The colours may be different but the mission is still the same for the new search and rescue helicopters based at Inverness.
In two weeks time, on April 1, Bristow Helicopters will take over responsibility for rescues in the north from the RAF.
The company won the 10-year contract for search and rescue in March 2013 and has spent around £7million building a new base at Inverness Airport, that will employ around 30.
The base was opened yesterday with guests getting a glimpse of the two £25million Sikorsky 92s that will fly mercy missions across much of Scotland.
And it is an Inverness man who will lead the team.
Chief pilot John McIntyre was brought up and educated in Inverness before joining Bristow as a trainee.
The specially-built helicopters are fitted with state-of-the art equipment, including two winches with 290ft of wire.
And as well as a range of life-saving equipment, the crew will have the ability to send electrocardiograms by e-mail to hospital, forewarning medical staff about their casualty’s condition. Infrared cameras mounted on the front of the camera will allow night searching. The crew, which will work 24-hour shifts on call, will be required to be airborne within 15 minutes of receiving word of a rescue during the day.
Bosses at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) paid tribute to the RAF – and their Sea Kings – for their service over the past four decades. Richard Parkes, the MCA’s director of maritime operations, said that the RAF had “set a challenge to emulate”.
He added: “I appreciate that change does not come without a considerable amount of anxiety and trepidation.”
But he described the new helicopters as “magnificent machines”.
Samantha Willenbacher, director of UK Search and Rescue at Bristow Helicopters, said: “We know this is a service that people rely on in times of great need and we are committed to continuing the great work of the military.”
And members of Highland mountain teams were also positive.
Willie Anderson, leader of Cairngorm MRT said: “The aircraft is sensational. It seems they have thought of everything and we are looking forward to working with it.”