"SeaKing Mk 41 flight operations ended"

reported the Commodore of MFG 5, Captain Carsten Holtgreve, to the Commander of the Naval Aviation Command, Captain Broder Nielsen. Prior to this, the squadron commander, frigate captain Thomas Richter, had signed off the last two helicopters after they had landed. The members of the entire squadron were on board the 89 + 63, which has now become a cult retro livery, and the 89 + 58, which was painted in a special livery.

Give it your all once again, photo: hsc

Together, the last Kings' were prepared for their last outing with dignity and recognisable melancholy, they showed what they could do once again and then put them on for the last time. The hover beforehand was deliberately long so that all the photographers and spotters on the fence could take their time to adjust focus and exposure. When the engines were switched off, a banner with the words "Mission Complete" was unfurled. The lined-up trellis received the emblem of the last day in a kind of "badge parade".

Carsten Holtgreve and his men and women had come up with something special for the very large number of visitors - including relatives, friends and alumni. In a well-orchestrated exercise scenario, special police forces were parachuted in to secure the landing site. The aim was to depict the evacuation of German citizens. These people were approached by bus and quickly transported under cover to the waiting helicopters. The applauding spectators were to find out who it really was.

Commander and commodore, photo: hsc

The Kings' took off and after a long aerodrome circuit, they landed for the last time and lo and behold: the initially boldly dressed figures turned out to be members of the squadron. As they made their way into the crowd of spectators after the trellis and the reports, they were applauded for a long time. The aircraft were driven from the landing pad into the crowd and could now be viewed from close up. Long queues formed as quickly as possible, everyone wanted to experience and touch "their" King one last time.

The supporting programme was very extensive, starting with a serenade and reception the evening before and continuing on the square with music, entertainment and refreshments. The event was not open to the public.

Badge award ceremony, photo: hsc

In addition to the moist eyes, there was also a sense of relief. The commander of the Naval Air Command heard this with pride and, as in his speech the previous evening, pointed out that the SeaKing and its crew had saved many lives and that we should be grateful. Up until the last touch down, no aircraft had been lost in an accident and no crew member had ever been seriously injured. And that in 50 years.

The story of seaking became a cult yesterday. It will still be told in 50 years' time. And as the commodore said: with endless stories, big and small.

Photos/Videos: hsc