IPOH, 22 July 2025 – The KERIS STRIKE 30/2025 exercise continues with a focused Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) – Aviation Programme, uniting aviation units from the Malaysian Army’s Air Unit (PUTD) and the U.S. Army’s C Company 3-25 Aviation Regiment based in Hawaii, USA.

Held from 17 to 21 July 2025, the SMEE programme provided a critical platform for knowledge exchange, covering best practices in military aviation training, aircraft maintenance, and recovery operations. It also featured a joint session with SMEE – Medical, highlighting Aeromedical Evacuation (Air MEDEVAC) techniques and procedures using rotary-wing aircraft.

Over five intensive days, participants engaged in both theoretical and practical sessions on:

• Army Aviation Training Programmes
• Aviation Maintenance Practices
• Downed Aircraft Recovery Operations
• Forward Arming and Refuelling Point (FARP) setup
• Medical Evacuation (Air MEDEVAC) operations

A standout feature of this year’s programme was the Air Ambulance–Aeromedical Evacuation module, conducted in collaboration with SMEE – Medical. The session included:

• Introduction to onboard MEDEVAC equipment
• Cold and Hot Load drills (loading/unloading patients with rotors off/on)
• A live Hoist Demonstration, simulating patient extraction from landing zone-restricted areas

This collaborative training effort greatly enhanced the shared understanding of tactical air operations and reinforced joint interoperability between PUTD and the U.S. Army Aviation Regiment—directly aligning with the overarching goals of the KERIS STRIKE exercise.

By fostering closer ties and operational synergy, this initiative reflects a mutual commitment to readiness, resilience, and regional stability through strategic military cooperation.