Helicopter creates rain of flares at dusk to fight winter depression in Denmark

The Royal Danish Air Force operates a fleet of 14 EH-101 Merlin (military version of the AgustaWestland AW.101) helicopters, for Search And Rescue and transport tasks.

Even if it may have just been a joke, according to the Flyvevåbnet Facebook page, few days ago, one of them made an impressive display for a very unique reason: after receiving several inquiries by Danish people concerned by the fact that December darkness could negatively affect everyday life the RDAF decided to try to fight this scourge, bringing a little extra light by means of a Merlin releasing flares.

Flares are countermeasures carried by combat planes and helicopters in special dispencers which are released to mislead IR (infra-red) guided surface-to-air or air-to-air missile’s seekers.

More from The Aviationist

Military Aviation

U.S. Approves Foreign Military Sale for South Korean F-15K Upgrade

Drones

Battle Manager-Pilot Commands AI-controlled Aircraft In Real Time During Skunk Works Test

Military History

The Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet: Hitler’s Hot Rod Rocket Plane

Russia

Russia Launches ‘New’ Ballistic Missile At Ukraine – Reports

Military Aviation

New Engine Covers Help the Air Force Protect B-52s from Ice, Saving Time and Millions

Image credit: RDAF

Related articles

• From the cockpit: F-16 solo, diving towards the ground while turning and releasing flares
• These images will bring you aboard a rescue chopper during a SAR training mission at sea
• Eurofighter Typhoon Enhancement Program delivers robust simultaneous multi-/swing-role capability
• Stunning GoPro video shows Marines helicopter underwater escape training
• This cool image shows what an F-16 flare cartridge looks like moments after being ejected
• [Photo] Man-carrying, under-wing pods capable of being fitted to fighter jets and helicopters
• Video of Syrian Helicopter surving a surface-to-air missile hit becomes a controversial commercial