JACKSON, Wyo. — There will be a new red bird in the sky this winter.

Teton County Search & Rescue Foundation announced on Tuesday that the new year-round helicopter has arrived in Teton County and volunteers have been training in and around the new ship, ahead of the winter rescue season.

According to TCSAR Foundation, the single-engine H125 aircraft was built by the France-based Airbus and then customized as a rescue ship by Kansas-based EuroTec. The new heli was specially painted with a red exterior and a mountainscape based on TCSAR’s new logo. It arrived in the county on Oct. 14.

This is the first time TCSAR will have a dedicated helicopter for year-round rescues. Previously TCSAR contracted a helicopter from Oct. 1 through May 31.

TCSAR used the yellow helicopter for rescues from Oct. 31 through May 31. Slide up to see the new helicopter. Photos: TCSAR

“The new H125 helicopter comes at a time when Teton County Search & Rescue continues to see a high volume of rescue calls, within and outside our county,” TCSAR Chief Advisor Cody Lockhart said in a statement. “Having a rescue-ready helicopter year-round can be the difference between life or death for locals and visitors alike. We are incredibly grateful to our entire community and partners for helping to make this vital rescue tool a reality for Teton County.”

TCSAR Foundation raised $7.25 million through private donations to purchase the helicopter. Teton County will hold the title and deed for the helicopter and will employ the chief Pilot through the Teton County Sheriff’s Office, which oversees TCSAR operations, as stipulated by Wyoming statute.

Lindsay is a contributing reporter covering a little bit of everything; with an interest in local policies and politics, the environment and amplifying community voices. She's curious about uncovering the "whys" of our region and aims to inform the community about the issues that matter. In her free time, you can find her snowboarding, cooking or planning the next surf trip.