SE-JRA

Information

This helicopter was constructed by Leonardo's Helicopter Division (formerly AgustaWestland) in Vergiate, Italy, in early 2017. It was the second in a batch of four helicopters ordered by Babcock Scandinavian AirAmbulance (BSAA) in order to replace the EMS Dauphin helicopters in Gällivare, Östersund and Lycksele. SE-JRA was handed over to BSAA in May 2017.

It became the second AW169 in Sweden, after SE-JSG that was delivered in April 2017. The registration "JRA" originates from the helicopter's coming home base in Jämtland County (humorous abbreviation for Jämtländska Republikanska Armén).

Active duty
Shortly after 10:00 on January 13, the new helicopter took off on its first mission assignment ever - a long-distance patient transport southwards. The launch followed after a long period of customization and training within BSAA. Later that afternoon, a very satisfied crew returned to Östersund after more than four hours in the air.

The helicopter replaced the AS365N2 SE-JIC, which had served the region since April 2006 (when it replaced SE-JCK). The base in Östersund was the first of four Swedish EMS helicopter bases that was to replace its existing helicopters with Leonardo AW169s in 2018. Next in line were Gällivare, Lycksele and the company's newly awarded base in Gothenburg. Simultaneously, work was also underway to replace the current helicopters at the company's base in Stockholm with two new Airbus H145 this spring (SE-JSP being the first one).