Since 1974, it has accompanied citizens in Kiel and the surrounding communities in the skies over Schleswig-Holstein, no matter what the weather was like, whether it was "imperial weather" or a typical North German storm depression. For decades, we lived with the engine noise of the "sea kings". With the relocation of Naval Air Wing 5 to Nordholz/Lower Saxony in 2012, the skies over Kiel became quiet.
Photo: Helwin Scharn
The first landing of a "Seaking" took place in Kiel Holtenau on 20 March 1974. The aircraft were built by Westland in Yeovil, England, and then transferred to Germany (Kiel). They were the modernisation of the Navy's search and rescue service with 23 of these very reliable and, at the time, modern machines, some of which are still in use in many western nations today. These robust helicopters and their crews will be associated with the winter of 1978/79, when they saved many lives and animals in northern Germany during the snow disaster. But these "rescuers from the air" have also distinguished themselves countless times over the decades in search and rescue operations over land and sea.
Photo: Helwin Scharn
Now, 50 years later, two of these very reliable aircraft are returning to their old home. They were part of Naval Air Wing 5 Kiel Holtenau, which was established on 1 July 1958. The base was closed in 2012 as part of the structural reform and Naval Air Wing 5 was relocated to Nordholz near Cuxhaven in Lower Saxony. On 20 March 2024, the aircraft with the registration 89+63 and 89+58 will fly one last "farewell lap" over Kiel before landing in Kiel-Holtenau on the site of the former naval aviation squadron at around 14:00. They will be accompanied by a "Sea Lion" helicopter and its successor, an MH 90 helicopter. On board the two helicopters are current crews and former naval aviators who will be available to answer questions as contemporary witnesses, including two older gentlemen who flew in the aircraft at the time.
The "Sea King" will be decommissioned on 31 August 2024 and some aircraft will be handed over to Ukraine.
Photo: Helwin Scharn
Below is the plan for the anniversary day:
13.00 hrs Departure of helicopters 89+63 and 89+58 from Nordholz
13.50 hrs Flypast Laboe and flight along the Kiel Fjord
1.55 p.m. Kiel City Hall flyover
13.57 Flypast Landeshaus
14.00 hrs Landing Kiel Holtenau coming from the fjord (depending on wind)
followed by interviews and discussions
English 
German
I myself was stationed at MFG 5 for several years, in the flight operations squadron, squadron staff and technical staff. There I experienced the last flights of the "Albatros", Sikorsky CH 53 and the introduction of the Sea King. An exciting time for our comrades. Off to language school and then to Culdrose/U.K. for familiarisation and training. It was a lively exchange that enabled the comrades to make the Sea King a true king of the skies over the North and Baltic Seas. The thousands of missions and flight hours are testament to its impressive performance, as well as that of its crew. A sad farewell to our Eagle. He will remain with us in eternal memory.
Too bad there is no "real" flyout event like with the BO105 🙁
As I heard when I said goodbye in Kiel, there will be an official farewell ceremony for the "Sea King" in Nordholz around August. I'm sure you'll get more information from there. Greetings from Kiel.
It is an honour to find myself in marineforum-online. One small correction is important: the cover photo is not mine but that of the Bundeswehr/Bjoern Wilke.
Already corrected! Thanks for pointing that out, Mr Scharn.
Axel Stephenson
Editorial team marineforum.online