Readers of our website will be familiar with the news reports we have been featuring recently on our familiarity training with the new HMCG SAR Helicopters.

Today sees the official start of the brand new Sikorsky S92 SAR Helicopter HMCG service, commencing operational call out deployments from its new base at Humberside International Airport.

HMCG SAR Helicopter Humberside provides operational SAR Helicopter coverage for the Lancashire and Greater Manchester areas, alongside other geographic areas.

Yesterday sadly saw the stand down of ‘E’ Flight, 202 Squadron, RAF Leconfield, who had formerly provided SAR Helicopter coverage under the military SAR provision (now privatised under HMCG) utilising the very familiar yellow painted Westland Sea King HAR Mk3 helicopter, and before that the Westland Wessex HAR Mk2 helicopter.

Whilst we in Bolton MRT will remember in passing with fondness the Sea King, Wessex and for two of our members even the Whirlwind, we now look forward to a great many years of working alongside the new Sikorsky S92s and Augusta Westland 189’s of HMCG.

All in Bolton MRT extend our best wishes to all at HMCG Humberside, for this new chapter in SAR Helicopter provision within Lancashire and Greater Manchester.