Westpac Rescue Helicopter CEO announces retirement
Steven Underwood is CEO of Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service. He is retiring at year's end due to a medical condition.
Steven Underwood is retiring as chief executive of Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service at year's end. The former RAF pilot has 25 years of flying experience.
Underwood joined the service in December 2023. Under his leadership, helicopter bases in Belmont, Tamworth and Lismore completed more than 4,500 rescue and aeromedical missions in three years.
Underwood cited a medical condition as his reason to retire. The service will now recruit his successor.
The helicopters help NSW Ambulance and NSW Health. They provide critical care, rescue missions and hospital transfers from the Hawkesbury River to the Queensland border.
- December 2023
- Underwood's start date
- 25 years
- RAF flying experience
- 4,500 in three years
- Missions completed
- Belmont, Tamworth, Lismore
- Helicopter base locations
Why it mattersThe service handles thousands of rescues and medical emergencies across northern NSW. The leadership change comes as this work continues.
AustraliaNSW's rescue helicopter service will need to find a new leader to continue operations across a vast regional area serving remote communities.
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