Ilchester,Somerset, UK — The brave men and women who risk their own lives to save people in peril are to be at the heart of a new exhibition this summer. The Fleet Air Arm Museum at RNAS Yeovilton has launched its new show as part of the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Royal Navy’s search and rescue (SAR) operations.
The service began in 1953 when the Royal Navy took delivery of its first Westland Dragonfly aircraft to form dedicated squadrons and units around the UK.
Now centred on two bases – RNAS Culdrose near Helston and HMS Gannet at Prestwick, Scotland – the service has been responsible for rescuing tens of thousands of stricken or stranded souls in some of the most challenging conditions imaginable.
At the heart of the summer-long display will be the Sea King flown by Prince Andrew in the Falklands Conflict – which was used to conduct a rescue mission during the campaign.
There will also be a Dragonfly, the small helicopter which began this rich tapestry of life-saving and heritage.
Royal Navy celebrates 60 years of life-saving search and rescue ops