RAF come to the assistance of the RN

During a routine training exercise in Glen Coe over the weekend, the crew of a Royal Navy search and rescue Sea King from HMS Gannet in Prestwick identified a defect and landed the aircraft as a precautionary... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Flt Lt Wales completes his final tour of duty with RAF SAR

The Duke of Cambridge has completed his tour of duty with the Search and Rescue Force at RAF Valley. During his last shift, Flt Lt William Wales and his crew had... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Thank You to RAF Sea King Saviours

After sustaining major injuries in a caving accident in Apr 00, Janice Brown was airlifted from Yorkshire to hospital by the RAF Search and Rescue helicopter crew from E Flight, 202 Sqn. Janice had suffered severe... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

RAF Hawk makes emergency landing at Newcastle Airport

A RAF Hawk from RAF Leeming was forced to make an emergency landing yesterday at Newcastle Airport, the pilot reporting that fumes filled the cockpit. A Sea King, from... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

On the BBC - Thrilling real-life drama is business as usual for RAF Search and Rescue

A new series of Helicopter Rescue lands on BBC One Wales on 8 April and viewers will be able to experience the drama and suspense of thrilling rescue footage featuring... More information

Good-bye to 70 years of Outstanding Service

The Department for Transport has announced that the Bristow Group will take over search and rescue from the RAF replacing the Sea King with the more modern Sikorsky S-92, ending 70 years of military search and rescue.The ten year contract, is estimated to be worth £1.6bn. It is understood Bristows, which until 1996 was a British company, will operate two aircraft from 10 sites around the UK with all operating bases providing... More information

3 RAF teams involved in Cairngorms rescue

A major search operation was launched over the weekend involving three mountain rescue teams from RAF Leeming, Leuchars and Kinloss. SAR teams and dogs were all involved in the operation to seach for a group of students from Leeds University who had not returned. Five of the party were airlifted by a RAF Lossiemouth Sea King...More information »

RAF SAR Busy all Weekend

With extreme weather conditions affecting most of the country, RAF Search and Rescue teams have had a busy weekend and been on at a constant state of readiness. One rescue involved a heavily pregnant woman. Captain of the aircraft, Flt Lt Taff Wilkins said: "When the crew arrived, conditions were near zero visibility... We popped a smoke grenade onto the ground next to the landing site as we overflew it...More information »

Confirming the end of RAF SAR

In a written ministerial statement, Armed Forces Minister Nick Harvey, has confirmed the MoDs intention to end the military provision of search and rescue helicopter services. Military provision of SAR cover of the UK and Falkland Islands will end in Apr 16 with the retirement of the Sea King. The announcement comes as part of the long running Defence Rotary Wing Capability Study...More information »

Flt Lt Wales gains his Operational Captaincy

Prince William has qualified as a Search and Rescue Operational Captain. The qualification means Flt Lt Wales is now able to lead rescues in a RAF Sea King in all weathers, day or night. OC 22 Sqn Wg Cdr Mark 'Sparky' Dunlop, said: "Flt Lt Wales demonstrated the required standards needed for the award of Operational Captaincy. Because of the nature of SAR ops, the required standards are always set very high...More information »

Chinook to the Rescue of Sea King

An RAF Sea King has had to be rescued by a Chinook after a fault caused its crew to make an emergency landing near Aonach Mor. The aircraft and crew had been on their way to rescue a walker who had fallen into a Corrie. Members of RAF Leuchars Mountain Rescue Team guarded the grounded aircraft until a Chinook from RAF Odiham could airlift the Sea King...More information »

Flt Lt Wales Prepping for his first Falkland Islands Sortie

1564 Flight, Mount Pleasant Complex, Falkland Islands. Flt Lt William Wales and his fellow crew members prepare for their first sortie of their six week deployment to the FI. Operating the Sea King Mk3 as part of 1564 Flight, their primary duties are to provide cover for the aviation assets based on the island in addition, they can offer assistance to the vast array of shipping around the islands and a mountain rescue role...See full details

Demise of Armed Forces SAR in the UK

The Department for Transport has announced the start of the procurement process to replace UK-wide Armed Forces Search and Rescue with a civilian service and civilian crews. The Secretary of State for Transport, Justine Greening, said: "It will enable our Armed Forces to focus on front line operations. It will also ensure the MoD is able to meet its previously announced intention to retire its fleet of Sea Kings by Mar 16...More information »