A Super Puma helicopter (AS32) of the Spanish Air Force landed at Madeira International Airport today for a technical stopover on its way to the Azores. According to DIÁRIO, the aircraft arrived at 11:34 after flying from Las Palmas in Gran Canaria. Its stay in Madeira is only temporary, with departure for Ponta Delgada scheduled for 10:00 tomorrow, the 5th of June. The helicopter is one of the assets taking part in ASAREX26, the international search-and-rescue exercise due to run from the 6th to the 10th of July on the island of São Miguel in the Azores. The exercise is organised by the Portuguese Navy, through the Ponta Delgada Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC Delgada) and the Azores Maritime Zone Command, in cooperation with the Portuguese Air Force. It brings together regional, national and international entities to improve cooperation, operational coordination and training for emergency response teams. The programme includes a technical conference and practical drills from the 7th to the 9th of July, covering shipwreck rescue, diving accidents, cliff rescues and first aid. ASAREX26 ends on the 10th of July with an aeronaval demonstration of maritime search and rescue off Santa Bárbara beach, in Ribeira Grande, while the helicopter’s arrival at Madeira Airport drew the attention of aircraft spotters.
