Operations Command of Types of Armed Forces summed up tactical-special exercises called ‘Sarex ’25’. Deputy operational commander of the RSZ General Dyw. Pil. Dariusz Malinowski explained that they service to make Poles feel safer. – Although it was not without mistakes, you can see a immense advancement compared to erstwhile editions – the general assessed the course of maneuvers.
The “Sarex ’25” exercises with search and rescue activities in the land and sea areas of work of the Aviation Search and Rescue Service (ASAR) and the SAR system, which took place on 19–23 May in respective provinces and at sea, ended. Their organizer was Operations Command of Armed Forces Types. Within a fewer days 4 episodes were conducted, involving more than 300 people – soldiers and representatives of various services: DORSZ, DGRSZ, Military Police, Police, Fire Department and Border Guard, as well as paramedics.
Today was a conference summarizing the course of the exercise. Deputy Commander of Operations of Types of Armed Forces, Head of the ‘Sarex’ Gen. Dyw. pil. Dariusz Malinowski said that this year's edition completed a certain phase of preparation of the full SAR system. “This was a summary of what we have learned over the last 4 years,” said the general. As he pointed out, the biggest test was plane crash episode, organized between Lublin and Rzeszów. Preparations were kept secret. – I estimation that they went very well – he stated and added that although it did not go without mistakes, however, there was a immense advancement compared to erstwhile editions. General Malinowski emphasized that specified exercises are conducted so that Poles can feel safer, and anyone who gets on a plane, bus or ship, knew that erstwhile something bad happened, the emergency services would know how to act. – aid will definitely come on time and will be effective. We made a good strategy – he assured.
The first 2 episodes were related to conducting search and rescue activities in a wooded area. During 1 of them, organized in the Lubuskie region, the Su-22 military crew was sought, which as a consequence of the engine failure was forced to catapult in densely wooded, hard-to-access terrain. A German SAR chopper was besides included in these activities, which was closest to the scene. The subject of the second episode, conducted in Podkarpacie, was the simulation of an airplane crash with a large number of casualties and injuries. The rescue and search operation conducted by various services lasted 18 hours and ended in the discovery of all victims.
Marine episode began by simulating the failure of communication with the submarine. The naval forces – the ORP “Lech” and the ORP “Heelius”, as well as the SAR 3000 “Storm” and SAR 1500 “Bryza” units, moved into action. This component took place in respective voivodships, in Polish and German airspace and in Baltic waters.
The last, 4th episode active recovering isolated personnel.
The “Sarex” exercise has been carried out since 2014, with the aim of verifying the state of preparation of the forces and measures allocated to undertake search and rescue operations in the land and sea areas in accordance with the national plan of ASAR and SAR. According to Przemysław Walc, Head of the Civil-War Centre for Aviation Search and Rescue at the Polish Air Navigation Agency, further experience gained during specified maneuvers allows to improve the operation of the services, as was illustrated by this year's edition.
