A joint search and rescue drill involving Cyprus and the United States was completed on Monday in the waters south off the island, according to Deputy Government Spokesperson Victoras Papadopoulos.

The drill has seen the JRCC (Joint Rescue Coordination Centre of the Cyprus Republic) of Larnaca mobilised as it combined its forces with the US Navy and Frontex (Europe’s biggest Search and Rescue operation).

The joint Search and Rescue (SAR) Daylight Exercise got underway on Monday.

This was the first exercise on SAR matters, within 2016, between the JRCC Larnaca and the US Navy, while two similar type exercises took place in 2015.

The US Navy Command Ship, USS Mount Whitney, arrived in Cyprus on Friday where it docked at Limassol port.

“This is the fifth such exercise between Cyprus and US which once again shows the strong ties between two countries”, said Papadopoulos.

“This drill is especially important because it is taking place under the coordination of the JRCC and that shows what an important role Cyprus has in the area. Cypriot helicopters belonging to the police and the National Guard will also be involved in the exercise.”