Major International rescue exercises hosted by Balearic Islands

Mallorca

Spanish, French and Italian military and civilian personnel have recently taken part in a major international air and sea rescue exercise, with the three participating countries flying into operation headquarters at the air force base, next to Palma’s Son Sant Joan airport. The operation named “Cernia 2009” involved international air forces as well as aircraft and vessels from the national air sea rescue service, the Guardia Civil, the Red Cross Organisation, Palma Maritime Rescue Centre, plus troops from the various regiments based in the Balearic Islands.

Three participating countries took part in two different exercises.

SPANISH, French and Italian military and civilian personnel have recently taken part in a major international air and sea rescue exercise, with the three participating countries flying into operation headquarters at the air force base, next to Palma’s Son Sant Joan airport.

The operation named “Cernia 2009” involved international air forces as well as aircraft and vessels from the national air sea rescue service, the Guardia Civil, the Red Cross Organisation, Palma Maritime Rescue Centre, plus troops from the various regiments based in the Balearic Islands.

The operation itself was split into two phases, with the first being a major maritime rescue exercise and then followed y a land based operation.

The first exercises involved two aircraft going down in the sea off the south west of Mallorca and the second exercise involved a number of paratroopers jumping from an aircraft over the Sierra de Tramuntana mountain range.

The two exercises were not helped by the weather as heavy rain and gale force winds complicated both training exercises, especially in the mountains.