Rotorhub
Swedish Helicopter units prepare for worldwide operations
The first Swedish AgustaWestland AW109s - locally designated Hkp15 - have been modified in Italy ready for anti-piracy operations in Africa.
The helicopters will then be sent to Djibouti in Africa ready to begin operations in the Gulf of Aden in the coming weeks.
The two AW109s heading to Djibouti and will operate from Swedish Navy ships including the HMS Carlskrona which will leave Sweden on March 13. One of the helicopters will be onboard, the other will be transported to Djibouti in the back of a cargo plane.
'Now we move from planning to action. It has been a lot of work to solve these issues. A commitment that the entire squadron is involved in, in various ways,' said Magnus Westerlund, director of helicopter squadron.
The modifications made to the AW109s include the fitting of a sand filter and mounting brackets for ballistic protection.
The other helicopters on strength will be modified later, not in Italy, but in Belgium. These helicopters are painted in green camouflage and must be prepared to operate in virtually anywhere in the world from January 2011.
Apart from the operations the squadron will be involved in Swedish helicopter units are also getting ready for a major winter exercise in the area of Abisko. All three helicopter squadrons are participating from Luleå, Linköping and Ronneby. The fleet will also be involved in a major international exercise in Spain during the summer.
There is a huge momentum now in terms of Swedish helicopter operations. Part of the squadron is preparing for an operation in Afghanistan using the Hkp10B (Super Puma).
The aircraft will be used to provide medical services in the north of the country. The operation will begin in April 2011 and last for two years. The unit will be based at Camp Marmal, Mazar-e-Sharif.
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