AIR FORCE PUT THROUGH THEIR PACES

THE Spanish Air Force will, on April 24 and 25, carry out a major exercise for aircrew which will also serve as a training exercise for military personnel attached to the search and rescue unit. The national Ministry of Defence said yesterday that on April 24 (Monday) the nighttime phase of the exercise will take place in the military airbase in Pollensa, while the bay of Pollensa will be the scene of the daytime phase. The exercise, which is part of the Air Force Action Plan this year for the training of pilots, will also have crews from the airlines Air Europa and Spanair taking part. During the drill, a Canadair flying boat from Group 43 of Torrejon whose main mission is firefighting, a D3 Aviocar light plane and a HD19 Puma helicopter of the 801 division from the airbase at Son Sant Joan (Palma airport) will practise techniques for rescuing people from the sea. According to the information released, the exercise will be observed by members of the French Air Force.