During their recent port visit to Djibouti, the Operations Officer and three pilots from the EU Naval Force Spanish warship, ESPS Rayo, met with personnel from the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron (ERSQ), who are stationed at US base, Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti.
During the visit the Spanish Navy crew was given an insight in to the combat search and rescue (CSAR) capabilities of what is an elite and highly-regarded US Air Force unit. Combat search and rescue missions are search and rescue operations that are carried out within or near hostile or potentially hostile territories.
After being welcomed to the base, the 82nd Squadron personnel gave a tour of the C-130 and HH-60 rescue aircraft and explained their capabilities and characteristics, together with the equipment used as part of a rescue operation.
As is tradition amongst aircrews, before the Spanish team departed, both sides exchanged squadron arm patches.