Mountain Flying Training Area Photography
22 Squadron 'C' Flight - RAF Valley
Snowdonia
October 2012
|
Mountain Rescue Training
The volunteer Mountain Rescue Organisation Teams comprise typically of mountaineers who can be called out any time of the day to perform searches and rescues of individuals that have got themselves in to trouble. Whilst searches are mostly conducted on foot and with trained dogs, Land Rover ambulances can also be employed and when absolutely necessary RAF Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopters can be called out to search and transport people to airlift the injured to safety or hospital very quickly.
Regular training of the Mountain Rescue Teams is conducted with the RAF. The images below were all taken during a routine Mountain Rescue training exercise in Snowdonia. |
| The 22 Squadron headquarters is at RAF Valley, with three detachments at Chivenor ('A' Flight), Wattisham ('B' Flight) and Valley ('C' Flight). 203(Reserve) Squadron is based at RAF Valley and share aircraft with 22 Squadron ('C' Flight). Aerial searches are usually conducted visually, however the Sea King HAR.3 is equipped with a Multi-Sensor System (MSS) using a Forward Looking Infraread (FLIR) and digital TV cameras. Aircrew can also use night-vision goggles (NVG). A winch is utilised when the Sea King is unable to land due to the terrain and personnel and equipment can be lowered and recovered. The Sea King cannot operate in low cloud unless the pilot is able to see the ground and so fly safely. |
| Sea King HAR.3 (ZA105 'Q') of 22 Squadron 'C' Flight based at RAF Valley, approaching the landing zone. |
The mountain rescue helicopter training exercise consisted of the Sea King approaching the designated landing zone, winching up a small team followed by a flight around the local area ending with a drop off using the winch. This routine was repeated four times before the Sea King departed.
Left to right: Sea King HAR.3 (ZA105 'Q') of 22 Squadron 'C' Flight based at RAF Valley. |
| Left to right: Sea King HAR.3 (ZA105 'Q') of 22 Squadron 'C' Flight based at RAF Valley, yes you may recognise one member of the aircrew. |
| Checking the landing zone. |
| Left to right: Sea King HAR.3 (ZA105 'Q') of 22 Squadron 'C' Flight based at RAF Valley. |
| Winching up the mountain rescue team. |
| Left to right: Sea King HAR.3 (ZA105 'Q') of 22 Squadron 'C' Flight based at RAF Valley. |
| Dropping off the mountain rescue team. |
| Left to right: Sea King HAR.3 (ZA105 'Q') of 22 Squadron 'C' Flight based at RAF Valley. |
| In the hover above the landing zone. |
| Left to right: Sea King HAR.3 (ZA105 'Q') of 22 Squadron 'C' Flight based at RAF Valley. |
| Left to right: Sea King HAR.3 (ZA105 'Q') of 22 Squadron 'C' Flight based at RAF Valley. |
