20th Thursday
Release #4 1552 CST
Search and rescue teams have now reconvened at base camp. They will now debrief and plan for the search and rescue activity to start again at 0600 hrs tomorrow. Weather conditions have been difficult and tomorrows effort will continue to focus on Category A sites 1A, 1B, 1C, and lower paths. Helicopters will continue to search from the air, and provide support to the teams on the ground.
Press enquires should be directed to: media@rescueglobal.com
Release #3 0736 CST
Search and Rescue team 1 (Rescue 51) have been dropped 1 hour’s walk south of site 1A due to bad weather.
Team 2 (Rescue 52) have been dropped at site 1B.
Team 3 (Rescue 53) are being dropped now at site 1C.
As the weather has cleared a little, the heli will then return to Rescue 51 and move them to their site 1A.
Release #2 0710 CST
Three SAR teams of Red Cross personnel are being inserted into Category A search areas by the Rescue Global helicopter, following briefings to establish common protocols, communications, and agree flight times and patterns:
- Team 1 0630 hrs to Site 1A which is an active volcano, let by Rescue Global SAR Team Member Anthony Hayward
- Team 2 0645 hrs to Site 1B which is an inactive volcano
- Team 3 0700 hrs to Site 1C which is a lagoon.
Heli Warrior 33 is being used as an airborne command platform as well as a search tool, with Rescue Global Team Leader (David Jones) providing direction to the SAR teams, advised by Task Force Bravo Search and Rescue specialist adviser.
US Colonel Andersson is providing the Task Force Bravo Command and Reporting element on the ground at the camp and is joined their by the US Consul General.
Press enquires should be directed to: media@rescueglobal.com
Release #1 0545 CST
Multi-agency briefing last night established the air assets of the mission as:
- two USA helicopters with callsigns Warrior 32 and Warrior 33
- one is an assault heli with the capacity to insert 10 persons in the search areas
- the second is a Midivac heli which will be used as an aerial command platform and SAR
- these join the Rescue Global heli, call sign Rescue 1.
Rescue 1 is in the air at 0530 hrs local, to insert first Red Cross teams of searchers. Each team has been assigned a Park Ranger as a guide – as per locally agreed Rescue Global safety protocol.
Warrior 32 and 33 will fly at staggered timings to achieve maximum flight time from 0600 to 0900.
The mission for the day is to establish full cover throughout the area, with all personnel working to one common communication system, provided by Task Force Bravo’s communications operators. SAR teams will be inserted to search Category A sites.
Rescue Global SAR Operative (Anthony Hayward) is searching the 1A site, which is an active volcano, assisted by local Red Cross Team Leader and members.
The weather is currently good at ground level, and very challenging at the volcano site.
Press enquires should be directed to: media@rescueglobal.com
