Heroes of the air
Published: October 26, 2006
THEY are among the RAF’s most decorated servicemen. When the dogs are howling, the shutters are banging and the rain lashes hard against blackened windows, they are the dedicated few who risk their lives to help save the lives of others.
Chivenor’s 22 Squadron A Flight - the airborne guardians of our seas, coasts, crags and cliffs - is on course to record its busiest year yet.
One of three Search and Rescue detachments in the UK - alongside Wattisham (B Flight) and Valley (C Flight) - A Flight has already been scrambled on 260 jobs this year and is expected to exceed the 251 rescues in 2004, and 284 in 2005. According to Squadron Leader Dave Webster, based at the SAR headquarters at RAF St Mawgan in Cornwall, it is a trend that is being reflected nationally: “This is our busiest summer ever nationally,” he told the Gazette.
“So far, the rolling total of lives saved across the UK stands at 1,568.
“The figure probably has something to do with the good weather we have had this year, better communications with the police and ambulance service, and with the rise in popularity in various water sports such as surfing and pleasure boating.”
With two crews on duty 24 hours a day, 22 Sqn A Flt provides an all-weather, year-round emergency response capability. The first crew can be airborne within 15 minutes during day and 45 minutes at night, with the second crew on one-hour standby.
The unit’s two Sea King rescue helicopters provide cover for a one-hour flight radius that takes in Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset, much of Wales and Birmingham, and 250 miles of Atlantic Ocean.
“Our golden hour of medical care means that anyone can be reached and receive treatment within one hour,” said Flt Lt Andy McGreevy.
“Although military aviation and rescuing downed aircrew is our primary responsibility, this only accounts for two per cent of actual call-outs,” he added.
“Ninety eight per cent of call-outs are civilian pick-ups and can include sea, coast and cliff rescue, as well as overland mountain rescues, road traffic collisions and local medical transfers to specialist hospitals in London.
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