By John Smith •
Published: 30 Nov 2024 • 11:13
• 1 minute read
It became clear after a 2011 mass shooting on the island of Utøya which left 77 dead and 300 injured that the Norwegian police simply didn’t have the capability to respond to the massacre by use of helicopters.
Norwegian police created a national emergency response centre which is supported by three helicopters
It took quite a while for the creation of a special police airborne unit but by 2020 the police had inaugurated a national emergency response centre in Taraldrud, a few kilometres south of Oslo.
The idea was that specialist units such as a bomb squad, intervention team, hostage negotiators supported by fast boats and helicopters would be available in one place ready to react in case of an emergency.
The Norwegian police now have a trio of helicopters, the AgustaWestland AW169 produced by Italian Group Leonardo which is seen as an ideal aircraft to be part of the national emergency response centre.
The helicopters are manned day and night and can operate successfully in a range of weather conditions
The AW169 is a twin-engine, 10-seater, which is very versatile and is ideal for the Taraldrud Heliport with its 300 metre runway and can operate in a range of different weather conditions
One helicopter is configured for surveillance, while the second is ready for transport missions with both remaining on duty with their crews day and night while the third is kept as a backup for maintenance and training.
Bearing in mind that there is a need for a pilot and co-pilot, the helicopters can carry up to eight passengers, although six is more usual to allow them to take on civilians in distress.
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Married to Ophelia in Gibraltar in 1978, John has spent much of his life travelling on security print and minting business and visited every continent except Antarctica.
Having retired several years ago, the couple moved to their house in Estepona and John became a regular news writer for the EWN Media Group taking particular interest in Finance, Gibraltar and Costa del Sol Social Scene.
Currently he is acting as Editorial Consultant for the paper helping to shape its future development.
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