Late yesterday afternoon and into last night, the ASR Unit, supported by NSRI Station 18, trained with the SA Navy Super Lynx helicopter (operated by 22 Squadron of the SAAF) at Melkbosstrand. The objective of the exercise was to find a casualty floating in the water at night. The casualty would be wearing a life jacket and the only indication of their location was the flashing light on their life jacket.
The exercise was split into 2 sessions; a daylight phase and then a night time/ dark phase.
During the daylight phase, several sorties were completed utilizing direct recovery (using a rescue strop) and the basket recovery method.
The night phase was more challenging with the air crew utilizing Night Vision Goggles (NVG), minimal lights from the helicopter and the ASR Rescue Swimmer utilizing cyalumes. Despite the complete surrounding darkness and no moon, the air crew and rescue swimmer managed to locate and recover their patients with great success.
Pics by Kim Germishuys
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