Search and Rescue (SAR)
Inside the high-altitude rescue operations of Argentina’s Lama Squadron
The Lama Squadron is the only air unit in South America that has reached the highest peak on the continent and is one of the few helicopter units equipped for high-altitude rescue missions. AirForces Monthly explains how they can operate above 16,500ft
UK donates Sea King helicopters to aid Ukraine’s fight against Russia
As part of its latest military aid package to Ukraine, the UK MOD revealed on November 23 that three Westland Sea King helicopters have been donated to the war-torn country to provide additional key capabilities to the Ukrainian Armed Forces as it continues to fight off Russian invaders
Spain's venerable Sea King fleet bows out of service
The venerable Sea King has finally retired from Spanish Navy duties. AirForces Monthly examines the impact of the iconic helicopter that served for 56 years
French Navy receives first SAR-configured H160 helicopter
France’s defence procurement agency, the Direction Generale de l’Armament (DGA; General Directorate of Armament), has delivered the first Airbus Helicopters H160B to the French Navy
RAF launches Poseidon on first SAR mission
An RAF-operated Boeing P-8A Poseidon MRA1 maritime patrol aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, Scotland, was launched to help rescue two transatlantic rowers on August 18, marking the first time the type has been deployed to support an active SAR operation
Canada's CC-295 programme suffers as IOC delayed by up to four years
The initial operational capability date for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s growing fleet of new Airbus CC-295 Kingfisher fixed-wing search and rescue aircraft has been delayed from this summer to the 2025-2026 timeframe
The RAF's last search and rescue unit marks 50 years of helicopter ops
We explore the past and present of the RAF’s sole remaining search-and-rescue unit, as it celebrates a momentous milestone this year
Portuguese P-3C Orion supports search for missing adventurer
While the P-3C maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) might more commonly be associated with anti-submarine warfare operations, one of, if not the most, important missions the type will regularly undertake will be that of search and rescue (SAR)
UK seeks commercial solution for maritime rotary SAR
The UK Ministry of Defence has published a request for information for the commercial provision of rotary wing search and rescue for maritime counter-terrorism training
Argentine Trackers: The world's last Grumman S-2s
The Argentine Navy is the world’s last military operator of the turbine equipped Grumman S-2 Tracker, with a single example still being used for ASW and SAR missions over the South Atlantic. We investigate