Flying Search-and-Rescue in Greenland: Air Greenland’s H225 Helicopter Operations

At the edge of the Arctic, where weather is unpredictable and help can be hundreds of miles away, Air Greenland’s search-and-rescue (SAR) crews operate in some of the most extreme conditions on Earth.

Air Greenland supports SAR operations for the Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC), operated by Arctic Command, through a dedicated Airbus H225 helicopter permanently based in Kangerlussuaq.

Vertical Plus recently visited the operator to see how their AWSAR missions are carried out across vast, remote terrain.

With the transition from the Sikorsky S-61 to the Airbus H225, crews now have advanced capabilities like full de-icing and auto hover, which are critical when operating in darkness, icing, and near-zero visibility.

But technology is only part of the story. From fuel-critical decisions and unpredictable winds to survival planning in -40 C/F conditions, every mission is a calculated risk.

Learn even more in the feature story, available in the upcoming April/May issue of Vertical Plus at verticalmag.com/issues.

🎥 Lloyd Horgan