This EC725R2 Caracal crashed in Burkina Faso during what was reported as a night-time training flight on 29 November 2014. The Caracal supported Operation Barkhane, the French mission against terrorism in the Sahel region. This Caracal was assigned to EH 1/67 at the moment of the picture. Below the pilots door, a NATO ISAF badge is applied.

Operated by EH 1/67

Participant to Cazaux air show for the 80th French Air force anniversary

Special ops chopper from Helicopter Squadron "Pyrénées"

Will be delivered to the French Air force in the next few weeks. Note the "SJ" crossed-out code.

Used by Helicopter Squadron EH 01-067 "Pyrénées" for Special Forces duty (CSAR). Taken during Orléans air show 2006.

The EC.725 is a combat search & rescue/troop transport helicopter developed from the AS.532 Cougar with a five-blade composite main rotor. 14 were ordered for the French forces starting in 2005 and production has also commenced under licence in Brazil

The Caracal is quite a beast.

The Caracal combat rescue helicopter entered French service in 2005 and it seems that this machine came straight from Afghanistan when it was demonstrated here at the LIMA exhibition. This was apparently succesful as Malaysia ordered twelve EC725s in 2009.