28 October 2025: As Australia braces for another hot Summer, McDermott Aviation’s heavy-lift firefighting helicopters have arrived home after completing an international deployment assisting with wildfire operations across Greece.
A Boeing 747 carrying six McDermott Aviation helicopters landed at Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport early Friday morning, en route from Athens. The arrival marked the return of one of the world’s largest privately owned firefighting helicopter fleets.
Two Bell 214ST helicopters were offloaded in Toowoomba before being transported to McDermott Aviation’s Sunshine Coast base, where they will be reassembled and prepared for operational readiness ahead of the Australian summer. The 747 then continued to Western Australia, where four additional Bell 214B helicopters were unloaded and will be reassembled by McDermott’s WA based team in preparation for the state’s fire season.
“McDermott Aviation operates globally, but our heart is here in Australia,” said John McDermott, Founder and President of McDermott Aviation..
“After supporting firefighting efforts across Europe, some of our crews and aircraft have returned home to strengthen our capability as we prepare to protect Australian communities this bushfire season.”
While four McDermott Aviation aircraft remained in Greece to continue Search and Rescue operations, the company is also preparing for future growth – with two Bell 214ST airframes from long-term storage in Australia now en route to its Alabama facility in the United States for full refurbishment and fleet expansion.
The return of the helicopters came as authorities across several states prepared for heightened bushfire activity, with early forecasts indicating dry conditions and above-average temperatures in many regions.
“The return of these aircraft has bolstered our assets, allowing us to position them across Australia so that we are ready to respond wherever we are needed most,” McDermott said.
Ends.
About McDermott Aviation
McDermott Aviation, established in 1982 and headquartered on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, is Australia’s largest privately owned helicopter operator. With a fleet exceeding 50 helicopters, including the world’s largest collection of Bell 214 series aircraft, McDermott operates 15 Bell 214Bs and 14 Bell 214STs. McDermott Aviation (MCDAV) owns the Type Certificate for both the Bell 214B and 214ST series and is currently preparing to commence production of its modified Utility 214ST model.
The company specialises in aerial firefighting, heavy lifting, agricultural spraying, infrastructure support, emergency response, aerial application, tourism, and training. McDermott maintains bases across Australia and the Pacific, including in New South Wales, Western Australia, Papua New Guinea, and New Caledonia. Internationally, it has a strong operational presence in Greece and is expanding in North America through major maintenance facilities in Andalusia, Alabama, and the acquisition of Transwest Helicopters in Canada. McDermott delivers safe, reliable, and technically advanced aviation services domestically and abroad. For more information, visit www.mcdermottaviation.com.
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