TOP GLOUCESTERSHIRE PHOTOGRAPHER KIM HIBBERD

MEETS

771 ROYAL NAVAL AIR SQUADRON

The Rivers Avon and Severn burst their banks and at one point threatened the County with mass evacuation if electricity supplies had been cut off for a long time. As it was, the most widespread threat was from contaminated water supplies - leading to the plastic water bottle and the ubiquitous blue bowser in the street becoming icons of the crisis.

However, for a number of Gloucestershire residents the Westland Sea King rescue helicopter was the most welcome sight of all. The contribution of the Royal Air Force and the more general history of the Westland Sea King are discussed in more detail elsewhere on this website but these dramatic photographs kindly submitted by top Gloucestershire photographer the late Kim Hibberd permit a closer look at the history of 771 Royal Naval Air Squadron, which also played such an important part in the 2007 Gloucestershire floods crisis.

1945 however saw 771 become the first Royal Navy helicopter squadron with the conversion to the Sikorsky R-4 Hoverfly, itself the first mass produced helicopter in the World. Between 1945 and 1947 certain elements of 771 were relocated to other naval air squadrons. Headquarters were maintained at Ford, though, and became the Southern Fleet Requirements Unit before finally disbanding in 1955.

771 assumed the dedicated Search and Rescue (SAR) role with the introduction of the Westland Whirlwind SAR3 and moved to its present home at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall in 1974. The Westland Whirlwind was soon replaced by the Wessex Mark 1 and again in 1979 by the twin gas turbine Wessex Mk 5. 1988 saw the arrival of the Sea King Mark 5 which, with its greater lifting capacity, longer range and improved avionics, gave 771 a long range day, night and all weather SAR capability.

Indeed, 771 has averaged more than 220 SAR missions every year in the past decade and , with 255 call outs, was the busiest UK based SAR unit in 2001. Typical missions include long range medical evacuation from ships at sea, assistance to to vessels in distress, cliff fallers, swimmers, divers and surfers, patient transfers from West Country hospitals to specialist hospitals in other parts of the country. Some long range missions also result in casualties and survivors being recovered to France or the Republic of Ireland.

Individual honours within 771 Squadron have included the George Medal, Queen's Commendation for Bravery, Prince Philip Rescue Award, the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners Royal Benevolent Society's Edward and Maisie Lewis Award and awards in the gift of the Guild of Air Pilots and Navigators

With the decommissioning of 810 Squadron in July 2001, 771 also assumed the responsibility for Advanced and Operational Flying Training for Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW ). Pilots and Observers, as well as the residual Sea King Mark 5/6 Pilot Conversion and Refresher Courses. 771 Squadron also parents two ASW Front Line flights when they are not embarked in their host frigate. These flights comprise a single Sea King helicopter. In addition to this, 771 also trains Royal Navy and Royal Marine Aircrewmen in winching, vessel transfers, load lifting and confined area operations prior to them being posted to front line units.

The addition of five Westland Sea King Mark 6 (ASW) aircraft to its inventory of six Sea King Mark 5 (SAR) rotorcraft has also made 771 the largest squadron to be based at RNAS Culdrose.