Aviation News – The French Air and Space Force has officially retired its iconic Puma helicopter from Air Base 367 “Captain François Massé” in French Guiana after 47 years of continuous service. The modern H225M Caracal is now taking over all operational, defense, and emergency rescue missions across the overseas territory.
The farewell marks the end of an extraordinary era that began when the Puma first entered service in French Guiana in 1979. On July 31, the final flight of the last five Puma aircraft stationed at Air Base 367 took place in a historic tribute flight. Accompanying the venerable rotorcraft were a Casa tactical transport plane, a Fennec helicopter, and the new H225M Caracal, creating a symbolic aerial formation over key installations.
During its final flyover, the formation traversed several iconic sites across the region, honoring the military units and critical infrastructure it protected for decades. The flight passed above the headquarters of the Armed Forces in French Guiana (FAG), the 9th Marine Infantry Regiment (9e RIMa), and the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI). The aircrews also flew over the Guiana Space Centre (CSG) and the Salvation Islands off Kourou, highlighting the deep emotional transition for personnel who operated the platform over generations.
For nearly half a century, the Puma served as a cornerstone of sovereignty and rapid response in South America, proving indispensable for personnel transport and heavy logistics. The aircraft played a critical operational role in Operation Harpie, tackling illegal gold mining deep within the Amazonian forest, and Operation Titan, ensuring the perimeter security of Europe’s primary spaceport. Beyond defense duties, the helicopter conducted essential medical evacuations (EVASAN) and search and rescue (SAR) operations across land and sea.
”The Puma has been an emblem of our sovereignty and a lifeline for the people of French Guiana for nearly five decades,” declared an Armed Forces in French Guiana official during the ceremony. “As we bid farewell to a legendary aircraft, the arrival of the Caracal ensures our crews maintain cutting-edge capabilities for the most demanding rescue and combat missions.”
The transition to the H225M Caracal significantly upgrades military airlift, offering superior payload capacity, extended range, and advanced avionics tailored for tropical environments. Defence authorities encourage military personnel and regional partners to leverage these advanced capabilities to strengthen sovereignty patrols and regional emergency response protocols.
Aerospatiale Puma Armée de Terre (French Army Aviation) | Rob Vogelaar
The official retirement of the Puma concludes 47 years of dedicated service to French Guiana and celebrates 50 years of the airframe within the French Air and Space Force. With the modern H225M Caracal now fully integrated, the military maintains uninterrupted defense readiness and emergency support across the region. This technological leap forward ensures that sovereign airspace and civilian communities remain safeguarded well into the future.
