Belgian Air Force

40 Squadron

40 Escadrille Héli

Established 1974

History C/N Tracking

Formally created on 30 Oct 1974, from the four existing Heli Flights that had formed since 1961, flying a mixture of Sikorsky HSS-1, ex-Sabena S-58 and Alouette III in the SAR role. In 1976 the Sea King Mk.48 was introduced to 40 Sqdn and in Apr 1977 took over prime responsibility for SAR operations. The unit has been based at Koksijde (EBFN) since its formation.

On June 2015 Valerie and Eline became the first female crew on the NH90 NFH

News

Koksijde SAR Meet 2016

Oct 7, 2016 · Belgium with Austria, Germany and Poland taking part of Search and Rescue SAR Meet 2016 at Koksijde, October 10-14
Belgian NH90 First SAR Mission

Aug 28, 2015 · Belgium NH90 Kaaiman helicopter completed their first scramble rescue mission evacuating an ill cruise passenger in British waters
Belgian NH90 NFH Achieves IOC for SAR

Aug 21, 2015 · Belgian 40th Squadron achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for Search and Rescue (SAR) operations with the NH90 NFH helicopter

Locations

1974-

EBFN

Koksijde / Coxyde AB

Models

1974-1986	Sud Aviation HSS-1 Seabat
1974-1977	Sikorsky S-58C
1976-2018	Westland Sea King Mk.48
2013-	NH Industries NH90

Operations

04 Oct 19941994	06 Oct 19941994	SAR meet 1994
06 Mar 19971997	07 Mar 19971997	Rescue from ms Herald of Free Enterprise
26 Jun 20082008	27 Jun 20082008	SAR Meet 2008
May 20092009		SAR meet 2009
17 May 20102010	21 May 20102010	SAR meet 2010
01 May 20122012	02 May 20122012	AirMed and Rescue 2012
22 Sep 20142014	25 Sep 20142014	SAR meet 2014
20 May 20152015		THPU 2015
14 Nov 20162016	02 Dec 20162016	Black Blade 2016
27 Sep 20212021	01 Oct 20212021	Galileo Search and Rescue Meet 2021

Ships

19 Apr 20072007

Apr 20072007

Godetia (A960)

West India Dock (TQ) · noted at West India Dock with Alouette III M-2 ranged on deck.

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