We recently took advantage of an opportunity to take a closer look at Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service / Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia Pty Ltd Bell 412EP VH-VAU while positioned in the CHRS Hangar at Rockhampton Airport.
Owned by Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia Pty Ltd, formerly Australian Helicopters, VH-VAU is presently based in Central Queensland in support of RACQ's helicopter rescue operation at Rockhampton Airport (Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service) and Mackay Airport (Central Queensland Rescue).
While not normally based in Central Queensland, VH-VAU positioned to the region earlier this year, and according to feedback from a flightcrew member, is likely to continue operating from Rockhampton and Mackay for the foreseeable future to satisfy a contract to provide RACQ's helicopter rescue operation three Bell 412 choppers, an agreement that commenced in 2013 with then, Australian Helicopters.
Of interest, Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia Pty Ltd is a subsidiary of the Babcock International Group, a British multinational corporation headquartered in the United Kingdom. In line with the company's global helicopter operations, Babcock International rebrand its Australian Helicopters and Bond Helicopters Australia businesses under the Babcock banner in 2016.
