Guwahati: Aimed at enhancing coordination and preparedness in aviation search and rescue services, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) conducted a satellite-aided “Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX-2024)” at its Rescue Sub Centre at Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBIA), on Thursday (February 15) and Friday (February16), with a day-long full-scale mock drill practice near Chandubi, Kamrup (Rural) area on the second day.
On the first day, a conference on the technical aspects of aeronautical search and rescue was held in Guwahati. Day two, hosted at Kamrup district’s Chandubi, involved a full-scale mock exercise to simulate real-life scenarios, evaluating response times, communication protocols and coordination among the participating agencies.
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The participating agencies included the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), AAI, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Indian Air Force (IAF), Indian Navy, Indian Army, Assam police and administration, and Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO’s) Indian Mission Control Center (INMCC).
The event concluded with debriefing sessions, feedback and closing remarks on exercise preparedness and execution. SAREX-2024, the first-of-its-kind event conducted in the entire Northeastern region, left an indelible impression, reiterating the importance of collaborative efforts towards enhancing safety and preparedness in aviation search and rescue operations.
The event opens a new dimension of collaborative response among stakeholders in the Northeastern region, where difficult terrain and unpredictable weather conditions often play a crucial role in any aviation-related search and rescue mission.
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It was emphasised by the top management officials of the AAI that because of similar approaches, the aviation sector is considered the safest and preferred mode of transport in the modern world.