Search and Rescue Training Unit

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Search and Rescue Training Unit
Unit badge
Active	1979 – 2016
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Type	Training unit
Role	Helicopter search and rescue training
Part of	RAF Strike Command Defence Helicopter Flying School
Home station	RAF Valley
Motto(s)	That lives may be saved
Aircraft	Whirlwind HAR.10 Wessex HAR.2 Griffin HT1 AW139

The Search and Rescue Training Unit (SARTU) of the Royal Air Force is located on the southern side of RAF Valley on the Isle of Anglesey, Wales. SARTU operates three AgustaWestland AW139 and other Bell Griffin HT.1 helicopters to train pilots and winchmen before progression to active Search and Rescue duties.^{[citation needed]} With FB Heliservices (part of Cobham plc) contracted to provide the aircraft, engineers and flight line for the Unit it is often that one of the HT.1 helicopters be replaced with a HAR.2. This is a fully SAR capable aircraft that 84 Squadron uses in Cyprus on SAR duties.

Training for specialist SAR roles in the Royal Air Force began in November 1958 with the creation of a training flight at RAF St. Mawgan, which then moved to RAF Valley. From December 1979 this flight became the SARTU, then flying the Westland Wessex.^[1]

History[]

A Westland Wessex HAR.2 and in the background a Westland Whirlwind HAR.10, both types used by the Search and Rescue Training Unit

The first dedicated training of RAF search and rescue (SAR) crews was undertaken in the early 1960s at RAF Valley by 3 Sqn of the Central Flying School (Helicopter), a lodger from RAF Tern Hill. It operated the Westland Whirlwind HAR.10. It later became the Search and Rescue Training Squadron and then as part of the reorganisation of the SAR fleet, became the Search and Rescue Training Unit (SARTU).^[2]

The Whirlwind was replaced with the Westland Wessex HAR.2 in 1985. The Wessex was a more capable aircraft with better performance a lifting capabilities, allowing more realistic training to be undertaken.^[2]

SARTU became part of the newly established Defence Helicopter Flying School on 1 April 1997, when it re-equipped with the Bell Griffin HT1. The AgustaWestland AW139 was introduced in 2009.^[2]

Other training[]

An AW139 of the Search and Rescue Training Unit

SARTU is also used as the base for many other air courses. Most notable is No. 60 Squadron RAF, from the Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury, which sends each of their ab-initio pilots and crewman to SARTU for a three-week detachment to learn the basic skills needed for Search and Rescue missions and Mountain Flying.

For a brief time (2010-2012) the Royal Navy sent ab-initio Fleet Air Arm pilots to SARTU to complete a bespoke SAR training course. During this time 6 pilots gained the coveted Royal Navy Pilot Flying Badge (Wings) at SARTU, with 2 more completing the course having already gained their Wings. Each of these pilots went on for conversion training at 771 Naval Air Squadron, HMS Seahawk, RNAS Culdrose.

On behalf of the Defence Helicopter Flying School, tailored SAR courses are also delivered to foreign and Commonwealth military and civilian customers.^{[3][failed verification]}

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  Griffin HT.1

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  Cockpit of HAR.2

References[]