In a major step toward enhancing international air rescue operations, the Dakar Coordination and Rescue Center (CCS) and the Canary Islands Rescue Coordination Center (ARCC Canarias) are set to sign a new operational agreement aimed at improving cooperation in air search and rescue (SAR) missions.
The initiative comes following joint participation in the 2025 Search and Rescue Exercise, hosted by the Spanish Air Force on Gran Canaria from June 17 to 20. The training brought together officials from both countries to simulate emergency response efforts and exchange expertise in aerial rescue operations.
Representing Senegal were Lieutenant Colonel Mansour Kane, head of Dakar CCS; Chief Warrant Officer Lamine Bop; and Abibou Mbaye from the National Agency for Civil Aviation and Meteorology (ANACIM). The team engaged in both field exercises and strategic discussions during the event.
A key outcome of the bilateral meeting was progress toward signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two centers. The proposed agreement will focus on streamlining coordination, enhancing response capabilities, and facilitating joint training between the Senegalese and Spanish SAR units.
Dakar’s CCS, which operates under the Senegalese Air Force and is overseen by ANACIM, regularly participates in international training efforts to ensure it maintains world-class readiness and interoperability with partner nations.
This collaboration is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Senegal–Spain defense cooperation and bolster emergency preparedness across the West African and Atlantic regions.
