, The AW139 has achieved significant success in Australia, winning orders in the Search and Rescue (SAR) and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) markets. The Queensland Government and CHC, in New South Wales, will each operate three AW139s helping to provide improved emergency medical and rescue services to the communities they serve, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Like Australia, the AW139 has become the medium twin engine helicopter of choice elsewhere in the world with sales now exceeding 220. Recent EMS/SAR customers include the State Spanish Marine Safety Agency (Sasemar) who choose the AW139 to perform SAR and water pollution detection missions and the Japanese Coast Guard who selected the AW139 as the best helicopter capable of carrying out their demanding maritime SAR and patrol missions, which include ship-based operations.
Other SAR/EMS customers located in Namibia, Nigeria, Italy, United Kingdom, UAE, Oman, Estonia and the United States are now operating the AW139 or have placed contracts for aircraft. The aircraft, operated by the Italian company Airgreen, was used for EMS applications during the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin.
The ease in which the AW139 can be converted between fire fighting, EMS and SAR roles recently convinced the Los Angeles City Fire Department, who earlier this month signed a contract for two aircraft. The AW139 will ensure the LAFD is at the forefront of
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