Grifone 2022: International Search and Rescue Exercise

Helicopter crew

The Grifone is an annual Search and Rescue (SAR) exercise planned and conducted by the Italian Air Force through the Rescue Coordination Center (RCC)/Comando Operazioni Aerospaziali (COA, Aerospace Operations Command).

Orignially part of the international agreement SARMEDOCC (SAR-Mediterranean-Western) signed in 1972,with the aim of increasing and improving the collaboration and coordination between these national rescue organizations, it now also involves the support of the National Corps of Alpine and Speleological Rescue (CNSAS).

The 2022 edition took place from 13 to 17 June, in the Apennine mountain area in northern Italy. Involving a wide range of day and night missions, it was also an opportunity for the Italian Air Force to test the newly acquired ‘Artemis Airborne System’, produced by Smith Myers in the United Kingdom (UK). Fitted on the HH-139 helicopters, Artemis is an automated airborne system which can accurately locate a person in distress by using their mobile phone.

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