A 45-year-old man in urgent need of medical attention was rescued by the Air Force on Tuesday while aboard a fishing vessel approximately 609 kilometers southwest of Lajes.
“The rescue was carried out using two aircraft: the EH-101 Merlin helicopter from Squadron 752 – ‘Phoenix’ and the C-295 aircraft from Squadron 502 – ‘Elephants.’ The EH-101 took off at 08:55, followed an hour later by the C-295, which departed at 09:55,” stated the Air Force in a communication.
The rescue team arrived at the location at 11:55 and transported the Indonesian national to Faial Island, where he was taken to Horta Hospital.
“The EH-101 Merlin landed at Air Base No. 4 at 15:40, completing 06:10 of flight time, while the C-295M returned at 15:50, totaling 05:55 of flight time,” detailed the Air Force.
Additionally, the Lajes Search and Rescue Coordination Center (RCC Lajes) “concluded the day with about 20 hours of mission planning.”
The operations were coordinated by RCC Lajes following a request from the Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center of Ponta Delgada (MRCC Delgada).
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[Updated at 21:23]
