An Inaer Spain crew recently took over the controls of a medical helicopter in Cuenca, in order to run an earthquake simulation. The drill was organised by the Castilla-La Mancha health service and the Military Emergency Unit, and took place in the village of Carrascosilla, Cuenca, which was abandoned in the 1960s.

During the drill, personnel had the opportunity to put rescue and healthcare procedures into practice. At least 50 members of the emergency services and 40 members from the MEU's international urban search and rescue unit took part. These included representatives from the canine search unit, the civil guard and the Huete civil protection service.

Elsewhere, Inaer Spain has been awarded a new contract to operate aerial firefighting services in the region of Extremadura, after the local government issued a public tender. The company will provide fire fighting, surveillance and coordination services.

The operator will use nine helicopters, including a coordinating aircraft and a Kamov helicopter based in Manchita. The remaining aircraft will be based at Herrera del Duque and Calera de León in the province of Badajoz, and Jarandilla de la Vera, Guadalupe, Hoyos, Serradilla and Valencia de Alcántara in the province of Cáceres. The authorities in Extremadura are in the process of building new bases for the aircraft.