First NVG water rescue for Brazilian Air Force
The Brazilian Air Force has reported on a milestone mission: its first rescue exercise lifting a victim from water at night using night vision goggles (NVG).
The Brazilian Air Force has reported on a milestone mission: its first rescue exercise lifting a victim from water at night using night vision goggles (NVG). The practice mission was performed by the Falcon Squadron in Guajará Bay near Belém in the state of Pará. The Air Force said the mission was a demonstration of the capabilities of its H-36 Caracal helicopters, adding that it is now ready and able to carry out rescue activities at any time of day or night.
Flight Major Mário Jorge Siqueira Oliveira, Falcon Squadron, commented: “The Squadron inaugurates a new era in the operational ability for aerial search and rescue in the country.”
Despite the Squadron’s experience in daytime rescue call-outs, changes had to be made in order to perform the same missions in the dark. For example, to avoid the rotor downwash creating water spray that would hinder the pilot and crew’s view of the scene through NVGs when lifting victims, the helicopter is held higher above the water than during the day. Another example is that fluorescent rods are placed in strategic locations around the aircraft interior to help crew members to orientate themselves.
Falcon Squadron begin flying the H-36, the Brazilian Air Force’s largest helicopter, in 2010. Since then, the squadron has built up 3,500 hours with its machine. The next steps are to continue training with NVGs and lifting victims from water using litter.
Flt Lt Col Marcelo Filgueiras de Sena, commander of Falcon Squadron, said that as well as being useful for civilian rescues, the techniques being learned enhance the unit’s combat search and rescue (CSAR) offering: “The night rescue on water with NVG represents a huge win for the Brazilian Air Force’s CSAR task, one of the main missions of the squadron.” He added that the new technique increases the Air Force’s ability to rescue civilian and military crews in hostile areas at any time of day or night.