BEIJING, Nov. 12 (ChinaMil) - A Z-9 shipboard helicopter landed on the airport of the Chinese People's Liberation Army ( PLA) support base in Djibouti on Tuesday morning local time, marking new breakthrough of China's first overseas base in supporting the escort missions in Gulf of Aden and Somali waters.
A helicopter carrying simulated casualties took off from the Chinese guided-missile frigate Wuhu (Hull 539) in western Gulf of Aden at 8 o’clock local time. After 60 minutes of sea flight, the helicopter successfully transported two batches of wounded personnel in two sorties to the PLA support base in Djibouti for treatment. The training included subjects such as air-ground coordination, helicopter emergency medical evacuation and first-aid to wounded personnel.
The PLA support base in Djibouti and the 30th Chinese naval escort taskforce jointly organized and conducted the training, with main content focusing on “maritime medical evacuation of helicopters conducting escort mission”.
In consideration of the fact that the Chinese naval helicopter conducting escort missions needs to enter into the territorial waters of Djibouti and flies through the air control zone of Djibouti–Ambouli International Airport, with the assistance of the Military Attaché Office of the Chinese Embassy in Djibouti, the PLA support base communicated actively with the Djibouti side for the implementation of the flight plan and coordinated closely with the Djibouti’s coast guard to work on the search and rescue tasks in the helicopter's sea lane region. In addition, the PLA also focused on targeted training for control tower commanding personnel and flight personnel.
Through the training, the PLA accumulated sufficient experience for effective command of naval forces and air forces as well as maritime humanitarian rescues and related actions in the Gulf of Aden, and improved its abilities of joint humanitarian rescues in the regions.
