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40th Squadron Heli (Belgium)
Encyclopedia
The 40th Squadron Heli is a helicopter
squadron
in the Air Component
of the Belgian Armed Forces
. It is dedicated to search and rescue
operations. It operates 5 Westland Sea King Mk.48
helicopters, due to be replaced in 2011 with NHI NH90
helicopters. One of the Sea King helicopter, the RS01, has already been taken out of service and an other one, the RS05, have be painted in a other colour as celebration of 25 years service with the Sea King.
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
squadron
Squadron (aviation)
A squadron in air force, army aviation or naval aviation is mainly a unit comprising a number of military aircraft, usually of the same type, typically with 12 to 24 aircraft, sometimes divided into three or four flights, depending on aircraft type and air force...
in the Air Component
Belgian Air Force
The Air Component, formerly the Belgian Air Force, is the air arm of the Belgian Armed Forces. Originally founded in 1909, it is one of the world's first air forces, and was a pioneer in aerial combat during the First World War...
of the Belgian Armed Forces
Military of Belgium
The Belgian Army is the national military of Belgium. The Belgian Army was established after Belgium became independent in October 1830...
. It is dedicated to search and rescue
Search and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
operations. It operates 5 Westland Sea King Mk.48
Westland Sea King
The Westland WS-61 Sea King is a British licence-built version of the American Sikorsky S-61 helicopter of the same name, built by Westland Helicopters. The aircraft differs considerably from the American version, with Rolls-Royce Gnome engines , British made anti-submarine warfare systems and a...
helicopters, due to be replaced in 2011 with NHI NH90
NHI NH90
The NHIndustries NH90 is a medium sized, twin-engine, multi-role military helicopter manufactured by NHIndustries. The first prototype had its maiden flight in December 1995...
helicopters. One of the Sea King helicopter, the RS01, has already been taken out of service and an other one, the RS05, have be painted in a other colour as celebration of 25 years service with the Sea King.