Aiг Centeг’s H225s contribute to the US Aiг Foгce Paгaгescue’s achievement of operational excellence through offshore training.
The U.S. Air Force partnered with Air Center Helicopters’ H225s for conducting specialized training in offshore rescue operations, equipping them for real-life rescue missions in the field.
With its fleet of 16 H225s and 4 H125s, Air Center Helicopters has earned a strong reputation in the industry for its extensive operational expertise and capabilities. They handle a diverse range of missions, including personnel recovery, medical evacuation, firefighting, and even scientific research in Antarctica on behalf of the U.S. National Science Foundation. Recently, they provided support to a specialized U.S. Air Force training unit focused on Special Operations Pararescue. This marked the culmination of an intensive skill enhancement program, preparing them for rescue operations in more demanding offshore environments.
“With each class accommodating 12 individuals, the H225 proves to be the perfect aircraft for such missions. Its capability to undertake longer-duration flights while efficiently accommodating that number of passengers without the need for refueling trips makes the H225 an all-in-one solution. As Air Center is also engaged in personnel recovery operations in Africa, we have witnessed these individuals’ journey from the very start of their training until their actual operations in the field. They receive training on the H225 and later encounter these same helicopters during their real-world rescue missions abroad,” explained Ben Fox, the Special Missions Assistant Program Manager at Air Center.
To prepare these highly skilled operators for real-world military operations, the U.S. Air Force enlisted the support of Air Center’s H225s in a recent offshore rescue training course. Spanning five days, the upgrade course encompassed various operational scenarios where pararecues were tasked with employing advanced tactical strategies to tackle challenging missions, such as assisting stranded boats or rescuing injured passengers from downed aircraft in remote offshore locations. Pararescuemen utilized a range of techniques, including parachute drops and water deployments, to reach the patients and communicate with the H225 for their safe recovery. The patients, along with the parajumpers, were then hoisted from the water and brought aboard the helicopter for further medical assessment and secure transport.
As part of the Special Warfare community, Pararescuemen, affectionately known as “PJs,” are highly skilled experts in tactical and technical rescue operations, equipped with advanced medical capabilities. They are entrusted by the Department of Defense and the U.S. Air Force to retrieve injured airmen in challenging and potentially hostile environments. With their exceptional proficiency in parachuting, combat scuba diving, high-angle rescue, and emergency medical care, PJs undergo regular training to further refine their abilities, establishing themselves as an exceptionally capable rescue team. Air Center has entered into a contract with Airbus Helicopters to fulfill their material support and spare parts requirements for their helicopter fleet, which includes a dedicated stock of spare parts. Presently, HCare coverage extends to 13 out of the 16 H225s in Air Center’s fleet.
