Babcock Australasia has officially handed over two Leonardo AW139s to Queensland Health in Cairns, where they are being custom-fitted with specialist medical equipment before heading to the Torres Strait. The aircraft can fly faster and further than those in the existing fleet and have enhanced retrieval and search and rescue capabilities, assisting crews to respond quicker to those needing emergency assistance.

The helicopters are leased through LCI's joint venture with Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Company (SMFL), and will be based at Horn Island and support Babcock's 24/7 EMS and SAR services across the Torres Strait.

Duncan Milne, managing director, aviation and critical services for Babcock Australasia, says: “LCI has helped us to deliver EMS and mission critical solutions of exceptional quality across the globe for many years. These latest helicopters are a significant step forward for both LCI and Babcock in our support of highly effective emergency services in the harder to reach parts of Australia.”

The AW139s are fitted with a power loading stretcher system, a winch and an electro-optic/infrared camera for enhanced SAR, EMS and other lifesaving work within the remote island community.

Benefits for the Torres Strait community include:

- Enhanced night search activity through the inclusion of electro-optic and infrared systems.

- A significantly greater flight range (up to 1,100km or five hours flying time), allowing for extended search times and a reduction in refuelling stops to reach outer islands in bad weather.

- Increased patient, crew and paramedic comfort through a climate control system.

- Smoother patient transfers delivered by a power loader stretcher system.

- Increased weight capacity, allowing for the installation of more specialist equipment and additional fuel load.

“Babcock has served the Torres Strait community for more than 27 years, so we understand the often unpredictable and unforgiving conditions residents face in an emergency and how important it is to have a high performing emergency helicopter service providing fast and quality healthcare,” says Babcock Australasia CEO Andrew Cridland. “These two custom helicopters will allow our crews and Queensland Health's highly skilled medical staff to safely undertake high-stakes rescue operations in this remote part of Australia. Our purpose at Babcock is to create a safe and secure world together, and these upgraded services will further improve equitable access to healthcare for the people of the Torres Strait.”

The colourful livery, designed by renowned indigenous artist Alick Tipoti, makes the helicopters instantly recognisable and includes a distinctive dragonfly motif painted on the underside of both aircraft. The dragonfly is known in the Torres Strait as ‘Kuyup’, a term also used by islander peoples to describe a helicopter.

The overall design is known as ‘Kuyupaw Yabu’, which translates as the flight path of the dragonfly, and incorporates elements such as migrating birds, sea spirits, reefs and lagoons.

Tipoti's artwork, commissioned by Queensland Health and sponsored by Babcock, Leonardo Helicopters and LCI Aviation, aims to illustrate the positive impact helicopter services have in supporting the Torres Strait community.

“Kuyupaw Yabu translates as the flight path of the dragonfly, in this case our very own rescue helicopter,” he says. “The services and technology it offers are a great blessing and benefit to our people in the Torres Strait region.”

LCI CCO Nigel Leishman says: “We are delighted to be providing two new AW139 helicopters, equipped with latest equipment for EMS and other mission critical services, to our longstanding partner Babcock. These helicopters will improve the speed, range and capability of its operations in Queensland. The striking Kuyupaw Yabu liveries will boost the visibility of emergency operations across remote communities in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula, and we are proud to have co-sponsored the artwork alongside Babcock and Leonardo.”

Together, the two aircraft will form the Lagaw (Island) Kuyup (Helicopter) Rescue Service.

The aircraft will replace two existing Bell B412 helicopters currently servicing the Torres Strait. To support the delivery of the new aircraft, Babcock has committed to upgrading the Horn Island hangar facilities and discussions are currently underway with the Torres Shire Council and airport operators to progress those plans. Upgrades are also being undertaken at some landing sites across the islands to accommodate the wheeled undercarriage of the aircraft.

As part of its ongoing commitment to the Torres Strait community, Babcock is also offering an indigenous apprenticeship in either avionics or mechanical aeroskills. This four year apprenticeship will lead to a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (LAME) accreditation for the successful applicant. In addition, a qualified sheet metal worker has been hired for the base.

Babcock has provided 24/7 helicopter emergency medical services on behalf of Queensland Health since 2007 and last year safely transported close to 450 patients in need of medical assistance. Aerial services form a critical part of medical operations across the Torres Strait due to the restricted movement of vehicles across the hundreds of islands within the archipelago. Aeromedical services are often the only way to transport sick patients to hospital.