Helis, October 17, 2025 - Bardufoss, Norway — The landing on KV Jan Mayen marks an important step in Norway’s efforts to rebuild its maritime helicopter capacity and represents a clear milestone for the Royal Norwegian Air Force.
The event took place just one day after the re-establishment of 337 Squadron at the 131 Air Wing in Bardufoss, symbolizing a new chapter in the nation’s operational capability at sea.
Lieutenant Colonel Kjetil Bjørkum, Commander of 337 Squadron, said: “This is a major milestone for the entire maritime helicopter community.”
A Norwegian crew conducted the landing on KV Jan Mayen using a Danish helicopter. The Norwegian pilots and technicians are part of an exchange program with Denmark, where they receive training on the Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk system.
Denmark has operated the helicopter type since 2017, and its experience is proving essential in preparing Norway to operate its own fleet.
Norwegian MH-60R crew
The program is a joint initiative between the Air Force, the Coast Guard, and Defence Materiel, ensuring Norwegian personnel gain the necessary expertise before six new MH-60R Seahawks are delivered to the Coast Guard in the coming years.
Bjørkum added: “The collaboration with Denmark gives us valuable experience and means that we are well prepared when the Norwegian helicopters enter operational service.”
During the exercise, both air and naval personnel received valuable cross-deck training — a procedure in which a helicopter from one nation operates from another country’s vessel. This demanding practice enhances coordination, communication, and technical proficiency. For the Air Force, it provides hands-on experience in multinational operations; for the Coast Guard, it strengthens the ability to support various helicopter types at sea, vital for search and rescue, enforcement, and surveillance in Norwegian waters.
Royal Danish Air Force MH-60R Seahawk
In parallel, Norwegian and Danish crews participated in Exercise PANDION 25 off Haakonsvern, conducting anti-submarine warfare drills between Danish Seahawks and the Norwegian submarine service under challenging North Sea conditions.
Ship Commander Jonas Lauten of KV Jan Mayen described the landing as: “The result of broad efforts across professional communities.”
The Chief of the Coast Guard, Flag Officer Lars E. Lilleng, emphasized the continued cooperation with 337 Squadron to ensure readiness when Norway’s own aircraft arrive.
Bjørkum concluded: “The re-establishment of 337 Squadron and the first landing on a Norwegian vessel mark a significant shift for the Air Force. This work is not just about new helicopters, but about building a complete and modern operational system.”
With strengthened partnerships and experience gained from Denmark, the Air Force and Coast Guard are taking a major step toward delivering a robust and flexible maritime helicopter capability for operations in the north and under demanding conditions.
The event took place just one day after the re-establishment of 337 Squadron at the 131 Air Wing in Bardufoss, symbolizing a new chapter in the nation’s operational capability at sea.
Lieutenant Colonel Kjetil Bjørkum, Commander of 337 Squadron, said: “This is a major milestone for the entire maritime helicopter community.”
A Norwegian crew conducted the landing on KV Jan Mayen using a Danish helicopter. The Norwegian pilots and technicians are part of an exchange program with Denmark, where they receive training on the Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk system.
Denmark has operated the helicopter type since 2017, and its experience is proving essential in preparing Norway to operate its own fleet.
Norwegian MH-60R crew
The program is a joint initiative between the Air Force, the Coast Guard, and Defence Materiel, ensuring Norwegian personnel gain the necessary expertise before six new MH-60R Seahawks are delivered to the Coast Guard in the coming years.
Bjørkum added: “The collaboration with Denmark gives us valuable experience and means that we are well prepared when the Norwegian helicopters enter operational service.”
During the exercise, both air and naval personnel received valuable cross-deck training — a procedure in which a helicopter from one nation operates from another country’s vessel. This demanding practice enhances coordination, communication, and technical proficiency. For the Air Force, it provides hands-on experience in multinational operations; for the Coast Guard, it strengthens the ability to support various helicopter types at sea, vital for search and rescue, enforcement, and surveillance in Norwegian waters.
Royal Danish Air Force MH-60R Seahawk
In parallel, Norwegian and Danish crews participated in Exercise PANDION 25 off Haakonsvern, conducting anti-submarine warfare drills between Danish Seahawks and the Norwegian submarine service under challenging North Sea conditions.
Ship Commander Jonas Lauten of KV Jan Mayen described the landing as: “The result of broad efforts across professional communities.”
The Chief of the Coast Guard, Flag Officer Lars E. Lilleng, emphasized the continued cooperation with 337 Squadron to ensure readiness when Norway’s own aircraft arrive.
Bjørkum concluded: “The re-establishment of 337 Squadron and the first landing on a Norwegian vessel mark a significant shift for the Air Force. This work is not just about new helicopters, but about building a complete and modern operational system.”
With strengthened partnerships and experience gained from Denmark, the Air Force and Coast Guard are taking a major step toward delivering a robust and flexible maritime helicopter capability for operations in the north and under demanding conditions.
Kystvakten OPV KV Jan Mayen (W310)
Bardufoss See also |
MH-60R Seahawk in
Luftforsvaret MH-60R Seahawk in
Flyvevåbnet Jan Mayen ( W310, Jan Mayen class ) 337 skvadron Luftforsvaret Royal Norwegian Air Force 
Helicopters Flight School - Training Military 
