Editing Eurocopter EC120 Colibri (section)

==Operational history==
{{External media|topic= |width=20% |float=right |video1=[http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2uncxz In-cockpit view of EC120 B startup sequence] |video2=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRf9N69HsRg Spanish EC120 display at NATO Days 2013 Ostrava] |video3=}}
The first EC120B was delivered in 1998. By 2008, Eurocopter had already delivered more than 550 Colibris to various customers.

In 2004, the [[United States Department of Homeland Security]] [[U.S. Customs and Border Protection]] (CBP) selected the EC120B to meet its Light Sign Cutter requirement, a program potentially involving 55 aircraft with a total value of US$75 million in then-year dollars.<ref>[http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/codeveloped-in-china-us-homeland-security-orders-ec120-helis-01956/ "Co-developed in China: US Homeland Security Orders EC120 Helis."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151221215845/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/codeveloped-in-china-us-homeland-security-orders-ec120-helis-01956/ |date=21 December 2015 }} ''Defense Industry Daily'', 1 March 2006.</ref> In 2006, the CBP ordered 15 EC120B helicopters, with a further five aircraft since ordered.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurocopterusa.com/Media/News/NewsDetail.asp?ID=537|title=American Eurocopter|website=EurocopterUSA.com|access-date=4 December 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080802162824/http://www.eurocopterusa.com/Media/News/NewsDetail.asp?ID=537|archive-date=2 August 2008}}</ref>

The [[Spanish Air and Space Force]] (SASF) has procured a number of EC120s, which are used as rotary-wing trainers at the Armilla AFB. In 2003, the SPAF formed an [[Aerobatics|aerobatic display team]], the Patrulla ASPA, which use the type; a typical display involves five EC120s performing complex manoeuvers in addition to formation flight.<ref>[http://patrullaaspa.defensa.gob.es/Presentacion/Historia/index.html "Inicios de la Patrulla ASPA."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208100601/http://patrullaaspa.defensa.gob.es/Presentacion/Historia/index.html |date=8 December 2015 }} ''patrullaaspa.defensa.gob.es'', Retrieved: 29 November 2015.</ref><ref>López, Luis Javier. [http://sevilla.abc.es/andalucia/granada/20140518/sevi-patrulla-aspa-ejercito-aire-201405171751.html "La patrulla ASPA del Ejército del Aire celebra sus diez años en Granada."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208161329/http://sevilla.abc.es/andalucia/granada/20140518/sevi-patrulla-aspa-ejercito-aire-201405171751.html |date=8 December 2015 }} ''sevilla.abc.es'', 18 May 2014.</ref>

In January 2008, the French Defense Ministry selected the EC120 as the [[French Army]]'s new lead-in rotary-wing trainer to replace the [[Aérospatiale Gazelle]]. 36 EC120 Bs equipped with [[Sagem]] avionics shall be operated through a 22-year [[public-private partnership]] (PPP) with operator Hélidax.<ref>[http://www.defense.gouv.fr/defense_uk/breves/premier_partenariat_public_prive_pour_la_defense "Premier partenariat public prive pour la defense."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080318135257/http://www.defense.gouv.fr/defense_uk/breves/premier_partenariat_public_prive_pour_la_defense |date=18 March 2008 }} ''French Ministry of Defense''.</ref> On 12 October 2010, the final EC120 was delivered to Hélidax.<ref>Parsons, Gary. [http://www.aircraftmagazine.co.uk/view_article.asp?ID=2573&pubID=3,1&t=1&s=0&p=36&i=10 "News: Last EC120 for French training delivered."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208081918/http://www.aircraftmagazine.co.uk/view_article.asp?ID=2573&pubID=3,1&t=1&s=0&p=36&i=10 |date=8 December 2015 }} ''Aircraft Magazine'', 12 October 2010.</ref>

Since 2011, a number of EC120s have been operated by the traffic police of [[Iraqi Kurdistan|Kurdistan]], [[Iraq]].<ref name="akn_tphh">[http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/3/278818/ "Kurdistan's traffic police to have helicopters."] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120718145308/http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/3/278818/ |date=18 July 2012 }} ''AKNews'', 17 December 2011.</ref> As of 2014, the crews are trained to undertake surveillance and rescue missions.<ref>Bender, Jeremy. [http://www.businessinsider.sg/peshmerga-military-equipment-2014-6/9/#.VluV-MsnyUk "As The Kurds Mobilize In Iraq, Here’s A Look At What They Have In Their Arsenal."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208064115/http://www.businessinsider.sg/peshmerga-military-equipment-2014-6/9/#.VluV-MsnyUk |date=8 December 2015 }} ''Business Insider'', 30 June 2014.</ref>