The Albanian Air Force Regjimenti Helikopterëve has three active Cougars, a fourth being stored in Italy (the first of what was intended to be five crashed prior to delivery). This was a chance shot at dusk from my holiday accommodation as the helicopter crossed the coast headed inland over Split airport.

In 2009, the Albanian AF ("Forca Ajrore Shqiptare") ordered five Cougars for troop transport, Medevac, SAR and VIP duties. Unfortunately, the 1st one (serialled FA-630) crashed during a pre-delivery testflight in July 2012, while it was still with Eurocopter in France. The remaining four are based at Tirana Farka Heliport (LAFK) and FA-633 shown here returns from the acceptance flight after undergoing heavy maintenance at RUAG Aerospace in Alpnach. RUAG is a well known and competent Super Puma / Cougar MR&O center, drawing from 35 years of maintaining the Swiss AF Super Pumas.