From October 10^th – 14^th 40^th Smaldeel hosted the International SAR Meet 2016 at Koksijde Air Base. The SAR Meet brings together Search and Rescue Squadron to train their skills in competitive exercise. Touchdown Aviation visited the media day on the second day of the exercise.

2016 was a special year for 40^th Smaldeel, celebrating the 45 years’ milestone of service Alouette III and 40 years in service of the Westland Sea King. It was there for that the 40^thSmaldeel held the latest edition of the International Sar Meet.

This year’s SAR Meet the following country’s were attending the exercise: Austria and Germany. Although the number of participants was very small after last minute cancelations, the 40^thSmaldeel organised a great exercise. The exercise did not just involve flying for aircrews. The winching exercise and sea survival exercise took place in front of the Koksijde beachfront. Also social and team events where held to get some international competitions between the different nations.

As traditions are kept high, this year’s SAR Meet resulted in the following award winners:

• Navigation Contest VbHubSt (AUS)
• Winching Contest 40 Smaldeel (BEL)
• Survival Contest 40 Smaldeel (BEL)
• Highland Games MFG 5 (GER)
• International Evening (POR)


Although it was small exercise, we were lucky to attend the International SAR Meet and we got good opportunities to cover this event. Touchdown Aviation would like to thank the 40^th  Smaldeel and in special Jozef van den Broeck from the Belgium Air Force for allowing us to visit Koksijde Air Base.