VOLFA 2025 : Combat Search and Rescue

Escadron d’Hélicoptères 1/67 Pyrénées in action

Combat Search and Rescue was central during VOLFA 2025 exercise. This mission was obviously carried out by Special Operations Squadron ‘Escadron d’Hélicoptères 1/67 Pyrénées‘. EH 1/67 celebrates its 50th anniversary this year at base aérienne 120 Cazaux.

Specially equiped HM225M Caracal, EH 1/67 owns 11 helicopters today, are the ideal work horses of Pyrénées ; they were introduced into service in 2006. For C-SAR tasks, Caracal standard crew of 5 persons is complemented by a GRS (Groupe de Récupération et Sauvetage) section usually comprising about 10 men of special forces commando CPA 30, located at BA 123 Orléans.

During VOLFA 2025, Caracal crews of EH 1/67 operated day and night in C-SAR missions, performing air refueling on KC-130J of the franco-german squadron based at Evreux. Liaison 16 data link was used by Pyrénées, as to be fully integrated into real time mission scenarios.

With the growing operational use of H225M helicopters in the French Air and Space Forces, a second Caracal squadron will be created and stationned at BA 120 Cazaux in a not-too-distant future.

See our full report HERE …

Alexandre and escadrilles.org