKIS» of the Navy Command of National Guard, a helicopter AW - 139 of Cyprus Police Aviation Unit and registered nurses from Ambulance Services/Ministry of Health of the RoC took part in the Aeronautical SAR Exercise under the operational control and coordination of the Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) Larnaca, in close cooperation with the French Navy.

The scenario dealt with a simulated “Maritime Accident with shipwrecked and missing persons’’, resulting the immediate implementation, by the JRCC Larnaca, of the Cyprus National SAR Plan “NEARCHOS” in order to confront the situation.

SAREX “CYFRA-02/19” is the second joint SAR exercise for 2019 and it is conducted on the opportunity of the port call of the French Aircraft Carrier «Charles De Gaulle» at Limassol port. Moreover, during the planning and preparation of the exercise, informative visits were paid both, on board the French ships and at the JRCC.

Finally, the long-lasting cooperation, between the JRCC Larnaca and the French Navy, has contributed significantly to the improvement of the operational capabilities of Cyprus Search and Rescue system.