Cornwall thanks Sea King search and rescue helicopters
Cornwall's eyes were drawn upwards this morning as five Sea King helicopters based a Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose flew in formation.
The Search and Rescue Squadron carried out the unusual formation to celebrate its 76th year, and to thank the county for its continued support.
The five four-man crews were extremely touched by the number of people who made the effort to come out and give them a wave during their 150 mile tour of the coast.
The Squadron is capable to operating within a 200 nautical mile radius of RNAS 24 hours a day, and carries out more than 200 rescues a year.
Their tasks include plucking sailors from sinking ships, airlifting casualties to hospital and assisting police in carrying out aerial searches.
Every year they save many lives in some of the most hazardous conditions imaginable, often putting their own lives at risk.
This year marks the Squadron’s last birthday before it hands over its search and rescue duties at the end of the year.
771 Squadron flew around the coast from Helston to Land's End, up to Newquay and over Truro, before flying back to the Lizard via Falmouth.
Their assistance to mariners in distress has gained them awards and bravery medals, for rescues including the Fastnet race of 1979, the Boscastle Floods of 2004, the MSC Napoli in January 2007 and more recently aiding the crews of the stricken ‘Panamera’ and ‘La Sillon’.
