Norway has been learning from Scandinavian neighbour Denmark as its Coast Guard prepares to operate MH-60R Seahawk helicopters.
Six new MH-60R Seahawk helicopters are due to be delivered to the Coast Guard in the years ahead and to help ensure its crews are ready to receive the new platforms, Norwegian crews have been training in Denmark, which has been operating the helicopters for some years.
As per a Norwegian Armed Forces press statement, earlier this month a Norwegian crew landed an MH-60R Seahawk on a Norwegian Coast Guard offshore patrol vessel, KV Jan Mayen, for the first time. The helicopter itself was Danish, but it was being flown by a Norwegian crew.
Commander of the newly re-established 337 Squadron, Lieutenant Colonel Kjetil Bjørkum, dubbed the moment “a major milestone for the entire maritime helicopter community.”
He added: “The collaboration with Denmark gives us valuable experience and means that we are well prepared.”
And Commander of KV Jan Mayen Jonas Lauten commented: “With Seahawk standing on deck, it gives us further motivation to continue working to provide the Coast Guard with a much-needed capacity. This will strengthen our ability to carry out missions such as law enforcement, search and rescue, and resource control in our sea areas.”
The statement noted: “For the Air Force, this training provides practical experience in operating across systems and nations. For the Coast Guard, it means increased ability to receive and support various types of helicopters at sea, which is crucial for search and rescue, enforcement and surveillance in Norwegian waters.”
Alongside the OPV helicopter landing, armed forces from both nations were conducting joint anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training as part of Exercise Pandion. The manoeuvres saw Danish Seahawk helicopters working with the Norwegian submarine service.
- You can read more details on the Norwegian Armed Forces website