The Aviation Magazine No 52 September-October 2017 | Page 22
T he German Navy, Naval Air Wing 5, based at Nordholz, was the host of the 9th SAR‐Meet since its
foundation in 1996. The MFG‐5 (Marinefliegergeschwader) had invited for another network meeting for
European rescue crews. Teams from five partner nations followed the invitation to measure their flying
abilities and to exchange their experiences ‐ “Best Practice Sharing”! Denmark and Portugal sent dele‐
gations without helicopter.
For the MFG‐5 it was very important to offer both a press and a spotter day. A family day was also or‐
ganized on Saturday afternoon, so that the relatives could take pictures from their family members at
work. In lack of time and few resources not an easy job. Lieutenant Susanne Tewes and her team man‐
aged this big challenge brilliantly, so that all events around the SAR‐Meet became a great success. A big
compliment to this team also because the main job of organizing the event had been done outside the
regular working hours!
The event is held biennially and it was the second time the Naval Air Base Nordholz was chosen as the
host for this venue. The SAR‐meet failed once in 2012 during the closing of Naval Air Base Kiel‐
Holtenau, the former home base from MFG‐ 5.The inventory of the MFG‐5 includes 22 Westland Sea
Lynx Mk. 88 A and 21 Westland Sea King Mk. 41. The Sea Lynx are based on frigates. They support the
Navy in their anti submarine role, transport troops and are used for SAR tasks between the ship con‐
voys. The Sea King joined the German Navy in 1972 and is still in service, but a replacement is on the
way, the NHI NH‐90 “Sea Lyon". This was the reason why the host invited to the first ever held “NH‐90
Meet”. A good idea from the host, but the meeting fell through (fell into the sea). Because of unknown
reasons, the French and Italian Navy cancelled their participation. The German Air Force brought one
NH‐90TTH from Bückeburg to Nordholz, which didn’t take part in the flying challenge. The Belgian Navy
from 40 Sqn. brought one NH‐90 “Caiman” to Nordholz; due to technical problems the Caiman re‐
mained grounded. This was that meeting that never was.
Nordholz is also the home base from Naval Air Wing 3 “Graf Zeppelin”. The inventory includes 2 Dorn‐
ier Do‐228 LM and 8 x P‐3C Orion, which are now taking part in an upgrade program that includes in‐
stallation and check out of the MLU‐K15 kits and also a re‐winging. The program is set for 8 years and
should extend the lifetime for the P‐3C up to 15 000 hours per aircraft. The Do‐228 LM has taken over
the monitoring of environmental pollution in the German coastal area.
On May, 19th a press conference was held in the morning. At the beginning Chief of Staff and Deputy
Commander Captain Broder Nielsen honoured Commander Mark Jörg Matthee, Commodore from the
MFG‐3 and Commander Mark Wie