HELO LANDS ON WELLINGTON FOR THE FIRST TIME
For the first time ever a Seasprite SH-2G helicopter landed onboard WELLINGTON- the Navy's newest Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV).
This was part of the continuing trials that WELLINGTON, which arrived in the country in June 2010, will undergo.
"The trial was the first stage in having a SH2G helicopter operating full time from an OPV at sea, during surveillance operations around New Zealand, the South Pacific and the Southern Ocean." the Commanding Officer of WELLINGTON, Lieutenant Commander Simon Griffiths explains.
The SH-2G will be used to support boarding operations and will be used to transport people and stores during various military support and humanitarian aid operations.
"The trial tested the ships capability to accept, support and store the helicopter onboard." The trial included a number of take offs and landings, simulated refuelling and storage of the SH-2G.
Further at sea integration trials are scheduled for 2011.
For more information on the Seapsrite SH-2G helicopter click here.