First in fleet of search and rescue helicopters to fly from Daedalus

The helicopter base at Daedalus, in Lee-On-Solent, will be home to the new Leonardo AW189 helicopter from 1pm today.

They are operated by Bristow Helicopters Limited on behalf of HM Coastguard.

Daedalus is the first base in the UK to fly the new model of helicopter.

It comes as the service is moving from 12 military and civilian bases across the country to ten coastguard helicopter bases in the UK.

Damien Oliver, assistant director for aviation at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: ‘We are excited to add these new AW189 helicopters to our coastguard helicopter fleet.

‘These are some of the most technologically advanced helicopters providing lifesaving services in the world today.

‘The crews that will fly the new helicopters, and the engineers that maintain them, will continue to demonstrate the utmost professionalism and dedication to the work of saving lives here in the south of England.’