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Cyprus and Greece carried out a joint search and rescue exercise on September 2, bringing together naval vessels, aircraft and emergency personnel from both countries.
The exercise, codenamed “SALAMIS-03/26,” took place within the Republic of Cyprus’ search and rescue area of responsibility and was coordinated by the Larnaca Joint Rescue Coordination Center in cooperation with the Hellenic Navy General Staff.
The Hellenic Navy deployed the frigates Nikiforos Fokas and Hydra for the exercise. Cyprus participated with the offshore patrol vessel Ioannidis from the Naval Command and a helicopter from the National Guard Air Command’s 460 Search and Rescue Squadron.
A helicopter from the Police Air Operations Unit also took part, along with nurses from the Ambulance Service’s specialist MEDEVAC team.
The exercise was held under the interstate agreement between Cyprus and Greece covering cooperation on search and rescue operations.
Such joint drills are designed to strengthen coordination between the two countries and improve their ability to respond to emergencies at sea in the Eastern Mediterranean.
