Lynx + crew captured in Libya

[wamovements]

Do not know if this is the right spot, but a crew of a Dutch Lynx on a recovery mission for two civilians were attacked and witheld during action. The Helicopter operated out of the HMS Tromp.

The current status of the Helicopter is unknown, but more important, the status of three crewmembers is unknown as well.

[S&B extra]

SH-14D 277 appeared 25 or 26 February at Malta, most likely this was the one involved, scroll down in the following link:

http://www.fightercontrol.co.uk/forum/v ... 16&t=28367

Link with (Dutch) story. The story tells a pick up of two civilians went wrong near Sirte when the crew of three was stopped by armed goverment forces, Sunday 27 February. The civilians are safe out of the country after being handed over to the embassy but the crew of three is custody.

http://www.luchtvaartnieuws.nl/nl-NL/Ar ... fi_troepen

[Jaap]

Comments on the Dutch and following Libyan action can be found and made here

Jaap

[Arjan]

Footage on the TV confirms it is the 277

[Stratofreighter]

SH-14D 277 appeared 25 or 26 February at Malta, most likely this was the one involved

News footage of the Lynx as broadcast by a Khadafi-loyalist television station (see NOS TV journaal for this ) indeed clearly show the number "277"...

LINK to video: http://nos.nl/artikel/222994-staatstele ... nders.html ...

Clicking at http://nos.nl/l/tcm:5-912302/ starts the video instantly.

[mirage 69]

Female pilot:

http://nos.nl/artikel/222994-staatstele ... nders.html

Grtz Rene

[Canberra TT.18]

Hi,

Pictures show crew of 3 (inlcuding at least one woman)
helicopter is on the beach, so close to sea. They didn't fly inland it looks.

Addditional markings on tail of '277' Large dutch flag en NL .

maybe thought a quick pick up on the beach.

Pieter

[TF-104G]

a short video from BBC-news : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12645675

[Carl]

NRN 277 audio
http://www.dumpert.nl/mediabase/1389141 ... audio.html

[Stratofreighter]

http://www.nu.nl/binnenland/2465269/ned ... -vrij.html

The three Dutch crew members may be released in the very short term ! According to Libyan State Television they will be handed over to Greek and Maltese officials.

Of course it ain't over until the Dutchies have definitely landed on "safe soil", as it wouldn't be the first time some Libyan authorities have second thoughts at the last moment...

[F17_114PM]

Your fellow countryman should have arrived already in Athens, at this time:

http://www.defencenet.gr/defence/index. ... Itemid=139

[Malcolm Bezzina]

Currently sandwiched between Libya and dutch soldiers here are some more:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/vi ... anks-malta

[nils]

its a good thing the 3 soldiers are OK after being captured.
whats going to happen to the Lynx helicopter?

[michel N]

That probably is dependant on what happens in Libya. If Ghadaffi will stay in power, the Lynx will probably stay there for a while. For Ghadaffi it is something that proves we are not his friends. If the Ghadaffi is removed from power, a new government might be willing to give it back. But it might be that the Lynx will not be airworthy anymore. If it's still at the beach, and maybe will stay there for a while, I guess the salt and sand is not good for its health...

[aviodromefriend]

Whatever what, I think it is a safe bet not everyone that has touched the machine has all the right ticks in the boxes, so under all Dutch regulations it will not be airworthy anymore. But about being kept by Khadaffi: his son said

we will still keep the armed helicopter.

The word still could indicate that in some time it could be returned. If the Netherlands are interested in getting it back then, given the process of phasing out this type being on its way, remains to be seen.