It was an absolute honour and
huge pleasure to be invited to RAF Valley on Anglesey for Day 271 of my BRIT
2012 mile walk.
I have seen first-hand the remarkable work of the Royal Air Force both in
my former military career and during some of my challenges. I have observed
their bravery both on operational duty and with their Search and Rescue
capability; the professionalism, dedication and determination of the men and
women serving with the Royal Air Force and those who have served is both
extraordinary and inspirational.
The Station Commander of RAF Valley is Group Captain Adrian Hill RAF.
Adrian states that the aim of RAF Valley is clear:
· To train future fast jet
aircrew.
· To train search and
rescue pilots and crew.
· To save lives through
Search and Rescue Operations.
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| Group Captain Adrian Hill RAF Station Commander of RAF Valley |
The majority of sorties flown from RAF Valley are Hawk TMk2 operations
executed by the newly re-born IV(R) Squadron and 208 Squadron.
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| The Hawk TMk2 |
The Hawk TMk2 is a fully aerobatic, low wing, transonic, tandem 2-seat
training aircraft with mission avionics that will be suitable representative of
front-line aircraft. The Hawk T TMk2 is used to train selected personnel to
meet the Fast Jet Operational Conversion Unit (OCU). The Hawk has tandem seats,
with full controls available in the front and rear cockpit.
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| Just landed - meeting RAF pilots just after they landed at RAF Valley Anglesey |
The role of the Hawk is to train pilots for Tornado GR4, Typhoon and the
future Joint Combat Aircraft.
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| Delighted to meet Royal Air Force pilots at RAF Valley Anglesea on Day 271 of my BRIT 2012 mile walk |
The Station is proud to support operational Search and Rescue (SAR)
operations with C Flight of 22 Squadron and SAR Training carried out by the SAR
Training Unit (SARTU), flying Griffin and Augusta AW139 Helicopters.
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| The Griffin HT1 |
The Griffin HT1 is used as an advanced flying-training helicopter at the
Defence Helicopter Flying School (DHFS) at RAF Shawbury, in Shropshire, and the
Search and Rescue Training Unit (SARTU) at RAF Valley, in Anglesey. There are
eleven aircraft in service; eight are based at RAF Shawbury and three are based
at RAF Valley.
The Griffin HT1 is used for general-handling flying, underslung-load
carrying, night-vision goggle training, procedural instrument flying, formation
flying, low-flying navigation and an introduction to tactical employment.
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| Her Majesty's Coastguard AW 139 |
In the fulfillment of the task at RAF Valley, they are by far the busiest
Station in the Royal Air Force.
The Search and Rescue (SAR) Force Commander is Group Captain Frazer
Nicholson.
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| Group Captain Frazer Nicholson The Search and Rescue (SAR) Force Commander |
Their Mission Statement is;
"To generate and sustain a world-leading Search and Rescue capability,
including Command Control and Coordination, helicopters and Mountain Rescue
Service Force elements, to be a force for good and contribute to the Ministry
of Defence's mission.”
The Royal Air Force maintains a 24-hour search and rescue (SAR) service
covering the whole of the United Kingdom and a large surrounding area. Whilst
the service exists primarily to assist military aircrew and other personnel in
distress, the vast majority of ‘scrambles’ are to assist civilians who find
themselves in difficulties, either on land or at sea.
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| The RAF Sea King Helicopter in action |
RAF Sea King helicopters of 22 and 202 Squadrons operate from six UK
locations. The Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre
(ARCC) at RAF Kinloss tasks and co-ordinates all aeronautical SAR activity
across the UK Search and Rescue Region, drawing from a wide variety of SAR
helicopters, fixed wing aircraft and RAF Mountain Rescue Teams. The UK ARCC
also detects and notifies emergency distress beacon alerts worldwide.
RAF Search and Rescue works closely with the civilian emergency services
and has produced a technical handbook for anyone working with Search and Rescue
helicopters. The booklet can be viewed or downloaded using this link to 'Working with SAR
Helicopters'.
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| A Royal Navy Sea King-an integral part of the UK Search and Rescue (SAR) capability |
Further helicopters provide SAR cover from 2 Royal Navy and 4 Maritime and
Coastguard Agency contract-operated bases, giving a total of 12 helicopter
units around the UK.
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| The RAF Sea King HAR3/3A |
The RAF Sea King HAR3/3A is 52ft (16m) long and powered by two Rolls Royce
Gnome jet engines driving the 68ft (21.5m) diameter main rotor and tail rotor.
Weighing 9.7 tonnes fully laden, the Sea King has a 4 man crew. It is flown by
2 pilots and has 2 rear-crew: the Radar/Winch Operator and a Winchman, most of who
are qualified paramedics. The aircraft Captain is responsible for the overall
command and safety of the aircraft and its crew. Up to 17 passengers can be
carried in the helicopter which has a maximum speed of 140 mph. In its typical
SAR standby role with 3,000 lbs of fuel loaded onboard, the Sea King can remain
airborne for between 2-3 hours. With a full fuel load, the Sea King can fly for
up to 6 hours with a maximum range of 250 nautical miles.
The Sea King can operate by day or night and in most weathers. It has an
impressive list of rescue aids, including a hydraulic winch with 245ft (75m) of
steel cable. This is capable of delivering the Winchman to most casualty
locations and lifting up to 3 people simultaneously. It has a comprehensive
navigation suite including AIRWAVE radio and other communications equipment.
Further search aids include a processed search radar, crew night-vision goggles
and a powerful thermal-imaging/colour TV camera with on-board DV CAM recording
capability. An extensive array of medical equipment is carried in the rear of
the aircraft.
RAF Mountain Rescue Teams (MRTs) are based at 4 locations in mainland
Britain, each staffed by a core of 8 permanent staff members and supported by
28 part-time volunteers.
http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafsearchandrescue/
The RAF has 4 MRTs covering the UK’s
mountain regions. All MRT personnel are volunteers. MRTs are based at RAF
Leeming (near Northallerton in Yorkshire), RAF Leuchars (near St Andrews in
Fife), RAF Valley (on the Isle of Anglesey, North Wales) and RAF Lossiemouth
(near Elgin in Morayshire).
RAF MRTs are ‘on-call’ 24 hours every day and are tasked by the ARCC. Each
MRT holds a minimum of 10 personnel at 1 hour’s readiness throughout the week
and at a reduced readiness on weekends. Team members are further trained in
Immediate and Emergency Medical Care, with some progressing to become qualified
paramedics.
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| The RAF Mountain Rescue Toyota Hi-lux high-mobility vehicle |
RAF MRT vehicles are fitted with ‘blues and twos’ for rapid road
deployment. MRT personnel deploy in their Toyota Hi-Lux high-mobility vehicles
and are always accompanied by their specialist communications vehicle. This has
a comprehensive communications capability with radios operating on
Marine/HF/VHF/UHF bands, satellite and mobile telephone communications, AIRWAVE
radio for integration with civilian emergency services and digital mapping
computers. Further equipment is carried to aid search planning. RAF MRTs work regularly
and effectively with civilian MRTs on exercises and operations.
RAF MRTs are capable of mounting self-sustained, all-weather SAR operations
for an initial 36 hour period. They have also been involved for months in some
extended incidents. Team members’ high standards of training and fitness enable
them to search mountainous terrain rapidly and effectively in extreme weather
conditions that may preclude the use of a SAR helicopter.
+Headquarters+on+Day+271+of+my+BRIT+2012+mile+walk.jpg) |
| At the RAF Search Rescue (SAR) Headquarters on Day 271 of my BRIT 2012 mile walk |
I hope I’ve been able to give a feel for the tremendous capability and
lifesaving support that Search and Rescue (SAR) and the RAF Mountain Rescue Teams
(MRT) provide. For more information on RAF careers, please click here; http://www.raf.mod.uk/careers/
From RAF Valley, I travelled over
to the Llangefni Campus of Coleg Menai. I spent time with students studying
Motor Mechanics, Construction and Care Studies. The Llangefni site is set in a
beautiful rural location on the outskirts of the town. The site has a modern
campus feel and continues to benefit from huge investment in new facilities
such as the Care Studies Centre, Construction Skills Centre and the Energy Centre.
It was an absolute pleasure to
meet the students and spend time with them and I am grateful to all the staff that
made the visit to the Llangefni Campus possible.
I ended Day 271 with 310 miles to go.
On Day 272 I travelled to Conwy to walk at Conwy Castle, a medieval fortification
on the north coast of Wales. It was built by Edward I between 1283 and 1289.
Constructed as part of a wider project to create the walled town of Conwy, the
combined defences cost around £15,000, a huge sum for the period.
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| Looking up through one of the towers in Conwy Castle |
Following the outbreak of the English Civil War in 1642, the castle was
held by forces loyal to Charles I, holding out until 1646 when it surrendered
to the Parliamentary armies. In the aftermath the castle was partially slighted
by Parliament to prevent it being used in any further revolt, and was finally
completely ruined in 1665 when it’s remaining iron and lead was stripped and
sold off. Conwy Castle became an attractive destination for painters in the
late 18th and early 19th centuries. Visitor numbers grew and initial
restoration work was carried out in the second half of the 19th century.
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| Two of the magnificent towers at Conwy Castle |
The ruined castle is managed by Cadw http://cadw.wales.gov.uk/daysout/conwycastle/?lang=en
as a tourist attraction. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) consider Conwy to be one of "the finest examples
of late 13th century and early 14th century military architecture in
Europe", and it is classed as a World Heritage site.
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| With the carved Wooden Statue at Conwy Castle |
Cadw http://cadw.wales.gov.uk/about/?lang=en
is the Welsh Government’s historic environment service working for an
accessible and well-protected historic environment for Wales. I am grateful to
Cadw for permitting me to visit both Caernarfon Castle and Conwy Castle to
learn more of Wales’ history and see first-hand the stunning historic castles
under the protection of Cadw and the Welsh Government.
I’m sincerely grateful to the Bodysgallen Hotel in Conwy for looking after
me and supporting the BRIT 2012 mile walk with accommodation http://www.bodysgallen.com/the-hotel/
Believed to have 13th century origins, Bodysgallen Hall stands in over 200
acres of its own parkland to the south of Llandudno with spectacular views of
Snowdonia and Conwy Castle. Within the grounds are beautiful gardens
including a rare 17th century parterre of box hedges filled with sweet-scented
herbs, a rockery with a cascade, a walled rose garden, and several follies.
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| Bodysgallen Hotel in Conwy |
Historic
House Hotels Limited has skillfully and sympathetically restored the 17th
century house. In September 2008 Historic House Hotels Limited and all its interests in
Bodysgallen Hall and the other two Historic House Hotels, Hartwell House and
Middlethorpe Hall, became the property of the National Trust, by donation, with
all profits henceforward benefiting the houses and the charity.
My thanks to The National Trust and the staff of Bodysgallen Hall for their
kindness and generosity. It was an honour to stay in such a beautiful location;
especially as it is owned by the National Trust.
I ended Day 272 with 304 miles to go.
Best wishes,
Phil