The first Airbus H145 helicopter to be delivered in Canada has arrived at the RCMP’s base at Langley airport (CYNJ) in Metro Vancouver. Dubbed Air 5, the helicopter’s design allows it to support day and night operations over land and water, and conduct fast roping and hoisting, medical evacuations and search and rescue operations.

“With its enhanced safety features and reputation for reduced maintenance and excellent availability, the multi-role H145 is an ideal aircraft for multi-faceted law enforcement missions,” said Airbus Helicopters Canada president Romain Trapp.

Some of the tactical equipment that the H145 is equipped with include a Trakka A800 searchlight, an Enhanced Reality System, a Health Monitoring System (HMS), a forward-looking infrared system (FLIR), night vision goggles, a four-axis autopilot and a tactical officer workstation. The H145’s internal long-range tanks will allow the RCMP to deploy its Emergency Response Team province-wide.

“A reliable and effective police force improves the quality of life in any province. New resources, like the Air 5, will help keep our citizens and communities safe by providing the ability for quick response and sharing intelligence from the air to officers on the ground,” said British Columbia’s minister of public safety and solicitor general Mike Farnworth.

Air 5’s registration, C-FDJB, was chosen to pay tribute to civilian pilot David John Brolin, who died during a training exercise on a previous version of Air-5.

“It’s a great honour to be able to include Dave’s call sign on the side of the helicopter as he loved his work, was dedicated to Air Services and to ensuring public safety; a part of him will always be with us,” said B.C. RCMP’s Commanding Officer, Deputy Commissioner Brenda Butterworth-Carr.

The next few months will see RCMP crews undergo training on Air 5. Its first public viewing is planned for later this year at the Abbotsford International Airshow in B.C.