Search and rescue helicopters - an introduction

In this series I'll be exploring the world of search and rescue helicopters. As you know, I've got a passion for aviation and love to photograph aircraft wherever they are. I'll be highlighting the helicopters you might see overhead when for instance a medical doctor needs to be flown in fast in an emergency situation or someone is lost out at sea. These are dedicated rescue helicopters but I will also include military search and rescue (SAR), fire brigade and law enforcement helicopters. 

Croatian EC-135 EC-KPA, a rescue helicopter leased from Spain.

Most nations have rescue stations around the country in order to cover their entire country. Take the Netherlands for example, they have seven stations distributed in the northern, western and southern parts of the country. The eastern part is covered by German stations near the border as part of an international agreement. Five of the stations are manned by ANWB Medical Air Assistance crews operating a fleet of EC-135 and EC-145 helicopters. The EC-135's use the call sign Lifeliner and the EC-145's Medic. The other two stations are manned by the Dutch Coast Guard flying AW.189's, they use the call signs Coast Guard and Rescue.

EC-135 D-HZSH from the German Interior Ministry.

Germany is another country with a vast network of rescue stations. There are seven organisations providing rescue service: ADAC Luftrettung (35 stations), DRF Luftrettung (28 stations), the Interior Ministry (12 stations), the Bundeswehr (5 stations), Johanniter Luftrettung (4 stations), Northern Helicopter (3 stations) and Heli-Flight (1 station). Most use the call sign Christoph while the Bundeswehr uses SAR. And like Germany and the Netherlands many states and countries have their own recue network.

I'll be sharing shots in this series whenever I encounter a SAR helicopter on my travels so stay tuned!

Sometimes a SAR aircraft isn't even a helicopter! DHC-8 C-FCGE of the Dutch Coast Guard.

AW.189 9M-BOE of the Malaysian fire department.

Although not part of the organic Dutch SAR coverage the Dutch NH-90NFH's are available as additional SAR aircraft.

Click on the photographs to enlarge