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San Diego Gas and Electric's Blackhawk helicopter drops water on the Henderson Fire in Pala, California. It was quite difficult to get to this mountain location where we were above, or at eye level, as various aircraft dropped. We had to go on private land and fortunately the owner gave us permission, and actually drove us to a better location in an all-terrain vehicle. Being able to photograph these highly skilled and brave pilots is such an honor and privilege.

Marty Wolin
271

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I got an amazing opportunity to photograph Army AH-4 Apache Attack helicopters from the 4th Battalion, 6th Cavalry flying through a desert canyon in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park near the town of Borrego Springs, California. Fortunately, I was able to drive a sandy dirt road to the location and climb a very slippery, but short hill, because the hike in 106° weather would have been quite difficult.

Marty Wolin
258

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Pilots from the No. 27 Squadron of the British Royal Air Force posing in front of their Boeing Chinook HC6 military helicopter during a night shoot at RAF Odiham, UK.

Kris Christiaens
311

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Dark Night Scene Call EC145 E lite, Duke Life Fligjt 1 Henderson NC.

Brian Brown
279

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Some birds roost at night

Robert Chaumont
256

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Helicopter Transport Services Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane N6979R making a drop on the Allen Creek Fire near Peshastin Washington after drafting from the nearby Wenatchee River.

Ryan Higgins
257

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Helicopter Transpot Services Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane N6979R drafting from the Wenatchee River in Dryden WA in support of the Allen Creek fire threatening homes up Blewett Pass.

Ryan Higgins
275

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HP Helicopters Sikorsky Blackhawk N8286 descending the Entiat River valley in front of Numeral Mountain about to draft water from the Columbia River in support of the Lower Sugarloaf Fire

Ryan Higgins
272

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Northwest Helicopters N660NW Blackhawk dubbed 'Merica lifting off from Beehive Reservoir up Mission Ridge after drafting water in support of the Mission Ridge Fire.

Ryan Higgins
333

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Northwest Helicopters N660NW Blackhawk dubbed 'Merica setting down to draft weater from Beehive Reservoir on Mission Ridge in support of the Mission Ridge Fire.

Ryan Higgins
288

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Northwest Helicopters N660NW Blackhawk dubbed 'Merica with its final flight of the night up the Entiat River Valley in support of the Lower Sugarloaf Fire after drafting from the Columbia River

Ryan Higgins
264

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Landing on the rocks in our Robinson R66. Coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Amy Leinsing
252

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Winco Powerline Services MD500 series helicopter stringing pilot rope on the CAPX2020 transmission power line upgrade project in Dakota County, Minnesota.

Renee Kirchner
264

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Inserting rappellers into a fire while a Blackhawk conducts drops in the background.

Brit Laurenti
266

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Here you see two Dutch AH64E Apaches taking off together at sunset, straight towards me. A classic case of: right time, right place. I'm very happy with this photo because they look great together, and the last sunlight casts a beautiful orange glow.

Floris Koenders
565

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Here you see a Dutch CH47F Chinook helicopter working with soldiers. It looked like something out of a movie, especially when a smoke grenade was thrown. The green color of the Chinook created a striking effect.

Floris Koenders
528

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Night Op’s on the Palisades Fire

Kevin Iacovoni
377

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Here you see a Dutch CH47F Chinook practicing with the Bambi Bucket. It was a beautiful, clear day. At just the right moment, a rainbow appeared. That's a striking detail in the photo.

Floris Koenders
426

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This was on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. 2 R66 Helicopters being showcased to a variety of people. The salt flats speak for themselves and makes it look like the helicopters are on water and waves.

Braydan Marble
263

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A flight school's Robinson R22 trainer sitting on the ramps during a warm summer afternoon. The photo captures the reflection of the sun and clouds in its crystal clear windshield.

Carver Menne
258

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Photo taken in the Arctic Circle Canada - Paulatuk NWT Hornaday Canyon (Aerial Support provided to the First Nations and Inuit people) Helicopter Astar B2 (Great Slave Helicopters)

Louis Cannington
258

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Otway Helicopters AS350 B3+ spreading fertiliser in South west Victoria Australia

Sandra Martin
253

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Otway Helicopters Spraying Weeds on a farm in South West Victoria Australia

Sandra Martin
254

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Utah DPS Aero Bureau conducting Air Rescue Systems fluid dynamic hoist training at Snowbird in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah. Spectacular Fall colors for a breathtaking day in the office! Settings: f/6.3, Shutter Speed 1/2500, Center-weighted average.

Dan Leifson
257

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A NH90 TTH helicopter of the German Army flies into the sunlight at the Antidotum 2025 airshiw in Poland. The German Army NH90 Display Team is a helicopter display team of the German Army Aviation Corps. Operating under the Tactical Helicopter Regiment 10 (TrspHubschrRgt 10) based in Faßberg, the team showcases the advanced capabilities and versatility of the NH90 helicopter, representing the prowess of the German Army in aerial demonstrations.

Kris Christiaens
703

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Pilots of a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter of the Swedish Air Force waving goodbye to the crowd at the Royal International Air Tattoo 2025.

Kris Christiaens
279

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Eye-to-eye with a Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopter of the British Army Air Corps during a night mission at RAF Odiham.

Kris Christiaens
388

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G-UHGB of Heli-Lift services at Llangynidr moors, Wales. The aircraft was tasked with carrying equipment onto the moor to be used to fix a gas pipeline

Alex Lee
272

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VORTEX565 ZH894 from 18 sqn RAF flying through the Usk Valley, South Wales. This aircraft was heading to Sennybridge training area to conduct troop transport

Alex Lee
253

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Crewman checking the rotor clearance of a Royal Navy Merlin HC4 after landing in a confined area on Salisbury Plain Training Area JUNGLY14 845nas ZJ130

Alex Lee
261

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A Czech Police Bell 412 dropping water at a training exercise with Czech and German firefighters.

Johannes Herrmann
265

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Operator of the German Federal Police Air Unit Blumberg ready for dropping on a wildland fire in Saxony.

Johannes Herrmann
269

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Idyllic scenery at a spring sunset HEMS call for 'Christoph 34' from Güstrow, Germany.

Johannes Herrmann
229

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Refueling stop at Bautzen airfield for this Sky Heli EC135 prior to a powerline inspection flight.

Johannes Herrmann
256

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A Czech Air Force Venom taking off for a flying display at Caslav Air Base Open House 2025.

Johannes Herrmann
251

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A German Federal Police EC135T2+ departing for a patrol flight along the German Polish border.

Johannes Herrmann
275

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Sunrise over Peace River

Becky Grimsrud
287

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A Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm Bo 105 helicopter shows its maneuverability in combination with fireworls and pyrotechnics during the Sanicole 2025 sunset airshow.

Kris Christiaens
641

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Royal Navy Merlin MK4 Helicopter Commando low level flying on Dartmoor in support of the Ten Tors 2025 event under Operation Wyvern Tor. The RN rotary assets assist with many logistics of the event including, transport, load delivery, casevac etc.

Bob Sharples
264

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This summer, I had the unique opportunity to accompany Air Zermatt on two days of real live mountain rescues. With my camera, I was able to get up close and personal as the crews set off on demanding missions in the Valais mountains at short notice. These were intense hours full of impressions, marked by situations that are far removed from everyday life: the moment when seconds count, the interaction between pilot, rescue specialists and doctors, and the incredible precision with which everyone in the team acts. For me, it was not only a special experience photographically, but also very moving on a human level. The mountains reveal their full beauty, but also their dangers – and the professionalism of Air Zermatt commands deep respect.

Michael Portmann
301

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This summer, I had the unique opportunity to accompany Air Zermatt on two days of real live mountain rescues. With my camera, I was able to get up close and personal as the crews set off on demanding missions in the Valais mountains at short notice. These were intense hours full of impressions, marked by situations that are far removed from everyday life: the moment when seconds count, the interaction between pilot, rescue specialists and doctors, and the incredible precision with which everyone in the team acts. For me, it was not only a special experience photographically, but also very moving on a human level. The mountains reveal their full beauty, but also their dangers – and the professionalism of Air Zermatt commands deep respect.

Michael Portmann
282

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Helicopter Rescue in Winter – An Extraordinary Experience Experiencing a helicopter rescue in winter as a photographer is anything but ordinary. As the rotor blades cut through the icy mountain air and snow clouds swirl around, you witness an impressive interplay of precision, courage, and technology. The team works with meticulous precision, every movement perfectly coordinated.
As a photographer, you suddenly become part of this dynamic while simultaneously observing the fascinating harmony between humans and machinery. Such moments not only deepen your respect for the mountains but also your appreciation for life and the people dedicated to saving it.

Michael Portmann
274

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Helicopter Rescue in Winter – An Extraordinary Experience Experiencing a helicopter rescue in winter as a photographer is anything but ordinary. As the rotor blades cut through the icy mountain air and snow clouds swirl around, you witness an impressive interplay of precision, courage, and technology. The team works with meticulous precision, every movement perfectly coordinated.
As a photographer, you suddenly become part of this dynamic while simultaneously observing the fascinating harmony between humans and machinery. Such moments not only deepen your respect for the mountains but also your appreciation for life and the people dedicated to saving it.

Michael Portmann
268

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Air Zermatt asked me to document their daily helicopter missions – from flying supplies to remote mountain huts to transporting materials to high-alpine construction sites. Always impressive to witness their precision and skill in such extreme terrain.

Michael Portmann
282

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This summer, I had the unique opportunity to accompany Air Zermatt on two days of real live mountain rescues. With my camera, I was able to get up close and personal as the crews set off on demanding missions in the Valais mountains at short notice. These were intense hours full of impressions, marked by situations that are far removed from everyday life: the moment when seconds count, the interaction between pilot, rescue specialists and doctors, and the incredible precision with which everyone in the team acts. For me, it was not only a special experience photographically, but also very moving on a human level. The mountains reveal their full beauty, but also their dangers – and the professionalism of Air Zermatt commands deep respect.

Michael Portmann
305

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Air Zermatt asked me to document their daily helicopter missions – from flying supplies to remote mountain huts to transporting materials to high-alpine construction sites. Always impressive to witness their precision and skill in such extreme terrain.

Michael Portmann
286

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Air Zermatt asked me to document their daily helicopter missions – from flying supplies to remote mountain huts to transporting materials to high-alpine construction sites. Always impressive to witness their precision and skill in such extreme terrain.

Michael Portmann
344

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This summer, I had the unique opportunity to accompany Air Zermatt on two days of real live mountain rescues. With my camera, I was able to get up close and personal as the crews set off on demanding missions in the Valais mountains at short notice. These were intense hours full of impressions, marked by situations that are far removed from everyday life: the moment when seconds count, the interaction between pilot, rescue specialists and doctors, and the incredible precision with which everyone in the team acts. For me, it was not only a special experience photographically, but also very moving on a human level. The mountains reveal their full beauty, but also their dangers – and the professionalism of Air Zermatt commands deep respect.

Michael Portmann
154

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H125 supporting S64F Skycrane in mountain external load ops.

David Leipsig
167

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High altitude operations Western Saudi Arabia

David Leipsig
164

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PJ Helicopters Blackhawk 9PJ lifts out of the dip as Coulson's CH47 9CU returns for another load of water while battling the Dale Fire.

Jeremy Ulloa
187

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Siller Helicopters CH-54 Helitanker 95B makes a water drop on the Wolf Fire as a firefighter looks on.

Jeremy Ulloa
187

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CalFire's S-70i Copter 605 makes a direct hit on a flare up on the Gibble Fire.

Jeremy Ulloa
193

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Leonardo AW139 "Carabinieri" call-sign "Fiamma 03" during "SATER 1-25" military exercise with "Soccorso Alpino Emilia Romagna" SAER and Italian Air Force.

Domenico Marchi
165

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Leonardo UH-169A "Guardia di Finanza" callsign "Volpe 512" MM82062 during the exercise with the "Emilia Romagna Alpine Rescue" in "Pietra di Bismantova" municipality of Castelnovo nè Monti.

Domenico Marchi
166

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A dog handler of the Belgian Federal Police Special Units is lowered from an MD902 Explorer police helicopter during a demonstration of the Belgian special police units.

Kris Christiaens
359

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This Merlin of 846NAS was photographed from another Merlin during an anti-terrorism training mission over the North Sea, just after dropping of Dutch special forces on a ship.

Aj de Heer
187

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Three Merlins of 846NAS and a Dutch police AW139 are on their way to the target, a coast guard vessel 15 out of the Dutch coast near Amsterdam, to drop off a large force of SOF-operators to train a hostage rescue operation.

Aj de Heer
158

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Dutch special forces operators are fastroping from a Merlin of 846NAS during an anti-terrorism training mission over the North Sea, and about to perform a simulated hostage rescue on board of Dutch Coast Guard vessel Barend Biesheuvel.

Aj de Heer
160

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A Merlin of 846NAS turns towards the target location during an anti-terrorism training mission over the North Sea, with Dutch special forces operators about to perform a simulated hostage rescue on board of a Dutch Coast Guard vessel. Photo is shot from another Merlin which is providing top cover for the operation, together with a Dutch police AW139.

Aj de Heer
157
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