Brian Fare looks at the history of rotary involvement with RAF Search and Rescue
Little interest in using helicopters for Air Sea Rescue was shown until the Far East Air Force (FEAF) Casualty Evacuation Flight was formed in 1950 to evacuate wounded troops from otherwise inaccessible jungle locations during the Malayan conflict. Such was its success, that in 1953 it was expanded to become No 194 Squadron.
In January that same year, 1953, catastrophic floods in Holland saw the UK despatch 15 Royal Navy helicopters, several of which were flown by RAF crews. In total, more than 800 civilians were rescued.
The combined success of the FEAF Casevac Flight and the Dutch floods operation was the catalyst that led to the RAF's Air Sea Warfare Development Unit (ASWDU) receiving a Sycamore 12 and restarting its investigations in to helicopter rescue techniques. After the ASDWU trials, the first dedicated Search and Rescue (SAR) unit was formed in April 1953 at RAF Linton-on-Ouse: No 275 Squadron.
The squadron operated Sycamore 14s which were fitted with winches, and although better that the Dragonflys used in Malaya, still had their limitations.
Designed as an executive transport aircraft, the Sycamore had a small two-person cabin. During SAR operations, if the winch was sent down on its own the casualty had to fit it themselves. If the navigator went down on the winch, the winch had to be operated by the pilot – at the same time as flying the helicopter.
No 275 Squadron moved to RAF Thornaby in 1954 then to RAF Leconfield in 1957 where it stayed until September 1959 when it was disbanded and became known as No 228 Squadron. In September 1964, No 228 Squadron was disbanded when it was renumbered as No 202 Squadron. Although it was based at Leconfield, 202 Squadron had detached flights at RAF Acklington, RAF Aldergrove, RAF Chivenor, RAF Horsham St Faith, RAF Leuchars and RAF North Coates.
In February 1955, No 22 Squadron was reformed as a Coastal Command unit at RAF Thorney Island, initially operating the Sycamore 12 until they were replaced by the Whirlwind HAR2 in June 55.
The Sycamore had sufficient capability for rescuing a downed airman from a fighter aircraft, but the Whirlwind's greater power and range enabled the rescuing crew from larger aircraft of up to five persons at a range of 100 nautical miles.
The introduction of the Whirlwind on 31 August 1955 included a rescue display in the English Channel. It did not go well.
Part of the display involved an RAF Vosper 68ft Rescue Target Towing Launch. Onboard the launch was Air-Vice Marshal H A Constantine, Air Officer Commanding No 25 Group, Flying Training Command at RAF Manby and his ADC Flight Lieutenant John Elliott. Numerous press reporters and photographers were also in attendance.
As the helicopter was hovering approximately 30 feet from the launch ready to lift a stretcher case from its deck, the Whirlwind suddenly plummeted into the sea.
Thankfully, the two crew members – the Squadron's Commanding Officer Squadron Leader Paul Bowry, and navigator Flight Sergeant Grant Scoggins – both managed to escape before the wreckage sank. This was the first accident for 22 Squadron since receiving the Whirlwind back in May. Their four aircraft had together flown more than 340 hours with great success and without accident.
22 Sqn Whirlwind crashing in front of the launch during the 1955 rescue display
In the early days navigation on the Whirlwind was basic. It relied not on the Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) system as used in modern aircraft, but rather on the 'Take A Competent Air Navigator' system. It wasn't until the introduction of the 'Search and Rescue and homing beacon' (SARAH) and Search and Rescue Beacon (SARBE) that the chances of finding a downed airman in the sea around the UK greatly improved.
It was towards the end of 1957 that the SAR helicopter fleet adopted the familiar colour scheme so immediately recognisable today: Golden Yellow (BS381C:356), with the word RESCUE marked prominently on the side in large black letters.
Most SAR units were based around the UK coastline, but some were at bases overseas. No 284 Squadron was reformed at Nicosia in Cyprus on 15 October 1956, with its primary role being troop carrying, logistic support and internal security, with an additional task of providing SAR cover operating both the Sycamore and the Whirlwind.
A SAR Whirlwind on a training exercise with the RNLI Bridlington inshore rescue boat
The Squadron was re-badged on 1 August 1959 becoming No 103 Squadron operating in the SAR, casualty evacuation and internal security role.
One notable action for 103 Squadron occurred on 7 December 1960 when the MV Snjeznik ship ran aground at night in strong winds. No longer able to use the emergency lifeboats, the ship's captain called for assistance.
By first light, 103 Squadron had deployed three Sycamores to Famagusta along with fuel supplies, ground crews, a doctor and an ambulance. During the rescue operation, one of the helicopters hit the mast of the ship and crashed into the sea.
The navigator managed to escape but the pilot was trapped inside when the aircraft sunk. When he finally manged to get out of the cabin, he was unable to operate the inflation bottle of his life jacket and went underwater three more times. As he came up on his final push, a helicopter crew skilfully placed a strop over him as his arms appeared out of the water.
For this rescue, the squadron members received several gallantry awards including two Air Force Crosses, two Queen's Gallantry Awards and Green Endorsements.
MV Snjeznik and 103 Sqn Sycamore
In additional to Cyprus, in December 1956, 284 Squadron established an SAR detachment at RAF El Adem near Tobruk in Libya to support the Armament Practice Camps. Their tasking encompassed rescues from both the sea and the desert as well as the movement of casualties, including pregnant women to the British hospital at Benghazi.
The flying taskings were managed by the parent Squadron back at Nicosia, with the pilots rotating monthly from Nicosia while any engineering work was carried out by the El Adem Station Flight, supported by Nicosia engineers as and when required.
The SAR cover at El Adem continued until the RAF left in 1969. In June 1957, the Station Flight was re-established with two Sycamores for SAR cover but due to the rising tensions in Aden, one of the Sycamores was relocated to Aden for SAR cover. The Sycamores carried on serving until the mid-1960's at El Adem and Aden when they were eventually replaced by Whirlwinds and the new Wessex respectively.
There was another overseas SAR flight formed at RAF Muharraq, Bahrain in December 1967 operating two Wessex aircraft.
Back in the UK, No 202 Squadron operated the Whirlwind until the summer of 1978 when it was re-equipped with the Sea King HAR3, although for a short period it operated the Wessex when its Sea Kings were involved in the Falklands conflict.
Following the liberation of the Falkland Islands in 1982, a SAR capability was introduced at Stanley airport and later at RAF Mount Pleasant equipped with Sea King HAR3's operated by 1564 Flight, 78 Squadron.
The Wessex continued in service with No 22 Sqn until the mid-1990's when again it was replaced by the Sea King.
22 Sqn Wessex at Blackpool airport
During its long service history, the RAF SAR Force worked closely with the RAF Mountain Rescue Service as well as the civil emergency services, the coast guard and Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
In 2015, the responsibility for providing SAR cover was taken away from the military and handed over to the UK Governments Department of Transport through its Aviation Airspace Division and Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
Following the MCA's takeover of SAR the RAF retired its fleet of Sea Kings, ending one of the longest peacetime operations conducted by any British military unit. It was during his period that SAR personnel earned the highest number of non-combat gallantry awards given to any RAF unit including six George Medals and more than 50 Air Force Crosses.
On the retirement of the Sea Kings in 2015, the RAF SAR helicopters had assisted 26,916 people in the UK since official records began in 1983.
Even though the 'yellow perils' have long gone, the RAF still has an involvement in SAR duties. No 84 Squadron based at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus provides SAR cover for visiting fast jets as well as civilian incidents and firefighting. Over the years, they have operated the Wessex, Griffin, Puma and Jupiter helicopters.
The Boeing P8A Poseidon MRA1 operated by 120 and 201 Squadrons at RAF Lossiemouth, as well as the Airbus Atlas at RAF Mount Pleasant, are also employed in the SAR roles.
Over the years the RAF SAR Force has been preserved in TV history where it featured regularly on the BBC programme 'Helicopter Rescue', as well as the 13-part documentary 'Rescue', featuring the work of Rescue 137, a 202 Squadron Sea King at RAF Lossiemouth.
In addition to TV, the SAR force is also preserved in philately and postal history, with several sets of stamps and covers issued to commemorate various events.
Stamps issued by Jersey to mark the 75th anniversary of RAF Search and Rescue.
Brian Fare served in the RAF between 1985 and 2012 as an Airframe Engineer. He currently works for the RAF Association and is a member of its Melton Mowbray Branch. More of his writing can be found at historyfare.co.uk
(All images courtesy of Brian Fare)
