30 Aug 2024

Buzz in the Torres Strait as Babcock delivers two new ‘dragonfly’ helicopters

Two new critical incident helicopters, that will conduct lifesaving aeromedical evacuations, will be operational across the Torres Strait within a matter of months, after successfully arriving in Queensland, Australia.

Babcock officially handed over the Leonardo AW139 helicopters to Queensland Health in Cairns this week, where they are being custom fitted with specialist medical equipment before heading to the Torres Strait.

The new aircraft can fly faster and further than the existing fleet and have enhanced retrieval, search, and rescue capabilities, assisting crews to respond quicker to those needing emergency assistance.

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 Australasia Chief Executive Officer Andrew Cridland said: “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.

“These two state-of-the-art 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.”

Queensland Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman said: “As the Ministerial Champion for the Torres Strait, I am acutely aware of the challenges of providing health care in this beautiful, and extremely remote, part of Queensland. These brand-new helicopters will support our hardworking health heroes to safely transfer patients and deliver emergency health care in some of the most remote locations in the state.”

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.

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.