On Board With The Last Remaining RAF Search and Rescue Squadron

One of the RAF’s most unique units - 84 Squadron - celebrates its centenary this month.

Based in Cyprus it’s the last remaining RAF Search and Rescue Squadron.

As part of their Search and Rescue training, the crew of a Griffin helicopter are scrambled to a deal with a mock explosion.  

In one exercise a soldier’s supposedly fallen off a cliff after an explosion inside RAF Akrotiri.

From their control room, 84 Squadron set off to airlift the casualty. 

On board for this exercise are two rear crewmen, a winch operator and a winchman paramedic Sergeant.

At the bottom of a 20-foot drop lies the supposed casualty. In this case, a dummy known to the medics as ‘Sim Man’.

84 Squadron took on this helicopter rescue role in Cyprus in the 1970s. 

Initially using the Whirlwind and later the Wessex helicopter. 

The Griffin they fly now can take two stretchers and it has all the equipment you’d find on board a land ambulance. 

Back at Cape Gata, the medics on the ground prepare the 'casualty'. 

With the dummy strapped into a special inflatable stretcher, the Griffin returns.

This may be an exercise but it’s one this Squadron takes very seriously. Making sure they’re always ready when the call comes. 

More: From The Western Front To The Far East: 84 Squadron Celebrates 100 Years