Simulated COVID-19 air rescue operation at Eastmincom. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
DAVAO CITY –– The Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) simulated an air rescue scenario for COVID-19 patients here to learn how to extricate them during emergencies, a military spokesperson said.
Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, Eastmincom spokesperson, said the two-day air rescue exercise that started on April 21 at the Davao air station at Camp Panacan here, was meant to evaluate the command’s air evacuation capability based on government protocols to stop the spread of COVID-19.
“(The exercise) also aims to enhance the inter-operability of the command’s air units with other government agencies fighting COVID-19,” Balagtey said.
He said the exercise simulated COVID-19 patient extraction scenarios from geographically difficult areas and other situations that may arise during the rainy season and other possible natural calamities.
The exercise included heliborne operations, patient evacuation, wearing and removing personal protective equipment, among others.