At the end of January 2026, the Norwegian government officially announced its decision to exercise the option for two additional AgustaWestland AW101 SAR Queen helicopters. This decision will allow a permanent rescue helicopter base to be established in Tromsø in the near future, operated by No. 330 Squadron of Luftforsvaret (the Royal Norwegian Air Force – RNoAF).
As stated in the official press release, the establishment strengthens state preparedness in Northern Norway and increases the ability to handle incidents in an area characterised by long distances, challenging weather conditions and high levels of operational activity.
The Norwegian No. 330 Squadron can trace its origins back to the No. 330 Squadron RAF, established during the Second World War as part of the Norwegian forces in exile. The squadron was then assigned with maritime surveillance duties, Arctic convoy escort and anti-submarine warfare missions. During the war, the unit operated from Iceland and Scotland, before finally being transferred to Sola, Norway, in June 1945.
Today, the No. 330 Squadron is Norway’s military search-and-rescue unit, equipped with sixteen AgustaWestland AW101 Mk 612 SAR Queen helicopters. Based at Sola Air Station, the squadron maintains five detachments across the country, located at Banak, Bodø, Ørland, Florø and Rygge.
The new SAR base in Tromsø will, like the existing bases, form part of the RNoAF structure. This will consolidate the command, readiness and operational management of the rescue helicopter service in mainland Norway within a single organisation, enabling improved operational control, faster decision-making and closer cooperation between civilian and military authorities.
“This strengthens the search and rescue service in Northern Norway, but also overall preparedness across the entire country. A unified rescue helicopter service increases endurance, range and robustness, and enhances the ability to carry out tasks across the full spectrum of operations,” said Colonel Lars Røine, Head of the 130th Air Wing, to which No. 330 Squadron is assigned.
“330 Squadron is designed for operations in peace, crisis and war. In peacetime, the squadron conducts daily rescue and air ambulance missions and supports civilian authorities. In times of crisis, its capabilities can be employed for medical evacuation, personnel recovery, military counter-terrorism and the transport of critical materiel. In war, the rescue helicopters can support military operations through search and rescue, medical evacuation and other missions within the framework of military operations,” added Lieutenant Colonel Frank Kigen, Commander of No. 330 Squadron.
The two additional AW101 SAR Queen helicopters are scheduled for delivery in 2030. Until then, the Tromsø base will be set up and brought into service in parallel with these deliveries, with a gradual build-up of personnel, infrastructure and readiness towards full operational capability.
More information about the RNoAF AW101 helicopters can be also found in our previous articles: The King is dead, long live the Queen! and AgustaWestland AW101 SAR Queen.
Pictured is AgustaWestland AW101 Mk 612 (c/n 0265) of Luftforsvaret / the Royal Norwegian Air Force, taking part in Galileo SAR Meet 2025 at Kbely Air Force Base, Prague, August 2025. All quotations © Royal Norwegian Armed Forces / Forsvaret. Information from the Royal Norwegian Armed Forces press materials were used.
