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.

Kamil Kusier executive editor 23.05.2025, 07:17 Reading time: 2 min

Grey naval vessel numbered 282 seen from the deck of another boat flying a white and red flag on its bow — fot. 2 Korpus Polski

In brief

The SAREX 25 search and rescue exercise included a maritime MSAR episode on the Baltic Sea involving Polish Navy forces, including crews from the 3rd Flotilla of Ships and the Naval Aviation Brigade. The scenario involved searching for and rescuing a diver, with ORP Maćko, the hydrographic motorboat MH-2 and units from the Rescue Services Base in Władysławowo taking part. A simulated medical evacuation from a vessel servicing offshore wind farms was also carried out. In the Lubusz Voivodeship, participants practised rescuing a crew ejecting from a Su-22 aircraft, with the involvement of a German rescue helicopter.

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.

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Source: Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Kamil Kusier