The last flight of Poland’s only shipborne helicopters has taken place at the 43rd Naval Aviation Base at Gdynia-Babie Doły, when two pilots completed their flight training and the last Polish SH-2G touched down to end the types operational career.

Four Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprites were transferred as a US Government grant to the Polish Navy in 2002. The first two were delivered in October 2002 and entered operational service in August 2003, after completion of pilot and ground/deck personnel training.

They operated by 43 Baza Lotnictwa Morskiego, “Dragonflies” flight who provided ships ASW flights to the Polish Navy. They were operated from two Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates ORP Gen. Kazimierz Pułaski (ex USS Clark) and ORP Gen. Tadeusz Kościuszko (ex USS Wadsworth).

During 22 years long service Polish SH-2G and their crews took part in a number of NATO operations from the Baltic seas of Norway to the Mediterranean and Black Seas. They proved their worth to their NATO partners and writing a new operational chapter of Polish Navy history.

The use of the Polish Super Seasprites ended due to lack of spares and technical support from manufacturer and the fate of four airframes is unclear because as the original donor the US Government has the final say. It is believed that all these unique helicopters will stay in Poland to be preserved in museums.