Why was the rescue on Dinara so challenging?

Due to the inaccessible mountain terrain that ground forces cannot reach, the specific microclimate, and the fact that the helicopter cannot land, so the injured person must be extracted using a winch.

Who all participated in the rescue operation?

The operation involved members of the 395th Transport Helicopter Squadron of the Croatian Air Force, the Special Forces Command (ZSS), and the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service (HGSS).

How long did the rescue operation last?

The operation on the ground lasted about fifteen minutes, and the helicopter flight was shorter than an hour. The helicopter took off at 7:40 PM, and the injured person was handed over to the hospital at 8:25 PM.

What injury did the German national sustain?

According to the pilot, the German national injured his ankle, which prevented him from continuing his ascent on Dinara.

Croatia

Croatian Air Force Pilot Describes Challenging Rescue of German Hiker on Dinara

A.E. · Prije 2h | 2 min

The extraction of an injured German national on Saturday evening lasted about fifteen minutes on the ground, but the preparations and flight demanded exceptional precision due to the inaccessible mountain terrain.

Summary

A Croatian Air Force pilot explained that the rescue on Dinara was challenging due to the inaccessible terrain and the helicopter's inability to land.
On Saturday evening, the helicopter took off from Divulje at 7:40 PM, and the injured German national was handed over to the hospital in Knin at 8:25 PM.
The operation involved members of the 395th Squadron, the Special Forces Command, and the HGSS, with extraction carried out using a winch.

The rescue of an injured German national from Dinara on Saturday was extremely challenging due to the mountain terrain, specific microclimate, and inaccessibility of the area, a Croatian Air Force (CAF) pilot said on Sunday. The injured person was transported by helicopter to the hospital in Knin, with the entire operation taking place in the evening hours.

"The on-duty crew of the 395th Transport Helicopter Squadron received a call regarding a search and rescue operation for an injured person on Dinara. The person was accompanied by two others near the mountain lodge on Dinara close to Knin. The helicopter took off at 7:40 PM from Divulje, with two members of the Special Forces Command (ZSS) on board, and at the football field of NK Dinara near Knin, two members of the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service (HGSS) also boarded," the pilot told 24sata.

Helicopter Cannot Land, Winch Used

The military pilot emphasized that search and rescue missions in mountain terrain are among the most demanding that the CAF conducts. The terrain is often inaccessible to ground forces, and the helicopter cannot land. Therefore, a winch is used to extract the injured, with HGSS and HZZ members being lowered to the injured person's location and then lifting them into the aircraft.

During this, the helicopter must remain completely stable, without any swaying, which requires extensive training and precision. "We are always ready for this thanks to good coordination and cooperation among all services," the pilot explained.

Ankle Injury Halted the Ascent

According to the pilot, the German national injured his ankle, preventing him from continuing his planned ascent. Fortunately, two other people were nearby who were able to alert the rescue services.

The operation on the ground lasted about fifteen minutes, while the helicopter flight was shorter than an hour. The injured person was handed over to the hospital in Knin at 8:25 PM for further medical care. The Ministry of Defense also reported on the operation in the morning, confirming the participation of members of the 395th Transport Helicopter Squadron, the Special Forces Command, and the HGSS.