RAF
Royals Mark End Of Search And Rescue
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have attended a parade to mark the official disbandment of the RAF Search and Rescue Force.
Thousands of people owe their lives to this unique unit, whose famous yellow helicopters have plucked injured fishermen from raging seas, winched climbers from treacherous cliffs and airlifted flood victims from the rooftops.
The Search and Rescue Force dates back to 1941 when it was formed to rescue pilots shot down at sea.
Since then it has grown to include at sea rescue for stranded civilians, mountain rescue for injured climbers, and flood victims.
On the day that the RAF's Search and Rescue Force in the UK is disbanded we look back on some of the dramatic missions carried out by the crews of the famous yellow Sea King helicopters.
Posted by Royal Air Force on Thursday, 18 February 2016
The parade took place at RAF Valley in Anglesey where Prince William served for three years as a search and rescue pilot.
Flight Lieutenant Wales, as he was known, carried out 156 search and rescue operations between 2010 and 2013.
Our reporter Rosie Laydon went to RAF Valley to see the station prepare for the Royal visit (below).
More from Forces TV - Farewell: Search And Rescue
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