Abu Dhabi Air Wing does 6 'search and rescue'

The Air Wing Department at the Abu Dhabi Police flew 1,015 missions during the first half of 2014. The operations included 72 air-ambulance missions covering road accidents and patient transport between hospitals; 6 search and rescue missions; 224 police patrols; 522 training flights; 132 maintenance-related sorties; and some 59 missions for different police and humanitarian purposes.

Brigadier Staff Pilot Ali Mohammed Al Mazroui, Head of the Air Wing Department at Abu Dhabi Police said, “We have 15 aircrafts operating at the department. They provide the necessary support and assistance to the different departments at the Abu Dhabi Police GHQ, in addition to air ambulance services and immediate search and rescue operations in remote locations or on external roads. The Air Wing’s 24/7 service also includes offshore rescue.”

Lieutenant Colonel Pilot Salem Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Operations Branch Manager, said: “The Abu Dhabi Police Air Wing is continuously monitoring traffic from the sky, particularly during peak hours, with at least nine air patrols being dispatched across the emirate's territories on a weekly basis; by reason of three patrols in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region respectively.

The air crew includes two pilots, a doctor, and thermal imaging device operator. The operator transmits live footage directly to the Central Operations Room and the Air Wing Department’s Operations Room during the mission. Communication between the operations room and the aircraft is conducted via Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) device, which easily guides the aircraft to the location, according to the coordinates specified by the operations room. The thermal imaging device is particularly handy at night and ensures efficient night patrols.”

Al Mazroui added, “During the first half of this year, the Air Wing Department flew several missions that included aerial photography, and road monitoring among other tasks. The department’s aerial surveillance aircrafts carry out 24/7 patrols across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi throughout the week to monitor the highways and internal roads, especially at the peak hours and others recommended by the central operations room.”

Brigadier Al Mazroui commended the great support and the well-advised instructions provided by the police leadership to the Air Wing Department,

Al Suwaidi added: “The Operations Section at the Air Wing Department consists of four branches. The Operations Branch is in charge of planning the daily operations, and is the backbone of this section. It oversees the proper scheduling of missions and training; manages collaboration with hospitals regarding medical emergency services; updates and analyzes flight logs; and issues directions in cases of emergencies or annual joint drill programs. The Weather and Communications Branch monitors weather conditions and provides communications between aircrafts and ADP departments, such as ambulance, rescue, traffic and the CID.”

Adding further, Lieutenant Colonel Al Suwaidi said: “The Surveillance Branch manages specialized security air patrols that serve police work, in cooperation with the concerned police departments. The branch analyzes the footage transmitted by the cameras to the operations room. The Security Planning and Documentation Branch sets up security plans and documents missions and statistics. The Aviation Safety Branch provides safety for both the aircraft and its crew, and ensures the efficiency of the onboard equipment and devices.”

It is worth mentioning that the Air Wing Department at Abu Dhabi Police takes part in the organization of different activities and provides aerial support to special events such as camel or horse races, road and water races, as well as Yas Marina Circuit races and other missions.
 

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