Last remaining HKP 10 makes final landing

At 11:45 AM local time today, the last HKP 10 Super Puma made its final landing in service with the Swedish Armed Forces. This marks the end of a 27-and-a-half year career of the helicopter type, which by the military naming structure were designated HKP 10, A, B and D.

The decommissioning of the aircraft was formally celebrated in a retirement ceremony at the F21 Air Force Base in Luleå last week, see separate story below. This was same place where the Swedish Super Pumas first entered service back in the spring of 1988, when they started to replace the Air Force’s ten Vertol 107s, designated HKP 4.

The nine HKP 10 Super Pumas have been gradually withdrawn from flying duties since March 2013, and they have been replaced by newly delivered NH90s throughout the process. The last few helicopters were operated at the 1st Helicopter Squadron in Luleå, following the retirement of the Super Pumas from service at the F17 Kallinge Air Force Base in December last year.

The last remaining Super Puma, H-97, spent its last hours participating in the military exercise Jämtgubben in Östersund, prior to flying its last leg to Malmen Airbase in Linköping. The helicopter will be offered for sale together with five other HKP 10 Super Pumas. Of the three remaining helicopters, two will be displayed in air museums and one will be used as a technical training airframe.