The mighty Westland Seaking MK41 helicopter was the primairy Search and rescue Helicotper for the German Navy. It was flown for half a century before it was finally retired on August 31st 2024. The Marinefliegergeschwader 5 held a moment for Aviation photographers, Enthousiasts and press a day prior to the last flight.

On the day of the last flight about 50 aviation photographers gathered at the fence of the airbase in Nordholz to capture the last flight of a Seaking helicopter in service with the MFG 5. The Search and Rescue (SAR) duties of the MK41 were taken over by the newly introduced NH industries NH90 NFH Sea Lion.

Before its retirement, the Seaking MK41 completed over 14,000 mission flights. While most of these were Search and Rescue (SAR) operations over the North and Baltic Seas, the Sea Kings and their crews of three to four were often called upon for special assignments. Notable examples include their deployment during the severe snow disaster of 1978/1979 shortly after entering service, the Oder River flood in 1997, and in response to the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004.

Most of the german airframes have been send over to Ukraine. However there are some airframes that have been put into museums around germany. The specially painted Search and rescue helicopter (89+63) Will be dismantled and put as a gate guardian at the Nordholz Air base to honor its part in the german navy.