Gunston Hall Works with Cyprus SAR units

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jesse A. Hyatt, USS Bataan Public Affairs

USS GUNSTON HALL, At Sea (NNS) -- The amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) participated in a bilateral search and rescue exercise (SAREX) off the coast of Cyprus with search and rescue (SAR) units from the Republic of Cyprus, Oct. 7.

The SAREX focused on daylight search and rescue operations, deck landings with SAR helicopters, and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) drills aboard Gunston Hall's flight deck.

It also focused on personnel and rescue units' capabilities and readiness, responding to potential SAR missions or other humanitarian operations within the Republic of Cyprus region and throughout the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

"Anytime we get an opportunity to participate with an ally in any exercise, it truly benefits both sides," said Gunston Hall's Commanding Officer Cmdr. Sean K. Burke. "If a MEDEVAC mission were to present itself, the Cypriots now have the confidence and experience to react swiftly and cohesively with our Naval forces."

The exercise began when the Cyprus Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC Larnaca) received a simulated distress call from Gunston Hall requesting MEDEVAC of two injured Sailors. AgustaWestland AW-139 rescue helicopters assigned to Cyprus' 460 SAR Squadron and the Cyprus Police Aviation Unit were dispatched in response.

The SAREX marks the third exercise completed with the Republic of Cyprus this year. Each SAREX had a unique scenario and was completed successfully.

"Today's success shows that when the time comes, we can work with our allies to accomplish our mutual goals," said Burke. "Everyone involved on both sides performed flawlessly and professionally. It was an honor working with the country of Cyprus."

Gunston Hall is part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, with the embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, and is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.