Chivenor bids final farewell to RAF Search and Rescue

The RAF Search and Rescue team has flown for the final time at Chivenor. Credit: Ministry of Defence

The iconic yellow helicopter of RAF Search and Rescue Squadron 22 has flown for the final time at Chivenor, North Devon.

The team's last flight was 'business as usual' - a callout in the early hours of Sunday morning. It marks an end to decades of life-saving by the Royal Air Force, whose search and rescue operation is now being replaced by a private company.

There were emotional scenes in North Devon last week as hundreds turned out to wave farewell to the helicopter.