Air Sea Rescue Day Land's End

Naval personnel from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose are getting ready to meet the public at this week’s Air Sea Rescue Day at Lands End. The annual event at the iconic Cornish attraction highlights the organisations that conduct rescue operations off the County’s coast, one of them being the Search and Rescue Squadron that is based at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Helston.

This year’s big event on Thursday July 26th will offer visitors a more interactive experience than ever before – with more Royal Navy attractions for them to explore. Commander John Lea explains: “As well as the usual rescue demonstration from 771 Squadron, we will also be displaying a variety of equipment and kit which helps the Royal Navy to operate on the front line – the type of things that normally the public would not get a chance to see.”

Commander Lea continues: “It is very important that the Royal Navy meets with the general public to explain what we do and where we are deployed across the Globe. This year, because we have not been able to run our annual Air Day, we thought that it would be a good idea to take some of our people, aircraft and kit out to the various events which are held across Cornwall during the summer holiday season. This will give local residents and the many visitors to our county, the chance to chat to sailors and actually have a ‘hands on’ experience of the Royal Navy.”

The day starts at 10am. At 11am one of the Royal Navy’s Sea King helicopters, used for rescues across the Cornish coast, will land for visitors to climb onboard and have a look inside.

Visitors will also be able to climb inside a harrier Jump jet cockpit and see helicopter and survival equipment close up at the Culdrose Roadshow Display, hosted in six purposely-designed marquees.

The action-packed programme will also include a dramatic rescue demonstration at sea involving the Royal Navy, the Coastguard and RNLI off the cliffs at Land’s End.

David Bryans, General Manager at Land’s End, said: “We’re delighted to be once again recognising the vital role these organisations play in keeping our part of Cornwall safe and secure. Air Sea Rescue Day at Land’s End just keeps growing and getting better and better, with a fun-packed programme for all the family to enjoy. We see it as giving something back to the community here in Cornwall. This year we are running the day rather differently, to give people a far more interactive experience than before. There’s a big increase in the amount of equipment and displays being brought by RNAS Culdrose, with so much more for visitors to see and experience. And given the fact the base isn’t holding its Air Day this year, this is the only opportunity people will have to see them up close.”

The organisations taking part in the day include RNAS Culdrose, the RNLI, Sennen Cove Coastguard and Coast Watch.