Goodbye to Royal Norwegian Air Force Sea King

After more than 50 years of service, the Luftforsvaret (RNoAF, Royal Norwegian Air Force) will say goodbye to the Westland Sea King rescue helicopter. For this occasion, Sea King Mk43B serial 189 (c/n WA874) will make its last trip across Norway from 22 to 27 November 2023.

Sea King 189 will make its last flight on Monday 27 November 2023 from Stavanger/Sola (HQ 330 skvadron) via Lysebotn, Røldal, Odda, Torpomoen, Gol, Fagernes, Lillehammer, Hamar, Gardermoen, Kjeller, Oslo and Drammen to Rygge air base where the helicopter will be (temporary) stored.

Rygge is the last base where the Leonardo AW101 SAR Queen will take over the tasks and the emergency response from the Sea King.

The first RNoAF Sea King started its career as a Rescue helicopter in May 1973. From that point untill now, these helicopters have completed over 45.000 missions. The RNoAF have operated fourteen Sea King Mk43 rescue helicopters with 330 skv at Sola and the various 330 skv detachments spread across the country. One Sea King was lost in an accident on 30 April 1977.

Overview of the Sea King Mk43/Mk43B:

delivered 1972/1973: 060 (c/n WA746), 062 (c/n WA747), 066 (c/n WA748), 068 (c/n WA749), 069 (c/n WA750), 070 (c/n WA751), 071 (c/n WA752), 072 (c/n WA753), 073 (c/n WA754) and 074 (c/n WA755)
delivered September 1978: 189 (c/n WA874) as replacement for 072
delivered 1992 and 1996: 322 (c/n WA1005), 329 (c/n WA1011) and 330 (c/n WA1012)

In addition, the RNoAF received three former Royal Air Force Sea King HAR3A (serial ZH540, ZH541 and ZH543) for spares and instructional use in November/December 2015.

Credit photo: John B. Slaatmo