SAREX 25: integrated search and rescue operations on land, sea, and air

The latest iteration of SAREX 25, Poland’s premier national search and rescue exercise, has successfully concluded with a series of multi-domain operations designed to test and refine joint emergency response procedures. This year’s scenarios underscored the importance of real-time coordination and cross-border interoperability between naval, aerial, and land-based units.

security aviation navy maritime rescue news

23 may 2025 | 07:17 | Source: Gazeta Morska | Prepared by: Kamil Kusier | Print

fot. 2 Korpus Polski

Maritime SAR: readiness and coordination at sea

One of the key components of SAREX 25 was the maritime search and rescue (MSAR) episode, conducted in the Baltic Sea and involving elements of the Polish Navy and Naval Aviation Brigade. Units from the 3rd Ship Flotilla participated alongside SAR teams and hydrographic support vessels. Assets deployed included ORP Maćko, hydrographic motorboat MH-2, and rescue elements from the Naval SAR Base in Władysławowo.

A critical part of this training involved the simulated search and recovery of a missing diver in open waters. Another complex scenario rehearsed a medical evacuation from an offshore wind farm service vessel—a reflection of growing maritime infrastructure in Poland’s exclusive economic zone. These operations demonstrated the operational synergy required between maritime crews and airborne medical teams operating in restricted and weather-challenged environments.

Aircrew rescue in forested terrain: rapid response in difficult conditions

Simultaneously, SAREX 25 featured a land-air rescue scenario in the Lubusz region, simulating the crash of a Su-22 military aircraft following an in-flight engine failure. The pilots successfully ejected but landed in a heavily forested, hard-to-access area.

The Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC), operated by the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency, immediately activated national and allied response units. Notably, a German SAR helicopter already in proximity to the crash site was integrated into the operation, providing crucial support alongside Poland’s LZPR-1 Aerial Search and Rescue Team from Powidz.

The combined efforts of Polish and German air crews resulted in the successful localization and evacuation of the downed pilots, who were then transported to nearby medical facilities. This episode highlighted the strategic importance of seamless multinational SAR cooperation, especially in cross-border and remote scenarios.

The role of exercises in strengthening operational readiness

Exercises like SAREX 25 are essential to maintaining high levels of operational readiness and ensuring that military and civilian emergency services can work together effectively under real-world conditions. By simulating high-risk, multi-domain incidents, these drills enhance tactical coordination, validate procedures, and reinforce the international partnerships that are vital for saving lives when every second counts.