On 13 September 2022, a joint full-capacity search and rescue exercise in the event of an aviation accident was organised by the Bosnia and Herzegovina Directorate of Civil Aviation (BHDCA) and was successfully carried out by its participants, which, in addition to BHDCA representatives, included members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Bosnia and Herzegovina Mine Action Center (BHMAC), the Rescue Coordination Centre of Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of the Air Navigation Services Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHANSA), the Helicopter Service of the Republic of Srpska, and the Mountain Rescue Service of the Republic of Srpska.
The search and rescue operation itself was carried out in the broader area of Teslić with the involvement of helicopters of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Helicopter Service of the Republic of Srpska, as well as vehicles and resources of the BHMAC and the Mountain Rescue Service of the Republic of Srpska.
The goal of the exercise was to train and prepare the competent services in Bosnia and Herzegovina for search and rescue operations in the event of an aviation accident in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The participants' joint assessment is that the exercise showed good coordination, fast and successful communication between the participants, adherence to procedures, and the readiness and efficiency of all services in the event of an aviation accident.
The "SAR 2022" search and rescue exercise in the event of an aviation accident was organised and carried out in accordance with the competences of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Directorate of Civil Aviation and in accordance with the applicable cooperation agreements between the BHDCA and other participants in this exercise, pursuant to the Bosnia and Herzegovina Aviation Law and the Rulebook on the Search and Rescue Service in the Event of an Aviation Accident in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as in line with international standards and recommended practices in the field of civil aviation and Bosnia and Herzegovina's obligations in this domain.
