Category Archives: Emergency Services

Saviours of the North

Gallery 30 September 2024 Niek van der Zande

In the north of Italy, nestled between the Lago Maggiore and the Lago di Como, lies the airfield of Venegono. Besides being the location where Leonardo Aircraft constructs their training aircraft, this place is also the base for the Sezione Aerea Varese of the Guardia di Finanza (Italian fiscal police). This small unit, which is equipped with three helicopters, falls operationally under the Reparto Operativo Aeronavale Como.

The Guardia di Finanza is an Italian law enforcement agency charged with enforcing financial laws and regulations, as well as combating tax evasion, financial fraud, smuggling and other financial crimes. The name can be translated as “Financial Guard” or “Financial Guard” in Dutch.

It is a military police service, but it falls under the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Italy. It has its own hierarchy and is divided into several units, including units for tax inspection, border control, financial investigations and special units for combating organized crime.

The Guardia di Finanza has national jurisdiction over financial crimes and operations, but also cooperates internationally with other law enforcement agencies, particularly in the areas of cross-border financial crimes and tax evasion.

Members of the Guardia di Finanza undergo rigorous training and must possess both military and law enforcement skills. They are recruited from citizens who meet specific requirements and must go through a strict selection process.

The Guardia di Finanza is charged with a wide range of tasks, including the supervision of taxes, customs, financial crimes, money laundering, illegal trade and protecting economic interests of the Italian state. Other main tasks include aerial surveillance to detect illegal dumping and water extraction or pollution. The GdF’s air and naval assets are fundamental to carrying out these tasks and its daily presence in the air and at sea makes its search and rescue (SAR) activities important. The GdF is also deployed to provide support in national emergencies – for example during the Covid-19 pandemic, when GdF aircraft and helicopters transported medicines, medical staff and patients in isolation units.

Volpe501 over the port of Bellagio at the Lago di Como

The Guardia di Finanza, as a police and armed force, is an integral part of the “National System of Civil Protection”, the corps must deploy trained personnel and air-sea equipment to face crisis situations within a complex system that requires the interaction of many institutional actors and it can respond quickly and effectively even in unpredictable situations subordinate to the primary institutional tasks.

Every year, thousands of people are rescued in very dangerous situations by officers involved in situations such as the collapse of the Morandi Bridge in Genoa, weather emergencies and hydrological problems in several areas of the country and seismic events in the province of Catania. They are engaged in the search for missing persons, the rescue of people in difficulties, the fight against looting, the viability of damaged areas, the flight missions for qualified personnel and the transport of civilians and the reconnaissance missions using air-sea equipment and personnel of the “Anti-Terrorism and Rapid Response Service” and “Alpine Rescue of Customs Officers”.

The Guardia di Finanza also ensures support for public security in the mountain areas, through the Alpine Rescue Department, which is divided into many stations, spread throughout the country, dedicated to search and rescue operations and the protection of human lives.

The personnel working in this area are trained with support dog units at the Alpine School in Predazzo (Trent), using advanced techniques that provide the opportunity to work on snow, ice, cliffs and in case of emergency.

Alpine Rescue Units can achieve a certain level of broad and rapid operational projection. Their functions have been further expanded by important initiatives in training, order, organization and technical-logistical areas, allowing Alpine Rescue to use technological equipment in certain emergency situations and in the performance of police tasks.

Operationally, the Guardia di Finanza is organized as follows:

Territorial commands

• Six interregional commands

• Regional commands, one for each of the 20 Italian regions.

• Provincial commands, one for each Italian province.

Territorial units

• 74 Groups (including five Counter-Terrorism Rapid Reaction Groups)

• 104 Financial Police Units

• 198 companies

• 202 Lieutenant Units (Stations)

• 48 Brigades

• 26 mountain rescue stations

Aviation and naval units

• 15 Aeronaval operational units

o 16 Naval stations

o 41 Operational Marine Sections

o 13 Aviation Sections

Special departments

• Organized Crime Investigation Group (GICO):

• Counter-Drug Operations Group (GOA):

• Gruppo Anticrimine Tecnologico (GAT):

• Group for the protection of archaeological heritage: group for the recovery of stolen art

• Anti-terrorism Ready Deployment (ATPI): anti-terrorism and rapid response service

• Police dog department (K9).

The AB.412 is gradually phased out with the Guardi di Finanza with the arrival of the new AW.169s

The Guardia di Finanza aviation service has the following aircraft and helicopters:

Airplanes

• ATR.42-400MP

• P-72B (ATR.72MP)

• P.180 Avanti

Helicopters

• A.109

• AB.412

• AW.139

• AW.169

• NH.500

The Reparto Operative Aeronavale – Como

The ROANs (Reparti Operativi Aeronavali) of the Guardia di Finanza were created on January 1, 2000. They are the fundamental link in the command and control chain of the regional air force. Stationed in Genoa, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Cagliari, Naples, Vibo Valentina, Palermo, Bari, Termoli, Pescara, Ancona, Rimini, Venice, Trieste and Como, they carry out, with the help of air and naval assets, a constant and capillary control on the territory, inland waters, the territorial sea and the adjacent area.

The main role of the ROANs is to coordinate all operational and logistical activities of the departments under their command and to provide personnel management. At organizational level they are equal to the Provincial Commands.

The ROAN in Como reports directly to the Lombardy regional command of the Guardi di Finanza in Milan.

The departments covered by the ROAN in Como are the Sezione Area Varese based in Venegono Superiore and the Naval Station of Lake Como with the dependent maritime operational departments of Lake Maggiore (Cannobio), Lake Garda (Salò) and Lake Lugano (Casamoro – Porto Ceresio).

Sezione Aerea Guardia di Finanza Varese

Sine metu omnia aude – dare everything without fear

In 1958, after the introduction into service of a new helicopter, the Agusta-Bell AB.47J, a natural replacement for the less powerful AB.47G and with a cabin that allowed the carriage of any passengers, the first ‘Mountain’ Helicopter Section was established set up.

The first operations of the newly created section were carried out from the Como seaplane base, while within a few months the transfer took place to the heliport built in Intimiano (Como). In 1972 the Sezione Aerea Intimiano was transferred to the airport of Calcinate del Pesce in the province of Varese and thus became the Sezione Aerea Varese.

The airport of Calcinate del Pesce on the banks of the Lago di Varese

In January 1975 the AB.47Js were replaced by the new Breda-Nardi NH.500M, while in 1982 the Sezione Aerea was closed.

A few years later, July 14, 1988, it was reactivated as the Sezione Aerea Como. The new location is at Venegono Inferiore Airport (Varese), in one of the historic Aermacchi warehouses. Another important transition took place on February 3, 1997, when it returned to the name Sezione Aerea Venegono.

In 2002, the department moved to the new building north of the airport site, in the Venegono Superiore area, becoming completely independent of the airfield managed by Aermacchi and the local Aero Club. On August 1, 2012, the unit was then renamed Sezione Aerea Varese.

The airport of Varese Venegono with the large Leonardo facilities and the Guardi di Finanza facilities

The current unit in Venegono is led by a Pilot Officer, who has a staff of 39 soldiers in total, divided into an Operations Unit (pilots and air rescue operators), which is also led by an officer, an Efficiency Unit (specialists with the tasks of maintenance technicians and, during flight operations, rescue winch operators) and finally a Command Team (soldiers responsible for the offices, supervision and control of the barracks).

The current helicopter equipment of the Sezione Aerea consists of two AB.412HP type B aircraft (mountain version) and one UH.169A. What is remarkable is that the first UH.169 of the Guardi di Finanza was delivered to the Sezione Aerea Varese and not as usual to the Centro di Aviazione on Pratica di Mare. This was probably because the UH.169 (AW.169) is built at Leonardo on Vergiate, which is practically next to Venegono.

The fleet of the Sezione Aerea Varese in 2021

The main tasks of the Sezione Aerea Varese are certainly aerial reconnaissance, transport and participation in search and rescue operations.

The task of aerial reconnaissance includes many of the corps’ main tasks: state police, environmental protection, economic land control (CeTe) and border control.

Participation in search and rescue operations is the historical role of the so-called “mountain” air section. Supporting the SAGF (Soccorso Alpino Guardia di Finanza – Alpine Rescue Guardia di Finanza) and the CNSAS (Corpo Nazionale Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico – National Alpine Rescue and Speleological Corps) is the core business of the flying Fiamme Gialle (Fiamme Gialle – yellow flames, is the nickname of the Guardia di Finanza) in the Alps.

The mountains around the Lago di Como form one of the areas where the SA di Varese’s helicopters can be found frequently

These functions are performed in a service district covering Lombardy, Piedmont (excluding the provinces of Asti and Alessandria) and la Valle d’Aosta. The total area of the area to be protected is 52,404 km² and the boundary line to be protected is 1,237 km, of which 780 km is outside the European Union (Switzerland). This includes the large lakes such as Lake Maggiore and Lake Como.

The task that the Sezione Aera Varese is most concerned with is contributing to mountain rescue operations. This important role, which the unit fulfills for the benefit of the community, is carried out by utilizing the synergy between the helicopter pilot, the winch operator and the rescue teams who use the helicopter to quickly get to inaccessible environments. Synergies that can only be achieved through continuous training, in particular for the safe use of the helicopter during the entry and exit of rescuers, or any dog teams, but especially for the use of the winch, a fundamental tool that allows rescuers allows you to get in and out in places where the helicopter cannot land. The Sezione Aerea Varese regularly provides this training activity for all SAGF stations in its territory and the CNSAS also participates in some of these exercises through specific protocols.

This continuous training activity leads to concrete results in frequent real-life operations. In the 20 years that the department has worked under the auspices of the ROAN, it has logged 10,155 flying hours. On average, five people were rescued per year and during dramatic events such as in 2008 in Valtellina and in 2018 in Val Ferret, more than 200 people were evacuated due to natural disasters, including many elderly people and children, but also nine young scouts who got lost on the mountain Boletto (Como) in January 2006.

During the frequent aerial reconnaissance for environmental protection, a significant number of waste dumps have been discovered in the area by the crews of the Sezione Aerea. Since 2004, an average of ten landfills have been discovered per year.

The constant economic control of the territory (CeTe), the primary task of the corps, has led the Guardia di Finanza forces to carry out hundreds of checks on aircraft flying as General Aviation to the airports in the district. Aerial reconnaissance is further intensified during the summer period when the Flight Branch conducts multiple missions to identify illicit cannabis plantations and, once identified, coordinate with ground patrols for subsequent forensic police activity.

The Nucleo Efficienza, with its own specialized personnel, guarantees the execution of various helicopter checks on the line during the pre- and post-flight phases, offering the pilots the necessary support during take-off and landing, which is fundamental when these are carried out in inhospitable areas, and is also present on board as a winch operator and technician.

Specialists carry out all planned maintenance activities in the hangar. The most frequent is the one defined as 1st technical level and consists mainly of visual inspections carried out every 25 flight hours.

In addition, the Nucleo Efficienza, as planned maintenance activities, carries out the more complex 2nd level technical inspections. These inspections are performed every 100 flight hours and multiples thereof and cover most mechanical, electrical, structural and avionic components on board.

The larger, 3rd level maintenance is not carried out at the own unit, but takes place at the Centro di Aviazione of the Guardia di Finanza on Pratica di Mare. This inspection takes place after 1200 flight hours.

The Guardia di Finanza is gradually taking the AB.412 out of service and switching to the AW.169. In addition to the UH-169A, which flies in Venegono, among other places, the Guardia di Finanza has also purchased the MH-169A.

The Guardia di Finanza flies two configurations of helicopters: the UH-169A (the utility version with an entry-level configuration) and the MH-169A FOC (military version with a full operational configuration). The UH-169A comes with wheeled landing gear and the MH-169A FOC is equipped with skid landing gear, more power and the latest generation of avionics called ATOS-RW/MMS with a mission console for day and night management night vision infrared cameras (FLIR) and search radar.

In Varese they are very proud of the UH-169 that was delivered in October 2020 and I received a detailed explanation about it.

The AgustaWestland AW169 is a twin-engine helicopter with 10 seats and a weight of 4.8 tons, developed and produced by the helicopter division of Leonardo (formerly AgustaWestland, merged into Finmeccanica since 2016). It is designed to share similarities with the larger AgustaWestland AW139 and AgustaWestland AW189.

On July 19, 2010 AgustaWestland formally announced at the Farnborough International Air Show that the AW169 was under development. According to AgustaWestland, the 4.5-ton AW169 is a light, medium, twin-engine rotorcraft intended for various utility operations; to reduce expected operating costs, it was decided early on that the AW169 would be very similar in both components and cockpit configuration to the larger AgustaWestland AW139.

On May 10, 2012, the first prototype of the type performed its maiden flight. The test program included a total of four prototypes; the second and third AW169s joined the test program later in 2012 and the fourth in 2013. AgustaWestland had initially expected the AW169 to receive flight certification in 2014, and had planned for the AW169 to enter production in 2015. On July 15, 2015, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued certification for the AW169.

The AW169 is a medium-sized twin-engine helicopter; at its launch it was the first completely new helicopter in its weight category in more than 30 years. Weighing approximately 4,500 kg and with a capacity of 7-10 passengers, it sits between the 3,175 kg 8-seat AW109GrandNew and the much larger 6,400 kg 15-seat AW139. The AW169 is powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210A FADEC turboshaft engines, which drive the main rotor at variable speeds to reduce external noise and increase efficiency. Newly developed dampers were installed between the main rotor blades to reduce vibration levels for a smooth passenger experience. It is the first production helicopter in its category with electronically operated landing gear. AgustaWestland has reported having several customers for the AW169, including the air ambulance, law enforcement, executive/corporate, offshore transportation and utility sectors.

The AW169 is equipped with several avionics systems, including a Rockwell Collins glass cockpit with three displays equipped with touchscreen interfaces, digital charts, dual radar altimeters, automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast tracking, health and usage monitoring systems (HUMS) and night vision goggles (NVG) compatibility . Many elements of the cockpit and avionics are similar to those of the AgustaWestland AW139 and the AgustaWestland AW189, providing a high level of support. Through the use of a four-axis digital automatic flight control system and a dual flight management system with terrain and traffic avoidance systems, the rotorcraft can be certified to be flown by a single pilot under instrument flight rules (IFR).

There is no auxiliary power unit (APU) installed in the AW169; instead, the transmission features a clutch that allows the rotors to be stopped while the port engine continues to run to power the onboard avionics and electrical systems. At customer request, the AW169 can be equipped with a full anti-icing system; Alternatively, a limited anti-icing system can also be integrated. To meet different customer requirements and preferences, the AW169 can be configured with numerous optional equipment, such as auxiliary fuel tanks, rescue hoist, cargo hook, emergency flotation aids, remote cameras, rappelling equipment, wire cutters, mission consoles, external speakers and external searchlights.

General features

• Crew: 1 or 2

• Capacity: 8 to 12 passengers, plus 250 kg (551 lbs) of luggage and cargo; or 1 stretcher, plus 7 supervisors; or 2 stretchers, plus 5 supervisors

• Length: 14.645 m (48 ft 1 in)

• Width: 2.530 m (8 ft 4 in) Horizontal transverse plane 3.205 m

• Height: 4.50 m (15 ft 0 in)

• Gross weight: 2,850 kg (6,283 lb)

• Max. takeoff weight: 4,800 kg (10,582 lb)

• Engines: 2 × Pratt & Whitney PW210A turboshaft with FADEC (735 kW, 1,000 hp each)

• Main rotor diameter: 12.12 m (39 ft 9 in)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 306 km/h (190 mph, 165 kn)

• Never exceed speed: 306 km/h (190 mph, 165 kn) Power on with both engines running

• Range: 820 km (510 mi, 440 nmi)

• Endurance: 4h 20m

Aviation, Emergency Services, Uncategorized

Policing Lombardia

Gallery 3 April 2022 Niek van der Zande

Located in the former Caproni area (next to the Volandia museum) at Milan Malpensa Airport and named after VQA pilot Dr Alberto Addeo, the 2° Reparto Volo Polizia di Stato was the second in order of opening of the eleven Reparto Volos (initially equipped with Agusta Bell 47J helicopters) that have been deployed throughout Italy since 1971 when the Servizio Area della Polizia was created.

The Leonardo UH-139 is the latest addition to the fleet of the 2° Reparto Volo

The service was established on an “informal” level in 1956, when the Traffic Police Corps took over the coordination and planning of rescue operations during the wave of bad weather that hit central and southern Italy.

In 1959, the Milan Traffic Police experimented with the use of helicopters in coordination with ground patrols, an activity that, given the brilliant results, led the Corps Inspectorate to establish its own air service; on 9 October 1963, the Rome and Milan Traffic Police Departments established the first public safety helicopter divisions.

On 5 November 1963, the Milan Helicopter Department proposed to the General Directorate of Public Security that a white identification number be affixed to the roof of cars to facilitate identification from above; the proposal was accepted and subsequently taken as a model by the other police departments.

The establishment of the air service made it necessary to train specialised personnel at air force schools.

On 1 January 1971, a ministerial decree created the Air Service for Public Safety, to which was added the 1° Gruppo Volo at the Pratica di Mare military airfield.

On 20 July 1972 the Helicopter Section was inaugurated at Milan Malpensa, which was upgraded to a Gruppo Volo on 1 January 1973.

There are currently 11 Flight Departments in Italy with a staff of about 800, including pilots and specialists, 60 helicopters and 19 aircraft, which are hierarchically dependent on the 2nd Division of the Central Directorate of General Affairs of the State Police, Special Departments Service.

The P.68 is the workhorse of the 2° Reparto Volo. The four aircraft in the inventory are used for a wide variety of tasks.

Tasks and Activities

Aerial surveillance makes it possible to locate and bypass potential sources of danger, as aircraft and helicopters are equipped with cameras (even two) connected to a control room that can mix the signals and transmit them to the relevant police headquarters.

Of fundamental importance is the interaction with:

– Polizia di Frontiera against smuggling/illegal immigration/terrorism;

– Polizia Stradale/Ferroviaria/Postale/Scientifica to ensure security in the area of competence.

There are also collaborations with:

– Sharpshooters and dog handlers (both units are located in the immediate vicinity of the Flight Department);

– Crime Prevention Units;

– UOPI (Operational Ready Intervention Units), recently created to combat terrorism;

– Air Force and Civil Defence, in search and rescue operations;

– Centro Nazionale Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico (CNSAS) (National Centre for Alpine and Speleological Rescue), with which the police have an agreement.

Aircraft in use with the 2° Reparto Volo Polizia di Stato

AB.212

The AB.212 helicopter was produced by Agusta, under licence from Bell, with double turbine and rotor with two blades, in use by the Polizia di Stato since 1976, it can carry up to 15 people at a maximum speed of 240 Km/h, with a range of 2h and 40 minutes. Extremely versatile and able to fly at night, it has been used by the 2° Reparto Volo Polizia di Stato since 1997.

P.68 Obs II

The large glass cockpitwindow makes the P.68 isdeal for surveillance missions.

The P.68 aircraft built by Partenavia VulcanAir has great versatility and manoeuvrability. It is particularly suitable for the control of highways and can carry up to 4 persons at a maximum speed of 270 km/h with a range of 4 hours. It has been used by the 2° Reparto Volo since 1987. With the 2° RV, the P.68 is also widely used for organ transports.

UH-139A

The UH-139 on standby at the 2° Reparto Volo platform

The newest type at the 2° Reparto Volo is the Leonardo UH-139 (AW139). The AW139 of the Italian police, called UH-139, includes a HD FLIR of the latest generation, a satellite communication system, a searchlight, a rescue hoist, a cabin console for missions and a HD video downlink.

Staffing

The staff of the 2° Reparto Volo Polizia di Stato consists of highly qualified men, divided into pilots and specialists.

In order to enter the air service, personnel who meet the psycho-physical requirements must undergo highly selective training and

– obtain a helicopter pilot’s licence at the 72° Stormo of the Italian Air Force in Frosinone;

– obtain the fixed-wing pilot’s licence at the 70° Stormo of the Italian Air Force in Latina.

Since 2013, courses have also been held at the PS Training and Flight Standardisation Centre (CASV), located in Pratica di Mare, where pilots transfer to AB-206s or P-68s and can therefore be deployed as soon as they arrive at their destination department; currently this is only possible after attending the CASV courses.

Specialists obtain their qualification at the school for non-commissioned officers of the air force in Caserta.

The 2° Reparto Volo Polizia di Stato employs 60 people, divided into three departments:

– OASV Flight Operations consists, apart from the commander, of seventeen pilots, of which ten are helicopter pilots and seven are aircraft pilots.

– The “Fixed Flight Crew” (specialists) consists of twenty-five people who are not only part of the aircraft crews, but are also in charge of aircraft maintenance.

– General Affairs, consists of twenty-six officials in charge of bureaucratic tasks and infrastructure supervision.

The UH-139 and P.68 together on the 2° Reparto Volo platform

It’s not always sunny in Italy, but usually things clear up easily at MIlan Malpensa airport

Aviation, Emergency Services

Heliport Medisch Spectrum Twente – When every second counts

Gallery 16 May 2021 Niek van der Zande

Hospital Medisch Spectrum Twente (MST) operates as part of the Trauma Centre a heliport for handling Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) flights. In addition, ambulance flights and flights for the transportation of human organs are allowed to be carried out on this heliport. This heliport is the gateway to the Medisch Spectrum Twente when every second counts.

In the Twente region, MST is the only hospital with a heliport. The choice for MST was logical, on the one hand because the hospital is one of the eleven trauma centres in the Netherlands and on the other because of its central location in the east of the country and close to Germany. Some 90 per cent of the trauma helicopters that land at MST come from Germany. On average, the heliport receives about 120 helicopters per year.

Helicopter Medisch Spectrum Twente — Christoph Europa 2 is the helicopter most frequently seen at the Medisch Spectrum Twente

Previously the heliport was located next to the hospital. At this location the iconic Bundeswehr UH-1D “Huey” helicopters from the SAR76 station in Rheine were a common sight. When the hospital was renovated, the heliport was relocated to the current location on top of the building. In this way an approach path free of obstacles was possible.

Helideck Medisch Spectrum twente — The Medisch Spectrum Twente heliport on the south side of the building (Source: Google Maps)

A trauma helicopter is deployed at the request of the emergency services after a serious accident. Often in traffic, but also, for example, after an incident in or around the house. In many cases, the helicopter flies in to get a specialised doctor to the accident site quickly. Patients or wounded are only transported by helicopter if they are stable, so sometimes a helicopter returns ’empty’ to the hospital to pick up only the medical staff.

Enschede helicopter — Christoph Europa 2 on the MST heliport, with the Alfa Tower in the background

The Netherlands has four so-called lifeliners, which are deployed in the north, south and west. Twente and the Achterhoek are mainly covered by the Christoph Europa 2 from Rheine, backed up by the Christoph Westfalen from Münster and the Christoph 8 from Lünen.

Christoph Westfalen — Chistoph Westfalen, the Airbus H.145 based at Münster-Osnabrück is a frequent visitor to the MST heliport

The majority of the patients that are transferred to the Medisch Spectrum Twente by helicopter originate from incidents in the Twente region and the neighbouring area in Germany. Most of the time this is done with the Christoph Europa 2, an EC.135 of ADAC Luftrettung based in Rheine. This type of helicopter weighs about 3000 kilos, can carry 4 seated persons (including the pilot) and 1 patient on a stretcher. This mini hospital can fly at a maximum speed of 260 km/h. After arriving at the helideck, the patinet can quickly be transferred to the emergency room to receive the treatment needed.

Lifeliner Helicopter — One of the Dutch Lifeliners during a nightly visit. The heliport can be used 24 hours per day, depending on meteorological conditions.

If something happens somewhere, the pilot and doctor together decide where to fly to. The pilot knows what distance can be flown, the doctor knows where the patient in question can receive the best care. It is noticed that more and more people are transferred to Enschede.

BK117 Helicopter — Before Christoph Westfalen transferred to the current Airbus H.145, they used the MBB/Kawasaki BK.117

During the Covid-19 pandemic, helicopters were also used to transfer patients from one hospital to another. In the Netherlands the Lifeliner 5 was pressed into service (see more in this article) and visited Enschede several times as well.

Christoph Europa 2

The air rescue centre in Rheine has existed since 1982. Initially operated by the German Armed Forces with a Bell UH-1D SAR helicopter under the designation SAR 76, ADAC Luftrettung took over the station in 1998. Because of its proximity to the Dutch border, the “yellow angel” was given the call sign “Christoph Europa 2”. It is the second rescue helicopter to be given the name “Europa”. It is meant to make clear that helicopters in border areas do not stop at national borders and also care for patients in neighbouring countries.

Lifeliners

The Mobile Medical Team (MMT) has Airbus helicopters at its disposal. The EC-135 (H135) from Airbus is used as a trauma helicopter, also called Lifeliner. The helicopter is mainly used when the doctor and the nurse of the MMT must be at the scene as soon as possible. A trauma doctor can perform certain actions and interventions that an ambulance nurse is not allowed to do. Life-saving activities can therefore already be started outside the hospital. The heli-MMT is usually deployed in case of serious accidents where quick start of medical treatment is important.

Lifeliner 5

As of the 24th of March 2020 the fifth Mobile Medical Team (MMT) took to the air with an additional trauma helicopter to quickly transport intensive care patients. This helicopter was deployable throughout the Netherlands. In view of the growth in the number of patients infected with the coronavirus, it has been decided to use this helicopter in addition to the existing MMT service to get patients to the right hospital even faster and thus relieve the burden on road transport. The helicopter (type H145) was made available by the ANWB Medical Air Assistance (MAA) and has been fully equipped by Radboudumc for the transport of intensive care patients.

Irregular Visitors

Besides the obvious subjects, the heliport every now and then also receives visitors that are not so often seen in the Twente region. Below are some examples.

ADAC Helicopter — Christoph 8 is based in Lünen and seen here in the summer sun

DRF Luftrettung Hubschrauber — Christoph Dortmund is operated by DRF Luftrettung and located at Dortmund Airport

The Bundesministerium des Innern also operates a fleet of rescue helicopters. One of them is Christoph 9, based in Duisburg.

Did you know that the heliport also has it’s own Instagram page? You can visit them at https://www.instagram.com/heliport_eh0008_enschede/

Sources: Medisch Spectrum Twente, Tubantia, RTV Oost, ADAC Luftrettung, Wikipedia.

Aviation, Emergency Services

Lifeliner 5 stands down

Gallery 22 May 2020 Niek van der Zande 3 Comments

After a period of almost 2 months, Lifeliner 5 made the last operational flight on 20 May 2020. This flight between Hamburg and Venlo ended an intense period during the COVID-19 crisis.

As of the 24th of March the fifth Mobile Medical Team (MMT) took to the air with an additional trauma helicopter to quickly transport intensive care patients. This helicopter was deployable throughout the Netherlands.

In view of the growth in the number of patients infected with the coronavirus, it has been decided to use this helicopter in addition to the existing MMT service to get patients to the right hospital even faster and thus relieve the burden on road transport.

The helicopter (type H145) was made available by the ANWB Medical Air Assistance (MAA) and has been fully equipped by Radboudumc for the transport of intensive care patients. The team flew in protective gear to avoid getting infected. The helicopter was completely disinfected after each transport.

The helicopter, which is normally in use as an ambulance helicopter to serve the Wadden Islands, was temporarily based at Volkel Airbase and available from 7 in the morning till 7 in the evening. Between the 6th of April and the 2nd of May the second “Waddenheli” was also put in use as an MMT Helicopter, this Lifeliner 6 was based at Groningen Eelde Airport. During this period a NH90 of the Royal Netherlands Airforce was on stand-by to carry out ambulance duties for the Wadden Islands.

The helicopter crew consists of a pilot, a specialized MMT nurse and an anesthetist-MMT doctor. This helicopter is larger than the regular helicopter used by MMTs and offers more space to transport a patient and to provide proper care.

Lifeliner 5 transported the last COVID-19 intensive care patient on Wednesday, May 20. Due to the decreasing number of corona patients, long-distance interregional intensive care transport is no longer necessary. IC patients can also be transported by road over a short distance from 22 May.

A patient is loaded into the Lifeliner 5 at the Medisch Spectrum Twente in Enschede

Lifeliner 5 was made available by ANWB Medical Air Assistance at the time of increasing demand for MICU transport, and was fully equipped by the ANWB together with Radboudumc for the transport of intensive care patients with the COVID-19 virus. The medical crew consisted of members of the regular MMT of the Radboudumc. Lifeliner 5 transported 66 corona patients and 2 non-COVID intensive care patients from the Volkel site. Most of the patients came from hospitals in the south of the country and were brought to the north of the Netherlands and to Germany, and vice versa.

The Lifeliner 5 last flew with a corona patient from Hamburg to Venlo on Wednesday 20 May. This patient had spent six weeks in Germany – without a visit – at the ICU and was allowed to return to Venlo that day. Lifeliner 5 returned to its regular location in Lelystad on Friday 22 May, where it will be used as a backup ambulance helicopter for flights between the Wadden Islands and the mainland.

The last P2000 pager message for Lifeliner 5

Aviation, Emergency Services, Military

Fire Bucket Operations in Hengelo

Gallery 7 July 2018 Niek van der Zande

In the weekend of 30 June 2018 the Twence waste recycling facility in Hengelo was struck by a large fire. The fire was so intense that the Koninklijke Luchtmacht had to assist the fire brigade with Chinook helicopters.

On the evening of 30 June 2018 the fire brigade was alarmed for a fire at Twence waste recycling. Upon arrival at 23.00, it quickly became clear that a lot of resources and water were needed to extinguish the large pile of garbage. Throughout the night extra fire crews were alarmed to avoid further spreading of the fire.

Soon it became clear the a fire this large could not be battled in the traditional way. Therefore the fire brigade asked the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF/Koninklijke Luchtmacht) for assistance; in the middle of the night Fire Bucket Operations (FBO) was alarmed. FBO is a partnership between the RNLAF, fire brigade Safety Region North and East Gelderland (VNOG) and the Institute for Physical Safety (IFV).

In the morning of the 1st of July, a RNLAF CH-47D Chinook flew to Hengelo to assist the fire brigades. Later in the afternoon a second Chinook arrived. Next to the helicopter crew, a FBO team was on site. This team consist of the Fire Brigade Heli-Team and the Mobile Air Operations Team (MAOT DHC). This team coordinates the helicopter operations and also makes sure that the 10,000 liter Bambi Bucket is hooked up to the Chinook.

During the next 2 days, Chinooks flew to a quarry next to Boekelo in order to pick up water. The vicinity of this quarry made it possible to perform many runs over the fire. Normally approximately 10 runs could be made before the helicopters had to fly to Deelen Airbase for refuelling. The last drops were made around 20.00, after which the Bambi Bucket was returned to the FBO team and the Chinook returned to Gilze-Rijen airbase.

As a result of the assistance with the Chinooks, the fire brigade was able to contain the fire and reduce the smoke in a substantial way. In the evening of 2 July the fire brigade announced that the fire was under control.

Aviation, Emergency Services, Events, Military

Es donnert auf der Heide

Gallery 13 June 2018 Niek van der Zande

On the 9th of June 2018 the German Ministry of Defense hosted the Tag der Bundeswehr, during which 15 military bases across the country opened the gates for the general public. One of these bases was the Wehrtechnische Dienststelle für Waffen und Munition 91 (WTD91) in Meppen.

WTD91 in Meppen is a unique location, as it actually is a unit with both military and civillian staff where new weapons and munition are tested. For these purposes, the unit can use a 19200 hectare instrumented shooting range, which measures approximately 31 by 7 kilometers.

Meppen Range (EDR34) in Northern Germany, as shown on aviation charts

Weapons, weaponssystems, guided missiles, drones and armour are tested in Meppen for the German army, navy and airforce. WTD91 boasts a unique professional experience in the disciplines of balistics, acoustics, optronics and meteorology when it comes to military equipment.

The Tiger attack helicopter on the ground before the display

During the Tag der Bundeswehr, the visitors were welcomed onto the general area of WTD91 where they could see the equipment of the German army up close, from the Fennek reconaissance vehicle up to the immense PzH2000 howitzer. On the other side of the street, the WTD village was showing the various WTD units from accross the country. These units showed various military innovations that they are currently working on, from 3D printing and robotics via temporary camouflage paint onto an electronic quad from the Trier based WTD41.

Bundeswehrfeuerwehr

A few meters further the highlight of the day was reached, this was were the dynamic weapons display took place 3 times per day for 45 minutes. This weapons display was not only dynamic by the fact that the various military vehicles moved in front of the public, next to that live shots were fired to show the visitors the power and precision of the weapons.

The display started exactly on the hour with a first missile being fired from the LARS rocketlauncher. This first missile was fired to determine if it reached the right target area, situated 12 kilometers further. Once this was confirmed, a salvo of 15 rockets was fired. At this point it became quite clear why visitors had to wear ear protection and why children under the age of 14 years were not allowed at the dynamic weapons display.

The LARS missile system is no longer in use with the Bundeswehr, but WTD 91 still had plenty of rockets in stock to be fired.

LARS firing sequence

Next up was the Dingo armoured transport vehicle, shooting the remote fired MG5 machinegun at several balloons, destroying them all. When the Dingo drove off, the next weapons system was already prepared for action in the form of the MG6 machinegun. This machinegun has 6 barrels and can fire 6000 shots per minute. By using this massive firepower, an array of 400 clay pigeons was cleared in no time.

Then the heavy, tracked vehicles showed up on the range. First to display its firepower was the Puma Schützenpanzer which can transport 6 armed soldiers onto the battlefield. The Puma is equipped with a 30mm machine cannon, with which it destroyed the water barrels that simulated targets on the range. The puma was then followed by the Leopard 2. This main battle tank was staffed by a mixed German/Dutch crew. First it fired the 120mm canon whilst standing still, the next shot was fired whilst driving at full speed. The Leopard was then followed by the PzH2000 howitzer firing the mighty 155mm canon at a target 12km away.

Puma in action

Leopard 2

PzH2000

Then, during a short parade of the ENOK, EAGLE IV and Boxer, a display was given how troops would be inserted and extracted from the battlefield.

After the ground-based displays, all eyes were focused onto the sky, as it was time for the aerial display of WTD61s Tiger attack helicopter. An array of impressive manouevres was shown directly in front of the guests, so that they could get an impression on the versatility of this helicopter.

When the Tiger display was over, it was announced that Meppen could see some aerial visitors as well. First up was a C-160D Transall from LTG63 in Hohn. This Transall flew along all Tag der Bundeswehr bases in northern Germany and treated the audience to a Sarajevo approach. The final visitor of the day was the Transall’s successor, an Airbus A.400M from LTG62 in Wunstorf, that flew accross the entire country to visit Tag der Bundeswehr events during which it was in the air for more than 6 hours.

Aviation, Emergency Services, Transport, Uncategorized

Night photography

Gallery 15 October 2017 Niek van der Zande

Night photography is one of the more difficult things to do. The primary reason is the lack of light, something essential to photography. In order to get decent pictures you need a lot of practice, patience and a tripod will come in handy as well.

Modern DSLR cameras can easily go up to ISO One Zillion without loss of quality, but back in the old days, when you used slide film, a very long shutter time was needed and then still it was a big guess on what the result would be.

As said, modern cameras make it a lot easier, but you still have to know what you are doing. Next to that, quite some correction is required afterwards, as artificial lights have a nasty yellow glance.

This article shows various nightshots throughout the years.

Oldskool: Slides

A Venezuelan Hercules on the platform of Twenthe Airbase

An An-12 from Balkan Bulgarian Airways on the platform of Twenthe — A Balkan Bulgarian Airways Antonov 12 at Twenthe

Digital: Funfair in Hengelo

Emergency Services at Night

Firemen in action at a large fire in Hengelo

Aircraft at night

A Swiss Challenger 300 on the platform of Le Bourget

A brand new Embraer ERJ-145AEW made a stop at Le Bourget during the delivery flight to India

The Ecuadorian presidential aircraft was parked at Le Bourget during a visit to Paris

A Global Express from the German Air Force awaits a VIP at Le Bourget Airport

A United States Air Force C-40 VIP transport at Le Bourget

The Mirage gate guard of Payerne airbase in Switzerland

The Christoph Europa 2 helicopter at the Medisch Spectrum Twente in Enschede

The view on this Egyptian Hercules at Le Bourget was unfortunately obstructed by fences.

When you take pictures at night, some lights can be rather annoying, as was the case with this Malaysian Global Express

The picture of this Thai Air Force Boeing 737 was also rather tricky due to the large spotlight

A US based Gulfstream from the USAF on the tarmac of Le Bourget

A rare visitor to Le Bourget was this US Marine Corps C-9

Egyptian Hercules are frequent visitors to Le Bourget and therefore this nice picture could be taken

Emergency Services

Open House Brandweer Hengelo

Gallery 4 September 2016 Niek van der Zande

On the 3rd of September 2016 the Fire Brigade of Hengelo organised an open House. The occasion for this event was the 25th anniversary of the Stichting Historie Brandweer Hengelo (SHBH), a foundation that preserves the history of the Fire Brigade in Hengelo.

Part of the Open House was a parade with historical fire engines through the city centre of Hengelo.

Besides this, visitors were able the have a look of the present material of the fire brigade and several demonstrations could be watched. Children could also play with the hose and extinguish “fires”.

Emergency Services, Events

ExpoRIC safety exposition

Gallery 5 June 2016 Niek van der Zande

On 2 June 2016, eRIC (expo Rampenbestrijding, Incidentmanagement & Crisismanagement; Disaster planning, Incident management & Early warning and response coordination fair) threw open its doors at Vliegveld Twenthe.

For three packed days, the former military airbase was transformed into the ultimate meeting place for product and service providers, operational relief workers and industry organisations.

Guests could attend to forge networks and do business, creating public-private partnerships to work towards a safer country.

Aviation, Emergency Services, Events, Transport

President Obama visits Hannover

Gallery 28 April 2016 Niek van der Zande

On 24 and 25 April 2016 the U.S. President Barack Obama visited Hannover, Germany. The main purpose of his visit was to open the Hannover Messe but next to that he also had meetings with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, as well as with the Prime Ministers of France, Italy and the United Kingdom.

President Obama greets the crowd at Hannover Airport

The pictures on this page were taken during President Obama’s arrival at Hannover Airport on 24 April and his departure on 25 April. Obviously there was a large number of security staff from both German and US authorities.