Airbus Helos Get Workout During Simulated Rescue Scenarios

Airbus customer Air Center Helicopters took part in a USAF pararescue training exercise, lending a portion of its fleet to train offshore rescue operations. 

Air Center was a prime candidate to assist with the training, being the proud owner of 16 H225s and 4 H125s for use in their transport operations. Their body of expertise allowed them to bring that knowledge to bear during a skill level upgrade course for the Air Force’s premier Special Operators. The Pararescumen called upon Air Center’s H225s, using the aircraft throughout a 5-day session to simulate a variety of rescue situations from offshore aircraft downed in far flung waters and sinking ships. 

“With each class consisting of 12 people, the H225 is the ideal aircraft for this type of mission; with its ability to fly longer-duration missions and still pick up that amount of people without having to go back and forth for fuel, the H225 is really a one stop shop,” said Ben Fox, the special missions assistant program manager at Air Center. His office routinely oversees collaborative training events like this one, allowing both company crews and clients to sharpen their skills in real world, unpredictable environments. Throughout the week, the H225s were used as deployment points for swimming pararescue airmen, dropped into the water to recover, assess, and hoist the simulated patients into the cabin above. The helicopter has made a name for itself as the premier rescue aircraft in its category, combining considerable lifting capabilities with a spacious, roomy cabin suited to crew and patient transport with space to spare. Best of all, the H225 is a sturdy, reliable workhorse according to Air Center. 

“It’s important to have an experienced crew for these types of missions - who know what the PJs in the water need - as well as a reliable helicopter. Our maintenance personnel keep us in the air at a 99 percent mission capable rate, which speaks volumes about the ease of maintenance and the skill of our guys,” said Fox. 

The Air Center fleet is now a contracted client of Airbus Helicopters, now under their care to provide material support and spare parts for the company’s Airbus equipment. The deal includes dedicated spare parts consignment stock, allowing the company to virtually guarantee functionality for 13 Air Center H225s. 

FMI: www.airbus.com