Press Release (96)124 12 September 1996

Pfp Exercise Arctic-sarex 96 Khabarovsk (Far Eastern Region of Russia) 16th to 20th September 1996 Within the framework of the Partnership for Peace programme, exercise Arctic-Sarex 96 will be conducted near Khabarovsk in the Far Eastern Region of Russia, from the 16th to 20th September 1996. The exercise, which aims to improve emergency preparedness and response, has been organized by the Russian Ministry of Defence and is sponsored by NATO's Civil Emergency Planning Directorate. The objectives of the exercise are to: test the international mechanisms of emergency notification and response in the case of an air crash and the practical cooperation of Air Search and Rescue forces of the Russian Federation, Canada and the United States of America; and share experience in Search and Rescue and between medical teams from Russia, Canada and the USA in the field of rescue activities in remote and difficult to reach places. Participating units will include the Russian Ministry of Defence (the Russian Federal Agency for Air and Space Search and Rescue), the Ministry of the Russian Federation for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of the Consequences of Natural Disasters (EMERCOM), and Air Search and Rescue of Canada and the United States Department of Defence. Arctic-Sarex 96 will exercise radio-technical search flights and airdrops of rescue equipment, medical facilities and personnel. In addition, medical examination, delivery of special aid and evacuation of victims to a mobile hospital will also be conducted. This exercise is the first one in which military units from the Russian Federation, Canada and the United States will practice cooperation in Search and Rescue activities and the delivery of Humanitarian assistance. Arctic-Sarex 96 will represent a major contribution towards enhancing practical cooperation in Civil Emergency Planning and Disaster Assistance as called for in the recently concluded Memorandum of Understanding between the Russian Federation and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. For further information please contact Mr. E.G.J. Somer, NATO Civil Emergency Planning Directorate, (Int'l +) 32 2 707.4069