In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn sits down with Javier Lozano, from Avincis, decorated Spanish Air Force pilot and commander of Valencia’s maritime rescue helicopter unit.

Lozano and his crew earned the Vertical Valor Blades of Valor recognition for their involvement with the Valencia floods. A night rescue carried out in poor weather conditions and an urban environment with unmarked obstacles like cranes, antennas, and high-voltage cables.The helicopter managed to rescue up to a dozen people and a dog.

Lozano takes us through his remarkable journey — from his early dreams as a fighter pilot to leading complex SAR missions across Spain. Drawing from over three decades in aviation, he shares dramatic stories of storm-stricken rescues, creative saves involving pets, and the profound challenges faced during catastrophic urban flood operations.

The conversation explores the technical and emotional demands of emergency aviation: how improvisation, rigorous preparation, and adaptability become essential when lives hang in the balance. Lozano reflects on the camaraderie within rescue teams, the importance of quick-thinking in unpredictable scenarios, and the powerful human bonds formed in moments of crisis.

He also offers invaluable lessons for aspiring pilots and rescue professionals, emphasizing the need for continuous training, collaborative teamwork, and unwavering resilience in the face of adversity.

This is much more than a recounting of missions — it’s an exploration of what it means to serve, adapt, and lead under extreme pressure, shining a spotlight on the heart, ingenuity, and tenacity at the core of search and rescue. 

Read more about the other Blades of Valor recipients in the Fall Mega issue of Vertical Valor, coming out in November 2025. Enjoy!

This episode is powered by Vertical HeliCASTS.

Thank you for sponsoring this episode of The Real ResQ: Axnes, Metro Aviation, PAG, ReadyBAR, and The Real ResQ Store.

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