Air Officer Commanding 2 Group, Air Vice Marshal Suraya Marshall deployed with the Valley Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) RAF Mountain Rescue Service (MRS) to Fairbourne, South Snowdonia on an official visit for a chance to meet and observe Mountain Rescue Service personnel and experience life on an operational training weekend.
Since its formation in 1943, RAF Mountain Rescue Service has sustained a high readiness capability for Search and Rescue (SAR) and Aircraft Post Crash and Incident Management (APCIM) operations. Born out of wartime necessity to save the lives of downed aircrew in the mountainous regions of the UK, the modern RAF Mountain Rescue Service now has 3 Mountain Rescue Team's located at RAF Leeming, RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Valley and is supported by a dedicated Support Flight at Mountain Rescue Service HQ, RAF Valley.
The operational objective of the training weekend was to strengthen interoperability between RAF Mountain Rescue Service and civilian Search and Rescue Teams, working closely with Aberdyfi Search and Rescue Team and South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team. A simulated Aircraft Post Crash and Incident Management exercise allowed RAF Mountain Rescue Service to demonstrate their unique capability, supported by the civilian teams.
The RAF Mountain Rescue Service is always proud to demonstrate our expertise in Aircraft Post Crash and Incident Management within mountainous environments. To have the opportunity to do so, supported by two civilian teams, whilst hosting Air Officer Commanding 2 Group has been excellent.
Officer Commanding Mountain Rescue Service
The RAF Mountain Rescue Service is part of 2 Group of which Air Vice Marshal Marshall took command in October 2021.
It was an exhilarating weekend in Wales with the RAF Mountain Rescue Service and to see them practising technical skills and exercising air post-crash management in arduous terrain, a capability unique to the RAF Mountain Rescue Service. It was a privilege to spend time with the team and I thank all members for their continued commitment and the impressive technical abilities they displayed.
Air Vice Marshal Marshall
Air Officer Commanding 2 Group
Throughout the Mountain Rescue Service’ history and until present day, although Search and Rescue operations and traditions have evolved, these like-minded and committed volunteers have always been, and will continue to operate as Defence’s only all-weather, ground-based Search and Rescue organisation. Through maintaining a one-hour readiness state, 24/7/365 the Mountain Rescue Team epitomise the Mountain Rescue Service motto, ‘Whensoever’.
Read more about RAF Mountain Rescue Service
