Also known as The Pumas, Esq 751 is primarily a SAR helicopter unit, which also has a light-medium lift capability.
Esq 751 also maintains SAR detachments at Lajes in the Azores and Porto Santo in Madeira, so that the FAP can provide cover for Maritime Search & Rescue over its 5.8M km2 assigned area, (equivalent to more than half the area of Europe). On 1 Aug 2016, a second Merlin was permanently detached to Lajes.
Between 7 and 17 Sep 2018, the unit undertook its first Missão ao Estrangeiro, when it visited and displayed at Kleine Brogel (Belgium), Gilze-Rijen (Netherlands) and Merville (France) before returning to Montijo.
The unit has achieved a number of significant milestones, since its formation on 28 Apr 1978:
- On 4 Mar 2015, it was awarded the Sikorsky Humanitarian Service Award, for outstanding service in using helicopters to provide aid to those in need
- on 29 Sep 2017, it was the first ever Squadron to be admitted to the Portuguese Ordem Militar da Torre e Espada and
- on 20 Jan 2023, Esq 751 rescued its 5000th life.
News about Esquadra de Busca e Salvamento 751 |
Vita Rescue System Demo on FAP EH101
11-Jul-22 - Vita Inclinata demonstrated its Vita Rescue System (VRS) on the EH101 helicopter to the 751 Squadron of the Portuguese Air Force (FAP) #VRS
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Esquadra de Busca e Salvamento 751 Operations |
Dates | Operation | |
---|---|---|
2023-jun-07 | 2023-jun-23 | Hot Blade 2023 |
2023-jun-06 | 2023-jun-06 | Medevac from BBC Georgia |
2023-may-29 | 2023-jun-02 | Exercise Montijo Merlin |
2023-apr-15 | 2023-apr-16 | Rescue off Praia do Coelho |
2022-nov-18 | 2022-nov-18 | 6th Meeting of Rescue Swimmers Association |
2020-jul-28 | 2020-jul-29 | Rescue from f/v Aguas Santas |
2019-oct-14 | 2019-oct-16 | MORSA 2019 |
Hot Blade 2018 | ||
2018-jan-02 | 2018-jan-03 | Medevac from Cruise Liner Columbus |
2017-jul-24 | 2017-jul-24 | Medevac from Vega Virgo |
Hot Blade 2014 | ||
2013-nov-22 | 2013-nov-22 | Rescue from f/v Ghandhi |
Hot Blade 2013 | ||
Hot Blade 2012 | ||
2010-mar-30 | 2010-mar-30 | Rescue from mv Kea |
2000-may-12 | 2000-may-13 | 3rd visit of Pope John Paul II to Fatima |
1994-oct-04 | 1994-oct-06 | SAR meet 1994 |