PAF's Search & Rescue squadron re-equipped with Agusta copters

[Muhammad Omar]

Pakistan Air Force achieved a significant milestone on Saturday when its No 88 Search & Rescue squadron was re-equipped with AW-139 (Agusta Westland) helicopters.

With the induction of this state of the art helicopter on its inventory, the Search & Rescue squadron has been renamed as No 88 Combat Support Squadron and Advanced Helicopter Training School.

To mark this significant event in the glowing history of PAF, a ceremony was held at PAF Base, Shahbaz (Jacobabad) where Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman was the chief guest.

On this occasion, Air Chief reviewed a smartly turned out guard of honour by the personnel of the Base.

A three-ship formation, comprising 01 MI 171 and 02 AW 139 Agusta helicopters, presented the fly past over the venue.

Addressing at the ceremony, the Air Chief said, “PAF, after an in-depth analysis of the Search & Rescue platforms available worldwide, selected AW-139 as the most effective solution for its requirements. The state-of-the-art machine that we have inducted is a manifestation of stern commitment of the Pakistan Air Force to modernization and capability enhancement. I firmly believe that this will become a stepping stone in achieving more complex capabilities as regard to the Helo fleet.

The AW-139 promises a feature of enhancing PAF capability due to its versatile roles. The vision of taking Helo fleet of PAF into 21st century could not have been achieved any other way”. He further said, “Today, Alhamdulillah; the long awaited vision of PAF to acquire Night and maritime Search & Rescue capability has been achieved with the AW-139 operationalisation”.

The induction of AW-139 helicopters would considerably enhance the operational capabilities of the squadron which was flying vintage MI 171 helicopters earlier. Being a pioneer squadron of AW-139 helicopters in PAF, it would also serve as a conversion unit for the young pilots to train them on this system.

High ranking military officials along with civil dignitaries also attended the ceremony

 

[khanasifm]

So paf Alouette will be replaced by aw in future one sqn at a time in 10-15 years time ??

Pak army also got 2, are both going for aw platform in the long run ??

Plus another 4-6 already in pak non military for vip and other duties with army/paf/ disaster MGMT so currently double digit fleet across multiple services

http://www.leonardocompany.com/docu...flight_hours_27_12_2017_ENG.pdf?download_file

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/AgustaWestland_AW139

 

[ghazi52]

Nice development.

 

[Gryphon]

So paf Alouette will be replaced by aw in future one sqn at a time in 10-15 years time ??

Pak army also got 2, are both going for aw platform in the long run ??

Both Army and Air Force placed orders for the AW139 after extensive trials, which points to a major adoption.

AWnewsletter
Summer 2016

AW139:
UNRIVALLED PERFORMANCES IN A CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT

In July, our best selling AW139 intermediate twin-engine
helicopter arrived in Pakistan on a ferry flight, to carry
out trials where it showed outstanding hot and high
altitude performance and mission capabilities.
The central desert area of Multan, where temperatures
reached 49°C, was the location of part of the trials,
which lasted a couple of weeks. Other trials were
conducted in the northern areas of the Karakoram Range
where the helicopter was tested to demonstrate its
operational capabilities in hot and high environments.
The flight programme in desert areas included
demonstrations of the AW139s tactical low level flight
capabilities and the ability to shut down and restart
engines in just one minute. High altitude performance
flights included take-offs and landings on unprepared
surfaces at 16,300 feet density altitude and flights at
20,000 ft pressure altitude.
The most demanding missions in terms of altitude
and temperature were all performed with at least
eight passengers and two pilots on board, in a fully
mission equipped configuration, including a passenger
transport layout with up to 12 seats, air conditioning, a
comprehensive avionic package encompassing TCAS
II (Traffic Collision Avoidance System), HF radio, plus
rescue hoist and cargo hook provisions.
The challenging trials programme was planned to cover
different missions and was performed including fuel
for well in excess of one hour of flight plus required
reserves, even in the most demanding conditions. The
aircraft demonstrated significant power index margins,
highlighting its unrivalled performance and handling
capabilities in an extremely challenging environment.
The AW139 confirmed itself as being a preferred choice
for military and commercial customers around the
world. Its excellent features and capabilities have led to
the signature with the Government of Pakistan for two
different contracts for AW139 helicopters which are to
be used for transport and EMS mission, or to perform
search and rescue across the nation.

http://www.leonardocompany.com/documents/63265270/70978588/body_Newsletter_Summer_2016.pdf

 

[muhammadali233]

View attachment 457262 View attachment 457263
Pakistan Air Force achieved a significant milestone on Saturday when its No 88 Search & Rescue squadron was re-equipped with AW-139 (Agusta Westland) helicopters.

With the induction of this state of the art helicopter on its inventory, the Search & Rescue squadron has been renamed as No 88 Combat Support Squadron and Advanced Helicopter Training School.

To mark this significant event in the glowing history of PAF, a ceremony was held at PAF Base, Shahbaz (Jacobabad) where Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman was the chief guest.

On this occasion, Air Chief reviewed a smartly turned out guard of honour by the personnel of the Base.

A three-ship formation, comprising 01 MI 171 and 02 AW 139 Agusta helicopters, presented the fly past over the venue.

Addressing at the ceremony, the Air Chief said, “PAF, after an in-depth analysis of the Search & Rescue platforms available worldwide, selected AW-139 as the most effective solution for its requirements. The state-of-the-art machine that we have inducted is a manifestation of stern commitment of the Pakistan Air Force to modernization and capability enhancement. I firmly believe that this will become a stepping stone in achieving more complex capabilities as regard to the Helo fleet.

The AW-139 promises a feature of enhancing PAF capability due to its versatile roles. The vision of taking Helo fleet of PAF into 21st century could not have been achieved any other way”. He further said, “Today, Alhamdulillah; the long awaited vision of PAF to acquire Night and maritime Search & Rescue capability has been achieved with the AW-139 operationalisation”.

The induction of AW-139 helicopters would considerably enhance the operational capabilities of the squadron which was flying vintage MI 171 helicopters earlier. Being a pioneer squadron of AW-139 helicopters in PAF, it would also serve as a conversion unit for the young pilots to train them on this system.

High ranking military officials along with civil dignitaries also attended the ceremony

Very old news,Why post this now?
88 CSR sqd inducted it back in 2017,they were also assembled here in PAK.
Air force Ordered it in 2016 and also showcased it in the F-9 airshow

 

[hassan1]

 

[haroonn]

The two Mi-17s previously operated by No.88 sqd, I assume, will be going to a new SAR at PAF Bholari ??

 

[Imran Khan]

 

[khanasifm]

So paf bought and delivered 2 aw-139 and army another 2 in 2017 ??

 

[mdmm]

I am a Pakistani in North America.Kindly let us know, how many new Westland AW 139 Helicopters were added by PAF , in Squadren # 88 yesterday, March 2018. What is new total Copters numbers in PAF, as of today ?

 

[SQ8]

I am a Pakistani in North America.Kindly let us know, how many new Westland AW 139 Helicopters were added by PAF , in Squadren # 88 yesterday, March 2018. What is new total Copters numbers in PAF, as of today ?

What location in North America would that be?

 

[STRANGER BIRD]

Pak Air Force & Pak Army AW139

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Lovely addition 80-100 choppers would be nice to repace the french choppers from 70's

• However was really expecting 18 Agusta Choppers to join Pakistani Military needs. 2 Chopper is a very modest number

 

[syed_yusuf]

Lovely addition 80-100 choppers would be nice to repace the french choppers from 70's

• However was really expecting 18 Agusta Choppers to join Pakistani Military needs. 2 Chopper is a very modest number

the number i come to know last year was 13 -15 for PAF, so definitely some more on order.

 

[PakShaheen79]

With service ceiling 20,000 ft. it is ideal for S&R ops anywhere in Pakistan.

Avionics:

• Cockpit Voice Recorder & Flight Data Recorder (CVR/FDR)
• Weather radar
• Weather/search radar
• 4-axis Digital Automatic Flight Control System (DAFCS) with SAR modes & FMS SAR patterns
• Mode S diversity transponder with Extended Squitter (ADSB-Out)
• Two GPS modules (GNSS/SBAS - Global Navigation Satellite System/Satellite Based Augmentation System)
• Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS)
• Helicopter Operations Monitoring Programme (HOMP)
• NVG compatibility (cockpit, cabin & external lights)
• SATCOM Iridium satellite phone
• TCAS I & II
• FLIR
• Digital HD video recorder
• Video downlink
• Helicopter Emergency Exit Light System (HEELS)
• Auto-Deployable ELT (ADELT)
• Moving map
• Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS)
• Enhanced Vision System (EVS)
• HF radios
• Tactical radios
• Maritime radios
  http://www.leonardocompany.com/en/-/aw139