771 Naval Air Squadron - Rescues

Rescues

771 NAS is one of the busiest SAR units in the UK being called out an average of 220 times per year. With the limitations in Civilian flight rules for the Cornwall Air Ambulance pilots 771 is also often called upon to perform patient and hospital transfers throughout the West Country. These are typically when the Air Ambulance is engaged in other duties, in poor weather, at night or where no suitable landing place is close by, allowing the Sea King to utilise its winch. Some of the more memorable rescues have been:

• 1978 - Ben Asdale, Air Force Cross awarded to Lt AJM Hogg RN, and Lt Cdr MJ Norman RN
• 1979 - Fastnet Race
• 1985 - Fastnet Race, George Medal awarded to the Rescue Diver; POACMN L Slater for his rescue of Simon Le Bon and 19 other survivors from the Yacht Drum
• 1989 - MV Secil Japan, Air Force Medal awarded to the Rescue Diver CPOACMN JPR Grinney
• 1989 - MV Murree, George Medal awarded to each of the 2 Rescue Divers; POACMN DS Wallace, POACMN SW Wright
• 1992 - Boyd Trophy won for night rescue of five crew from yacht Sine Seorra off Guernsey, Air Force Medal awarded to LA I Chambers
• 2004 - Boyd Trophy won for Boscastle Flood resuces, Air Force Cross awarded to Lt Cdr MJ ford RN
• 2005 - Boyd Trophy won for the recovery of critically ill crewman from fishing vessel 240 miles off coast in gale force winds and very poor visibility
• 2007 - MSC Napoli