Hands Over Duties To Maritime Coastguard Agency, Bristow Helicopters

Royal Navy Squadron 771 "Ace of Clubs" is handing over their SAR mission Friday after more than 40 years of providing the service from RNAS Culdrose.

As of January 1, the SAR duties will be performed by the Maritime Coastguard Agency and Bristow Helicopters.

The squadron was formed in May 1939 as a trial and evaluation unit and has operated 68 different aircraft types, according to a report in The Falmouth Packet newspaper. It has provided lifesaving services for mariners off the coast of Cornwall in the U.K., and has formed close ties with the communities served by its aircraft. The "Ace of Clubs" squadron carried Father Christmas on annual visits to deliver gifts at schools in areas around the Helston and Falmouth.

The coastguard said it plans to invest the equivalent of $2.8 billion in its new SAR service, and will continue the important lifesaving work of the squadron with “distinctive state-of-the-art red and white helicopters.”

The final decommissioning of the squadron is planned for March 23.

(Royal Navy image)

FMI: www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/the-fighting-arms/fleet-air-arm/helicopter-squadrons/sea-king-mk5/771-naval-air-squadron