It is official: from now on the NH90 Nato Frigate Helicopters can be used for Search and Rescue (SAR) operations. On Friday August 21st an official handover ceremony took place in the air base of Koksijde.
The NH90 is to replace the Seaking in the long run. In 2007 the order was placed and last year the helicopters were delivered. The NH90 already took part in the Navy Days, Belgium's national parade on July 21st and a rescue exercise on the coast. However, from now on they can officially be deployed for SAR operations. At the same time, the crew continues with the training programme, now embarking on a training module focusing on embarking the helicopters aboard a frigate.
The Seaking helicopters will continue to be used as well, until completion of all training modules for all crew members, by the end of 2017
