Bundeswehr, September 01, 2024 - Nordholz, Germany - On August 15, the Sea King helicopter landed for the last time at the Nordholz base near Cuxhaven, marking the end of its readiness to respond to air and sea emergencies.
After 14,645 search and rescue (SAR) missions, the "veteran" of naval aviation ended its impressive career, which spanned almost 50 years.
"I have many lasting memories of this helicopter, as it accompanied me for almost my entire naval career. It was a real workhorse with a fascinating range of applications," says Frigate Captain Thomas Richter, the longest-serving and most experienced Sea King pilot.
Together with Lieutenant Commander Jonas Weinrich, the youngest trained Sea King pilot in the SAR Squadron, Richter was deployed during the helicopter's final standby. For Weinrich, it was also "an honor to experience the beauty of naval aviation with this deserving helicopter." He looks forward to applying his skills on the NH-90 Sea Lion helicopter.
The Sea King was a reliable pillar of the rescue service for nearly five decades. It was used not only in Germany, during events such as the snow disasters of 1978/79 and 2010 or the floods on the Oder and Elbe rivers, but also internationally, including during the tsunami disaster in Indonesia in 2004/2005.
Now, the modern multi-purpose NH-90 Sea Lion helicopter will take over the SAR readiness tasks. "Today is a day of gratitude, not sadness. We should be thankful for the Sea King's achievements and look forward with optimism, as the NH-90 Sea Lion brings something new and good," emphasizes Captain Broder Nielsen, Commander of Naval Aviation.
The Sea King is entering its well-deserved retirement, but its history will remain with the naval aviators.
The Sea King and its replacement the NH90 Sea Lion
The Mk41 Sea King has been in service since the mid-1970s.
The primary role of this multi-purpose transport helicopter was search and rescue (SAR) operations in German maritime areas.
To fulfill this mission, naval aviation utilized its base in Nordholz near Cuxhaven, along with outstations on the North Sea islands of Borkum and Heligoland, as well as on the Baltic coast in Warnemünde. The Sea King could land on all German fleet ships equipped with a flight deck. It could also be accommodated as an onboard helicopter in the hangars of task force supply ships.
Starting in 2020, naval aviation began gradually replacing the Sea King with the modern multi-purpose helicopter NH90 NTH Sea Lion.
After 14,645 search and rescue (SAR) missions, the "veteran" of naval aviation ended its impressive career, which spanned almost 50 years.
"I have many lasting memories of this helicopter, as it accompanied me for almost my entire naval career. It was a real workhorse with a fascinating range of applications," says Frigate Captain Thomas Richter, the longest-serving and most experienced Sea King pilot.
Together with Lieutenant Commander Jonas Weinrich, the youngest trained Sea King pilot in the SAR Squadron, Richter was deployed during the helicopter's final standby. For Weinrich, it was also "an honor to experience the beauty of naval aviation with this deserving helicopter." He looks forward to applying his skills on the NH-90 Sea Lion helicopter.
The Sea King was a reliable pillar of the rescue service for nearly five decades. It was used not only in Germany, during events such as the snow disasters of 1978/79 and 2010 or the floods on the Oder and Elbe rivers, but also internationally, including during the tsunami disaster in Indonesia in 2004/2005.
Now, the modern multi-purpose NH-90 Sea Lion helicopter will take over the SAR readiness tasks. "Today is a day of gratitude, not sadness. We should be thankful for the Sea King's achievements and look forward with optimism, as the NH-90 Sea Lion brings something new and good," emphasizes Captain Broder Nielsen, Commander of Naval Aviation.
The Sea King is entering its well-deserved retirement, but its history will remain with the naval aviators.
Sea King Mk41
The Sea King and its replacement the NH90 Sea Lion
The Mk41 Sea King has been in service since the mid-1970s.
The primary role of this multi-purpose transport helicopter was search and rescue (SAR) operations in German maritime areas.
To fulfill this mission, naval aviation utilized its base in Nordholz near Cuxhaven, along with outstations on the North Sea islands of Borkum and Heligoland, as well as on the Baltic coast in Warnemünde. The Sea King could land on all German fleet ships equipped with a flight deck. It could also be accommodated as an onboard helicopter in the hangars of task force supply ships.
Starting in 2020, naval aviation began gradually replacing the Sea King with the modern multi-purpose helicopter NH90 NTH Sea Lion.
Nordholz Comments | Join community |
| You made a good Job. All the best and safe landings with your new one. Doc |
| machine war!!!!!!! |
| Yes, have been watching the posts online - really impressive paint jobs on both aircraft. Sad day but it's time... |
| A true airborne truck flying wise but a legend of reliability, versatility and ruggedness. One of the greatest helicopters ever. BZ. |
| farewell a great servant. |
See also |
Sea King in
Marineflieger MFG5
Marinefliegergeschwader 5 Marineflieger German Navy 
