Belgian Air Force, August 28, 2015 - The naval version of the NH90 helicopter has carried out his first life-saving mission, just a few weeks after the unit was declared operational.
The five-man crew picked up a man with heart problems from a ferry on British waters. The helicopter took him an English Hospital for further care.
The whole intervention was done at the request of the British authorities. At the time of the emergency the English rescue helicopter was in another rescue so they called for assistance to the Belgian 40th squadron at Koksijde.
Around 18:45 rang the scramble bell of the squadron. The crew rushed to the waiting machine, which took off moments later. Destination: a ferry off the British coast, just over 110 km from home.
The medic, a crew member with medical training, was downed to the ferry for immediate first aid. With his guide the helicopter hoisted the unfortunate man on board. The helicopter flew him to Margate, in the southeast England, where a medical team took care from there.
Three hours later, the NH90 Caiman returned to Koksijde base and the brand new helicopter wrote the first emergency intervention (or scramble) in his logbook. Defence will increasingly hold the new NH90 helicopter ready in the coming months for emergency calls. By the end of 2018, the NH90 will definitively replace the legendary Sea King.
The five-man crew picked up a man with heart problems from a ferry on British waters. The helicopter took him an English Hospital for further care.
The whole intervention was done at the request of the British authorities. At the time of the emergency the English rescue helicopter was in another rescue so they called for assistance to the Belgian 40th squadron at Koksijde.
Around 18:45 rang the scramble bell of the squadron. The crew rushed to the waiting machine, which took off moments later. Destination: a ferry off the British coast, just over 110 km from home.
The medic, a crew member with medical training, was downed to the ferry for immediate first aid. With his guide the helicopter hoisted the unfortunate man on board. The helicopter flew him to Margate, in the southeast England, where a medical team took care from there.
Three hours later, the NH90 Caiman returned to Koksijde base and the brand new helicopter wrote the first emergency intervention (or scramble) in his logbook. Defence will increasingly hold the new NH90 helicopter ready in the coming months for emergency calls. By the end of 2018, the NH90 will definitively replace the legendary Sea King.
See also |
NH90 in Force Aérienne Belge
40 Squadron Force Aérienne Belge Belgian Air Force
Belgian NH90 NFH Achieves IOC for SAR