FlarePhot
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Royal Navy Search and Rescue (SAR) Flight, HMS Gannet, say âso-long Scotlandâ with a final farewell fly-past.
The Royal Navyâs helicopter heroes, who are based at HMS Gannet in Prestwick, have been involved in thousands of Scottish rescues in the 44-years since the unit was first established.
On December 30 they performed a major rescue when they assisted 12 people trapped on a bus caught in floodwater near Girvan.
Two days later, on January 1st, the unit handed the rescue baton to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency contractor Bristow Helicopters, bringing to an end military SAR.
But on Thursday, January 14, the Gannet team got the chance to say goodbye when they flew past some of the areas that have seen the majority of their rescues.
And the team are hoping that the public come out to wave them goodbye.
The Royal Navy Sea King MK 5 helicopters from HMS Gannet will flew-over Prestwick, Glasgow, Garelochhead, Tyndrum / Crainlarich, Lochaber, Oban, Inverlochlarig, Stirling, Edinburgh, Ayr and finally back to Prestwick.
Commanding Officer of HMS Gannet, Lieutenant Commander Charlie Fuller, said: âOver the years HMS Gannet has enjoyed immense support from communities the length and breadth of Scotland.
âThe fly-past was our chance to say farewell and hopefully people will come out to wave goodbye too.â
During 2015 HMS Gannet was the busiest search and rescue flight in the UK, completing over 300 rescues.
The unit also holds the record for the most rescues in one year when, in 2009, HMS Gannet conducted 447 rescues around the country.
The December 30th events saw the duty crew, Lieutenant Commander Martin Lanni, Lieutenant Richie Lightfoot, Lieutenant James Bullock and Petty Officer Alan Speed rescued ten people in Dailly near Girvan.
The crew avoided 120ft trees and racing currents to rescue the stricken passengers trapped on a bus caught in floodwaters.
The crew worked until reaching their fuel endurance and a final two persons were recovered
NE160001
Royal Navy Search and Rescue (SAR) Flight, HMS Gannet, say âso-long Scotlandâ with a final farewell fly-past.
The Royal Navyâs helicopter heroes, who are based at HMS Gannet in Prestwick, have been involved in thousands of Scottish rescues in the 44-years since the unit was first established.
On December 30 they performed a major rescue when they assisted 12 people trapped on a bus caught in floodwater near Girvan.
Two days later, on January 1st, the unit handed the rescue baton to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency contractor Bristow Helicopters, bringing to an end military SAR.
But on Thursday, January 14, the Gannet team got the chance to say goodbye when they flew past some of the areas that have seen the majority of their rescues.
And the team are hoping that the public come out to wave them goodbye.
The Royal Navy Sea King MK 5 helicopters from HMS Gannet will flew-over Prestwick, Glasgow, Garelochhead, Tyndrum / Crainlarich, Lochaber, Oban, Inverlochlarig, Stirling, Edinburgh, Ayr and finally back to Prestwick.
Commanding Officer of HMS Gannet, Lieutenant Commander Charlie Fuller, said: âOver the years HMS Gannet has enjoyed immense support from communities the length and breadth of Scotland.
âThe fly-past was our chance to say farewell and hopefully people will come out to wave goodbye too.â
During 2015 HMS Gannet was the busiest search and rescue flight in the UK, completing over 300 rescues.
The unit also holds the record for the most rescues in one year when, in 2009, HMS Gannet conducted 447 rescues around the country.
The December 30th events saw the duty crew, Lieutenant Commander Martin Lanni, Lieutenant Richie Lightfoot, Lieutenant James Bullock and Petty Officer Alan Speed rescued ten people in Dailly near Girvan.
The crew avoided 120ft trees and racing currents to rescue the stricken passengers trapped on a bus caught in floodwaters.
The crew worked until reaching their fuel endurance and a final two persons were recovered