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Danish Sea Kings take to the air for the last time
April 07, 2011
The Danish Air Force has flown its S-61 Sea King helicopters for the last time, it has emerged.
The SAR helicopters were removed from operational service last year after a career spanning some 45 years.
The aircraft have been replaced by the EH101 Merlin and while the S-61s were kept on standby, they have only ever flown on maintenance check flights.
However, now the Danish Defence Material Service, the Forsvarets Materieltjeneste, has decided to halt all S-61 flying.
The last flight was made by S-61 U-276 on 5 April.
Commanding the aircraft was Captain AB Thomsen, while the rest of the crew consisted of Captain Bo B. Larsen as the second pilot, Staff Sergeant Frank Olsson and Staff Sergeant FM Hansen.
The trip lasted 40 minutes, and at 14:34 the helicopter landed for the last time at Karup Air Base.
'It is both sad and gratifying to say goodbye to the helicopter,' said Captain Larsen.
'A bit sad for me personally, but gratifying for the crew that now works with the new rescue helicopters. They are a great step forward,' he added.
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