“Relámpagos” air rescue unit

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF MEXICO APPOINTS INERCO FORESPRO TO TRAIN THE “RELÁMPAGOS” UNIT, ONE OF THE WORLD’S FINEST AIR RESCUE UNITS

INERCO Forespro has been appointed by the government of the State of Mexico to train the professionals of the “Relámpagos” (“Lightning”) air rescue unit, recognised as one of the best helicopter units in the world.

INERCO Forespro developed a training programme and procedures specifically for the Unit, including on-site training with its own pilots and instructors. The programme was an advanced course on the actions to be taken during forest fires, using Simplex equipment. The programme also included vertical rescue courses and the training of the entire SAR unit in interventions in hostile and urban environments, using two AW helicopter models equipped with rescue winches.

The State of Mexico also confirmed new training activities for the coming months, including safety in tactical operations from aerial platforms and surveillance and support for police on the ground. There will also be an All-Weather SAR (AWSAR) certification course providing training both by day and by night; this will be provided in the near future for all units making up the “Relámpagos” air rescue unit.

The “Relámpagos” unit is a security and emergency service belonging to the State of Mexico. Based in Toluca, the unit uses Augusta Westland 109 and 119 helicopters as a platform for surveillance, security and intervention. It acts in the sphere of police activities and carries out rescues, emergency response, forest fires, etc.

In recent years, the unit’s members have performed 270 search and rescue operations, 2,800 medical transfers and 125 firefighting operations, in addition to their regular patrolling and police support work. Their work has been acknowledged with various awards, such as the 2008 Helicopter Heroism Award from the prestigious American publication Rotor and Wings.