The End of an Era as RACQ Ends a 22-year Sponsorship of the Rockhampton-based Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS) and Central Queensland Rescue Helicopter Service (CQ Rescue)

It's the end of an era on Sunday 30 June as RACQ ends its 22-year naming rights sponsorship of the Rockhampton-based Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS) and Central Queensland Rescue Helicopter Service (CQ Rescue).

Moreover, on Monday 1 July, CQ Rescue will commence operations with their own CASA Air Operator Certificate, without the need to out-source this to another company.  It also announced that they would be acquiring two new Agusta AW139 helicopters which will be faster and more fuel efficient than their current Bell 412 helicopters.

Consequently, on Sunday, the Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia Bell 412EP VH-CQJ departed Mackay Airport for Gladstone Airport and then the Sunshine Coast and the Ballina / Byron Bay Gateway Airport.

UPDATE!  On Monday 1 July, VH-CQJ continued to Tamworth, Dubbo and Wagga Wagga (pictured). And on Tuesday 2 July, VH-CQJ flew onwards to Griffith, Mildura and Adelaide where it will reportedly take up operations with the local rescue services.

UPDATE!  Also on Monday 1 July and Tuesday 2 July, fellow Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia Bell 412EP VH-VAU also departed Mackay Airport for good, heading North to Townsville, Cairns, Cooktown, Coen and Horn Island.

And also on Sunday 30 June, seemingly arriving into Mackay Airport for operations with CQ Rescue was LifeFlight Agusta Westland AW139 helicopter VH-XIA which arrived from Toowoomba via Gladstone Airport.

File photo

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 31 July, CQ Rescue announced that BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) as their naming rights partner.

Photos taken by Robert Myers and Drew Mackay  ©