Search And Rescue

By Belgian Sea Kings retired     On March 21, 2019 the Belgian Air Component (BAC) bid farewell to its last operational Westland Seaking Mk48. The 40th Smaldeel has operated the helicopter for 43 years. Their main task was Search and Rescue (SAR), but also transport of wounded persons and organ transport to hospitals were part of…

By The Belgian transition to NH-90 After many years of operations with the Alouette III and Sea King the Belgian military is currently conversing to the NH-90NFH. In August 2015 the NH-90NFH received initial operational capability for Search and Rescue (SAR) missions within the Belgian Air Component. Only a few days later the first successful…

By 771 NAS – A review of the long history of Royal Navy SAR operations      The walls are emptyand the operations building suggests its inhabitants are preparing to move. It’s early February when we enter the home of 771 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) at Royal Navy Air Station Culdrose. The plaque in the hallway lists…

By Search and Rescue within the Royal Netherlands Air Force    On January 1, 2015 the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) retired the Agusta Bell AB-412 SP SAR helicopters. On January 15 the 303 SAR squadron was disbanded after 55 years of service. Naviation was invited to report on the military ceremony. Joan took this opportunity…