Koksijde 21/08/2015 - Belgian Sea King Mk.48 & NH90 NFH Caiman

[Homebee]

On August 21st, 2015, the Belgian Air Component NH90 NFH Caimans have reached their Initial Operation Capability (IOC) and were declared "being able to participate in the SAR (SATER & SAMAR) role". From Monday August 24th they will partly replace the ageing Sea King Mk.48 in the SAR H24 alert role at Koksijde airbase (EBFN). The 40 Sqn HELI currently operates 3x NH90 NHF (RN-01, RN-02 & RN-03), 3x Sea King Mk.48 (RS-02, RS-04 & RS-05) as well as 3x Alouette III (M-1, M-2 & M-3). A fourth - and last - NH90 NFH (RN-04) will be delivered in April 2016. It's planned to fully replace the Sea King by late 2018 and the Alouette III by 2021.

V.P.

Edited August 23, 2015 by Homebee

[Evalman]

_{Very nice set. I'll be sorry to see the Sea King retire but have to admit the NH90 is growing on me.}

Edited August 26, 2015 by Evalman