National Helicopter Service Ltd

Role: Anti-narcotics and SAR operations.

In early 1973 helicopters were purchased with the intention to operate them from the Camden Heliport/Chaguaramas. This resulted in the division of the Air Wing with the Fixed Wing Flight based at Piarco IAP/Port of Spain, and the helicopter unit based at Camden Heliport/Chaguaramas. The operations of the Rotary Wing Flight were transferred to civilian control in 1976 when it was renamed the Air Division of the Ministry of National Security. The Air Division of the Ministry of National Security became the National Helicopter Services Ltd in 1990 and obtained some Bo-105 helicopters the following years.

Air Bases:

Base	Duration
Camden Heliport/Chaguaramas/Trinidad	1973 - Present

Aircraft Used:

Type	Qty	Service	Example Serials
SNIAS SA-341G/H Gazelle	1/2	1973 - 1995	9Y-TFN, 9Y-TFO, 9Y-TGU
Sikorsky S-76 Spirit	3	1981 - Present	9Y-TGW, 9Y-TGX, 9Y-TJW
MBB Bo-105CBS	3	1991 - Present	9Y-THP, 9Y-TIC, 9Y-TIW

 

References:

• World Air Forces Directory 2002/2003 (Ian Carroll)