On 15 February 2019, the 40th Squadron Heli, the helicopter squadron of the Belgian Air Force based at Koksijde Air Base performed the last search and rescue mission with its Westland Seaking Mk.48 (RS04).
With content, the Belgian Air Component – and their colleagues at 40th Squadron Heli – can look back on a successful career of this Westland Seaking Mk.48. Almost 43 years of service, the aircraft achieved 12,219 flight hours and performed 703 scrambles.
Now that RS04 has been taken out of service, the end of the Seaking era is fast approaching. The first two helicopters (RS03 and RS01) were taken out of the fleet on 17 December 2008 and 29 August 2013. On 21 March 2019, the very last Seaking Mk.48s (RS05) will perform her very last flight.
The 40th Squadron operates four NH90 NFH helicopters.
Last formation of three Belgian Air Force Sea King Mk48 helicopters performing navigation flight