0:00:05 > 0:00:08The mountains and coastline of Wales.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10Both beautiful and treacherous.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15PILOT: That's all copied. 122 approaching this time.
0:00:15 > 0:00:20Wales has the busiest RAF search and rescue operation in Britain.
0:00:20 > 0:00:26Hundreds of people are saved every year by the iconic yellow Sea King helicopters.
0:00:27 > 0:00:30In this series, we follow the real life rescue stories
0:00:30 > 0:00:33from mountainside to hospital bed side.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35SHOUTS
0:00:35 > 0:00:38Our cameras have been allowed behind-the-scenes access
0:00:38 > 0:00:41to the two RAF flights serving Wales.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45Never before has the Force been under such a spotlight
0:00:45 > 0:00:48with a royal co-pilot serving within its ranks.
0:00:48 > 0:00:52This is the story of the men and women who work with Prince William
0:00:52 > 0:00:56365 days a year, 24/7.
0:00:57 > 0:01:01This time on helicopter rescue -
0:01:01 > 0:01:05Rescue 122 face an old enemy in the mountains of Snowdonia.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07Bad weather puts a rescue in danger.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11You can see on the nose where the climbers are coming down.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14It's the biggest maritime disaster to hit Wales in over 20 years.
0:01:14 > 0:01:18Rescue 169 search for five missing people lost at sea.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23And there's a new recruit for the Search and Rescue Force.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27Foxy the Belgian Shepherd tries to earn her wings.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42Winter has arrived in Wales.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45Conditions up in the mountains are treacherous.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48And all around the coast, violent seas batter the coastline.
0:01:48 > 0:01:53But against all the elements, some determined souls still venture out.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57PHONE RINGS
0:01:57 > 0:01:58Valley? OK, standby.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05C Flight get a callout to a cargo ship off the North Wales coast.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08It's a crew member with a severely injured hand.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10Crew member. Injured hand, Yeah?
0:02:10 > 0:02:15It's a 600 foot vessel we believe is laden with containers at the moment.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18Winchman Ed Griffiths has just come on duty.
0:02:18 > 0:02:24We've just had a call of somebody with a severe hand injury
0:02:24 > 0:02:26on a vessel that's in Liverpool Bay.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28That's all we've got for now,
0:02:28 > 0:02:30so it could be anything from he's chipped his fingernail
0:02:30 > 0:02:34to his hand's come off. We'll have a look when we get there.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38Rescue 122 are deployed.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42They've received a cry for help from the captain of a large cargo vessel
0:02:42 > 0:02:46called Independent Pursuit sailing from Liverpool docks
0:02:46 > 0:02:49along the North East Wales coast.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53The radar operator today is C-Flight boss, Squadron Leader Spike Wright.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56He receives more information on the casualty
0:02:56 > 0:03:01from the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre in Scotland.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03RADIO: 'It's a 43-year-old male.
0:03:04 > 0:03:05'Broken left hand.'
0:03:07 > 0:03:10On the horizon, Rescue 122 spot their target.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13I can tell you that is Independent Pursuit
0:03:13 > 0:03:16just left off the nose. Distance, close.
0:03:17 > 0:03:22The cargo ship, Independent Pursuit, is travelling at a steady speed of ten knots.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26The Sea King will have to winch Ed down to the deck on the move.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30Winching out. Steady. Good position. Happy.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34But as Ed is lowered down, gusts of wind hit him hard.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41Pilot Dave Prochera Best and co-pilot Ayla Holdom
0:03:41 > 0:03:45must act fast to keep up with the moving vessel.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48They have to contend with 40mph gusts of wind
0:03:48 > 0:03:50to get Ed safely on deck.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55Steady. Slight swing. Steady.
0:03:57 > 0:03:58Steady.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00Steady. On the deck. Steady.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02Empty hook. Winching in.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06With Ed attending to the casualty, radar operator Spike Wright
0:04:06 > 0:04:09considers extra precautions for the winch back up.
0:04:09 > 0:04:11We need to think about highline, I think.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14I'm going to get it ready with that swing we developed
0:04:14 > 0:04:18with the vacuum the pitch housing causes for the winchman.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21I don't want to do that again. I'm preparing the highline for that.
0:04:22 > 0:04:27Spike is attaching a 150 foot piece of nylon rope onto the winch hook.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31This highline will steady Ed and the casualty as they're hoisted back up to the Sea King.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34Starting to lower the highline.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40Steady. Highline now swinging towards the winchman. Steady.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44One of the ship's crew will now hold the highline and act as an anchor
0:04:44 > 0:04:47to stop Ed and the casualty from swinging in the wind.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49Ready for lift. Winching in.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51Clear the deck. Move left.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54Reduce your speed.
0:04:54 > 0:04:55Highline still attached.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58With the help of the highline,
0:04:58 > 0:05:01Ed and the casualty reach the safety of the Sea King.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04Rafaelito de la Cruz from the Philippines
0:05:04 > 0:05:08has fractured his hand after a hatch slammed shut on it.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10Recovering the highline.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14With the highline also safely retrieved, Ed is relieved to be back on board.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17I'm just saying, boss, that's the windiest I've gone out the door in.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19- Yeah, interesting, wasn't it?- Yeah.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23The crew fly the injured sailor to Aintree Hospital in Liverpool.
0:05:25 > 0:05:30Ed escorts the grateful casualty to the waiting ambulance.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33- All right, mate.- Thank you, sir. - You're going to be on telly!
0:05:33 > 0:05:35And you as well.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39Two hours after beginning their shift,
0:05:39 > 0:05:41C Flight head back to RAF Valley.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49Every year, around a quarter of all the callouts
0:05:49 > 0:05:54to the RAF's Search and Rescue Force are to those in distress out at sea.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Wales, if you like, offers almost every challenge.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02You have long range sea rescues
0:06:02 > 0:06:04where you may be picking up any number of people,
0:06:04 > 0:06:07up to 18 in the Sea King, and then bringing them back to land.
0:06:07 > 0:06:12Then, you've got coastline and cliff rescues all around the Welsh coast.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18It tends to be trickier in the winter
0:06:18 > 0:06:21and if something happens at sea then the weather's rough
0:06:21 > 0:06:25so we have yachts or cargo vessels in trouble - sinking, damaged, that sort of stuff.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27Tends to get more serious in winter.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36Might not be the easiest job
0:06:36 > 0:06:39but I think it gives you a lot of job satisfaction.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42The fact that I can help someone, potentially save their life,
0:06:42 > 0:06:45for me is just brilliant.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50At the Royal Marines Barracks in Chivenor,
0:06:50 > 0:06:54Rachel serves as a winchwoman with 22 Squadron's A Flight.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57I think I'm just classed as one of the boys, really.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01It's quite funny sometimes when you get dressed up to go on a night out with some of the lads,
0:07:01 > 0:07:05they're like, "Wow, you are a girl!" But no, it's just normal.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08- I sit like that because it's better.- It's just wrong!
0:07:10 > 0:07:11As well as working together,
0:07:11 > 0:07:15Rachel and radar operator Seaweed both live on base in the mess.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20We live about seven or eight doors from each other.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24We'll quite often cook for each other or watch a film together.
0:07:26 > 0:07:31Being new to the job Rachel can turn to Seaweed as a friend and as a colleague.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34When you have just done your initial training up at Valley
0:07:34 > 0:07:36you don't have an awful lot of experience.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40They generally put you with someone that is experienced as a radar operator.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45They will tend to look after you for the jobs you go to
0:07:45 > 0:07:47until you get a bit more experience.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56It's five o'clock in the morning,
0:07:56 > 0:07:59and Rachel and the rest of A Flight are scrambled
0:07:59 > 0:08:04to one of the worst maritime disasters to hit Wales in over 20 years.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07TV REPORT: 'This morning a distress call came in to Holyhead Coastguard
0:08:07 > 0:08:09'at around two o'clock.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11'Battered by a gale, the crew reported seeing a crack
0:08:11 > 0:08:13'appear in the ship's hull.'
0:08:13 > 0:08:16'A major search and rescue operation is underway
0:08:16 > 0:08:20'for six merchant sailors missing in gale force conditions off the Lleyn Peninsula.'
0:08:20 > 0:08:24In gale force winds, 10 miles west of Aberdaron
0:08:24 > 0:08:25on the Lleyn Peninsula,
0:08:25 > 0:08:28a cargo ship has sent a mayday saying its hull has broken
0:08:28 > 0:08:30and they're sinking.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32There are eight crew members on board.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35A major search and rescue is launched.
0:08:36 > 0:08:41Monitoring the situation are the RNLI lifeboat crew in Porthdinllaen.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44TV REPORT: 'The Porthdinllaen lifeboat is still out
0:08:44 > 0:08:47'in incredibly rough seas this afternoon.'
0:08:47 > 0:08:51For most of this, rescue would have been four helicopters,
0:08:51 > 0:08:53two helicopters came over from Ireland,
0:08:53 > 0:08:57you've got four lifeboats, three tankers, two inshore lifeboats,
0:08:57 > 0:08:59three offshore lifeboats.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05The helicopter had launched from RAF Valley
0:09:05 > 0:09:10and when it arrived it checked one life raft which was empty,
0:09:10 > 0:09:13and fortunately the second life raft was checked
0:09:13 > 0:09:15and there were two survivors in it.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17They were airlifted and taken back to Valley.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20TV REPORT: 'In high winds, an RAF winchman
0:09:20 > 0:09:22'managed to get on board the life raft.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25'Here, one of the survivors is winched to safety.'
0:09:25 > 0:09:27Shortly after saving two of the Swanland crew,
0:09:27 > 0:09:30the body of a third crew member was recovered from the sea.
0:09:30 > 0:09:36Finding the other five means the search operation is still at full swing at RAF Valley.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42I think it's mainly just tiring and I think visibility was bad
0:09:42 > 0:09:45and the sea was quite bad, so...
0:09:45 > 0:09:48They kept commenting on how hard it was
0:09:48 > 0:09:50trying to search in that environment.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54I've not seen anything at that scale not on the flight line.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56We've had visiting aircraft.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00We've had perhaps, five, six aircraft on the flight line including our training flights
0:10:00 > 0:10:03but never anything operational like this. This was big.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10Rescue 169 from Chivenor arrived to help with the search.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13On board, winchwoman Rachel and radar operator Seaweed.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18RADIO: 'Rescue 169, Holyhead Coastguard.'
0:10:18 > 0:10:20This is 169. Go ahead.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23'Rescue 169, Holyhead Coastguard.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27'We have a revised search instructions for you. Are you ready to receive them? Over.'
0:10:27 > 0:10:29With us all looking out, we have our own sectors.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32We all know what we're looking for.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36It's quite useful to see a bird in the water because we then know
0:10:36 > 0:10:38how big a person's head is
0:10:38 > 0:10:41so that allows you to re-focus for what you're looking for.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44The sea's, obviously, vast.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48We want to give the best we can to those people that are in the water.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51We want to find them in the shortest time possible.
0:10:51 > 0:10:55That improves their chances of survivability.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59Ten hours after the mayday call, five men are still missing at sea.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02The search for survivors is reaching a critical stage.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07Oh! Right!
0:11:07 > 0:11:09It's underneath all that foam.
0:11:09 > 0:11:14Rachel has spotted a life raft in one of the coves at Bardsey Island.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17I could see the top corner, just slightly orange.
0:11:17 > 0:11:21From this height, it's impossible to say if there are any survivors on board.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24Rachel is going to be winched down to check it out.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29Before winching we're always concerned about safety.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32We're worried about the white water,
0:11:32 > 0:11:36and the foamy water that won't have much buoyancy for Rachel.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39We make sure we keep the wires tight so she doesn't go under.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43If anyone isn't happy, for example, Rachel's the person there
0:11:43 > 0:11:46putting herself on the wire, putting herself at risk,
0:11:46 > 0:11:48so if she's not happy to go on the wire,
0:11:48 > 0:11:52she's more than within her rights to say, I don't think this is safe.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59Despite the danger, the crew, including Rachel,
0:11:59 > 0:12:00opt for the winchdown.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05From the side door of the Sea King, Seaweed lowers her down.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20The plan is to place Rachel on the rocks.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24From there, she can shout to see if there's anybody inside the life raft.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33Nobody calls back.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36Rachel decides to go and have a closer look.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43She tries to open the side of the raft.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46But the conditions are too dangerous.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08You can only hope that all the training you've had
0:13:08 > 0:13:10will help you to find them
0:13:10 > 0:13:14and, unfortunately, if they're not there, they're not going to be found.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21We can only do the best we can and with all our eyes out
0:13:21 > 0:13:24you would hope from doing the search planning, going up and down
0:13:24 > 0:13:25we would see them.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27Roger. Stand by.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30I just don't know what else I could have done.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32There isn't anything, Rach.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37Rescue 169 searched the area for four and a half hours
0:13:37 > 0:13:40but didn't come across any survivors.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44The next day, the whole search operation was called off.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48The five other seamen from the Swanland are still missing at sea.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59At the end of the Second World War,
0:13:59 > 0:14:03some 13,000 lives had been saved from the sea.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07At the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire,
0:14:07 > 0:14:11the RAF is commemorating 70 years of search and rescue work.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17Among the veterans here today is Tom Scudamore, originally from Pontypridd.
0:14:17 > 0:14:22He's the only surviving member of the first ever RAF Mountain Rescue team.
0:14:22 > 0:14:26I must have brought 70 bodies down and perhaps about ten survivors.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31During the war, Tom and the other volunteers
0:14:31 > 0:14:35went up into the mountains of Snowdonia to save downed aircrew.
0:14:35 > 0:14:39Now at 93, he is the last remaining survivor
0:14:39 > 0:14:42of that pioneering rescue team.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45In the mountains at night in the snow you could slip and fall.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47It was very dangerous.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51It was all well done. It was all worth doing.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54As I say, I was just a medical officer not a rock climber
0:14:54 > 0:14:57but it was a great feeling when you had survivors.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02Today, a special memorial in Welsh slate commemorates
0:15:02 > 0:15:06all those who have served with the Search and Rescue Force.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10Those who have served over the last 70 years
0:15:10 > 0:15:14are a group of exceptionally courageous, dedicated people
0:15:14 > 0:15:17with obvious camaraderie and pride.
0:15:18 > 0:15:2270 years on, and some things haven't changed.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26That camaraderie is what keeps the Force going to this day.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34The camaraderie is second to none around the Air Force.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37All the guys, we live together for 24 hours,
0:15:37 > 0:15:41we're in the bedrooms, here on the flight, we cook, we clean,
0:15:41 > 0:15:44we're making each other cups of tea, every moment of every day.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47We have to bounce each other, rub off each other really well.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49We do that fantastically well.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55Coming all random here!
0:15:58 > 0:16:02We're a really close knit group and that really shows when we go out, and we do a job,
0:16:02 > 0:16:06when you have to rely, when somebody else has got your life in their hands
0:16:06 > 0:16:10when they're working that winch control, when the pilot's up against a cliff, you rely on them.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12The friendships and the bonds you make on the ground
0:16:12 > 0:16:14reflect in the air.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18The Search and Rescue Force are on standby every day of the year.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22And the shift on Christmas Day is always special.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27Mothers and fathers will tend to be off for the Christmas Day.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30Oh, look at that!
0:16:30 > 0:16:32But families are more than welcome to come across
0:16:32 > 0:16:35and have a bite to eat sometimes or bring presents in
0:16:35 > 0:16:40and come and have a laugh with mum or dad, whoever's on shift.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42LAUGHTER
0:16:44 > 0:16:45Whatever the time of year,
0:16:45 > 0:16:50C Flight's canine colleagues make themselves at home.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52But today spaniel Eva is staying behind.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55Her owner, winchman Neil Cooper, is going on a callout.
0:16:57 > 0:16:58It's a bloke that's fallen.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01He's fallen twice and is now stuck on a ledge.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03He says he's uninjured so he's, em,
0:17:03 > 0:17:06he can't get up and he can't get down apparently.
0:17:07 > 0:17:11Ogwen Mountain Rescue Team have requested our assistance.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14DOG WHIMPERS
0:17:20 > 0:17:23Rescue 122 make their way to a cragfasted walker
0:17:23 > 0:17:26in the Devil's Kitchen in the Glyder range.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33The search for the stranded walker begins.
0:17:33 > 0:17:38The local mountain rescue centre gives the crew more details about the survivor.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41It's a male who's very close to the top of Glyder Fawr cliffs.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44The grid reference he gave us is very inaccurate.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47But he's wearing a bright orange top and he's looking out for you
0:17:47 > 0:17:49and he's ex-army.
0:17:56 > 0:18:00PILOT: Visual. Survivor is safe.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03It doesn't take long for pilot Ally McDowell
0:18:03 > 0:18:05to spot the ex-military man in his bright orange.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09I'm happy to bring it back to hover from here, guys,
0:18:09 > 0:18:12But he's well and truly stuck,
0:18:12 > 0:18:15stranded on small ledge with a vast drop beneath him.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17On such a vertical cliff face,
0:18:17 > 0:18:20radar operator Spike has to work out how close they can get
0:18:20 > 0:18:25to the casualty without the rotors hitting the cliff edge.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27The main obstruction overhead will be that.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31This side of him, you have that buttress that sticks vertically up.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33- Yup.- We'll probably have to go above that.- Roger.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37I'll look at the tip clearance of that and move us in in that position
0:18:37 > 0:18:41and then we'll put you to his right side slightly low in case he does slip.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44With the rotors clear of the overhanging rock face,
0:18:44 > 0:18:46Rescue 122 are ready.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49From the side door of the Sea King,
0:18:49 > 0:18:52Spike guides winchman Neil down to the survivor.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54Winching out. Steady.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57On the monkey harness. Crew secure.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00Steady. Good position, Alley.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02Clearing the monkey harness.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05Winching out.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08Just a bit close to the winch when it contacts with the cliff face.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10Cliff walker speed. Steady.
0:19:13 > 0:19:14Steady.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19Steady. In contact with the cliff face. Cliff walking.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24On solid ground. Move forwards. Winch it forwards.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27Steady. Winchman with the survivor.
0:19:28 > 0:19:29Steady. Roger that.
0:19:29 > 0:19:33Lift one. Clear of the rocks, two on.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39Nice and gently. People on the way.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44Left one. We'll clear the cliff face with a good distance.
0:19:46 > 0:19:4750 foot of cable.
0:19:49 > 0:19:5030 foot of cable.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54Check.
0:19:55 > 0:19:56Safely on board.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59Scuffle back, scuffle back, scuffle back.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03Safe on board and with no injuries, the crew decide to drop off
0:20:03 > 0:20:08a rather embarrassed Trevor Wells at the local mountain rescue centre.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12The plan was to go up Devil's Kitchen,
0:20:12 > 0:20:14go across the Glyders and come back down again.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18I kind of climbed myself into a bit of mischief.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21I was already embarrassed about calling the mountain rescue
0:20:21 > 0:20:24and then she called and said they're going to be quite a while
0:20:24 > 0:20:28and seeing where you are, it's not going to be easy we're going to call in the RAF
0:20:28 > 0:20:30which I was even more embarrassed about then.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32I got myself into trouble.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35I'm probably the first one to criticise something
0:20:35 > 0:20:39when they get themselves into that kind of trouble. I should know better!
0:20:41 > 0:20:43Rescue 122 arrive safely back at Valley
0:20:43 > 0:20:47and Eva's wait for her owner, winchman Neil Cooper, is over.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53But not all dogs get left behind.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57Foxy is training to become an RAF Search and Rescue Dog.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00It takes two years to train for rescue work.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03Biffa is hoping that Foxy will qualify this year.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06They massively cut down search times.
0:21:06 > 0:21:10They can operate in the dark because they rely on scent not sight.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16But being an RAF Search and Rescue dog, Foxy needs to earn her wings.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19Today, Foxy needs to fly.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25The dogs, from an early age, are trained to travel in helicopters.
0:21:25 > 0:21:30They can, in extreme situations, be winched in and out of the helicopter as well.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34There's a lot for them to take in, lots of smells of fuel and oil there's vibration,
0:21:34 > 0:21:36the noise which is a different pitch to what we can hear.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39But they seem to put up with it.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44There's no guarantee that the dogs will all qualify.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47You've got to have a love of dogs.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50You own the dog and look after the dog and she will be my pet
0:21:50 > 0:21:52until she's no longer around.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56A dog this size would live anywhere between 10 and 14 years.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02But for any member of the Search and Rescue Force,
0:22:02 > 0:22:03there's one major enemy.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08Rescue 122 from RAF Valley are on a callout to Snowdonia.
0:22:08 > 0:22:13Today they will have to face a pilot's biggest fear - low cloud.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18From a piloting point of view, the biggest thing for us is the cloud base.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21If we're going into moisture or to cloud,
0:22:21 > 0:22:24then there's a chance the aircraft could ice up.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27We haven't got a very good icing clearance on the Sea King.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31The option to go into the clouds is your last choice, your last option.
0:22:31 > 0:22:36Once you go into icing, pretty much the aircraft is coming down if it ices up.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41En route to Snowdon. Two hours 45 endurance.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44Approximately ten minutes en route.
0:22:44 > 0:22:49On Rescue 122's rear crew today are radar operator Nick Swannick and winchman Ed Griffiths.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53Piloting the Sea King are Kate Simmonds and Captain Thomas Bunn.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58- The weather on scene was light cloud. - Roger.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02They've been called to rescue an injured walker on the Pyg Track,
0:23:02 > 0:23:06one of the main routes to the summit of Snowdon.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10The ops room at RAF Valley calls in with more details about the casualty.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13I've managed to get in touch with the informants on scene.
0:23:13 > 0:23:17It's a 67-year-old male that's taken a 10-12 foot tumbling fall.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19Initial loss of consciousness. Copy.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22- Right. Carry on.- There he is. One o'clock.- Visual. OK.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26I'm not going to make a pass straight away but we will get there.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28They've found the casualty.
0:23:28 > 0:23:33But Captain Thomas Bunn is worried about the encroaching low clouds.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37It's definitely downdrafting guys. You can see on the nose where the clouds are coming down.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39It's not fantastic conditions up there.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43In such hazardous conditions, the Sea King can't get any closer to the casualty.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48Winchman Ed suggests he's winched down onto the path
0:23:48 > 0:23:51100 metres lower down than the casualty's location.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54Do you want to have a go putting me on the path?
0:23:54 > 0:23:57It's only 100 metres for me to walk up there.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59Put me there with a bag.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02He'll walk up with his kit rather than risk the Sea King's safety.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06Fly away. Out the door.
0:24:09 > 0:24:10Straight ahead. Steady.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12Steady. Steady.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16Steady. On the ground. Steady.
0:24:16 > 0:24:17Empty hook.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22Ed starts the 100 metre walk up to the casualty.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25The weather has taken a turn for the worse.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29The wind is increasing and the temperature is falling fast.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33Rescue 122 leave Ed behind to go and pick up the local mountain rescue team.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36They'll need their help to retrieve the casualty
0:24:36 > 0:24:39before the weather conditions get any worse.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45Pilot Kate receives a call over the radio from Ed at the scene.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47It's bad news.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50122 mobile, this is 122.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54122, I've assessed the casualty.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58It looks like an ankle graze and an Achilles injury, possibly.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01He's splintered and all ready to go.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03I'm not sure if you're able to get back here,
0:25:03 > 0:25:06it feels a lot gustier and the cloud's in and out. Over.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10The casualty has been stabilised by Ed
0:25:10 > 0:25:13but they're totally surrounded by the low cloud.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17The mountain rescue team are dropped off at the bottom of the path
0:25:17 > 0:25:21and make their way to help carry the casualty down with Ed.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24Pilot Kate gives an update on the rescue plan.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29122, 122 mobile. Recording me? Over.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31122 mobile. Yes, this is 122.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34Looks like it will have to be a stretcher carrier down.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38122. Understand and will get on with it. We're in cloud now.
0:25:41 > 0:25:42Definitely getting darker.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45The Sea King can't do anything but watch from afar.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47The crew offers moral support to Ed
0:25:47 > 0:25:51as he carries the stretcher down the mountain.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53How far away are you, old chap?
0:25:53 > 0:25:56I think we're about halfway actually. Not too bad.
0:25:56 > 0:26:00- We're on the easy bit of the path so we should make up some time.- OK.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11Pilot Kate spots Ed and the team coming down the path.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16They're actually just there, look, twelve o'clock now.
0:26:16 > 0:26:20I won't climb any more, I'll just stay where we are now.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22There's about 75 foot ground clearance.
0:26:22 > 0:26:26Sorry, you'll have to continue. We can't get above you.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29Radar operator Nick fires a flare to show Ed the nearest point
0:26:29 > 0:26:32where they can safely winch him up,
0:26:32 > 0:26:35clear from the danger posed by the low cloud.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39- OK, we're coming. - I'll come ahead.- Yes.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42Anyway, here's good and I'm ready for you.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45- If you're happy, I'll winch out in anticipation.- Yep. Happy.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52We're just rigging up a highline.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55- Fantastic.- OK.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58Everything's ready. Steady.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02Further down.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04An hour and a half after they first arrived at Snowdon,
0:27:04 > 0:27:07the Mountain Rescue Team make their way back to base
0:27:07 > 0:27:10and Ed can finally winch up his casualty.
0:27:10 > 0:27:14Safe on board, the 67-year-old injured walker
0:27:14 > 0:27:16is flown to Bangor's Ysbyty Gwynedd.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19It's another successful rescue for Ed and the crew.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22How was that Edlington?
0:27:22 > 0:27:25I've often said that I don't do this job for the money.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27The money just pays the bills for me.
0:27:27 > 0:27:28It's absolutely fantastic.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31The phone rings and you get that, you get that
0:27:31 > 0:27:34sudden release of adrenalin through your body.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37You're sort of preparing yourself for whatever it is.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41You never know what you're going to be doing and never know what's coming next.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44It's such a sense of wellbeing to help somebody.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48You're helping them and essentially saving them.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52Over 70,000 people have been saved during the past 70 years
0:27:52 > 0:27:55by the RAF's Search and Rescue crews.
0:27:55 > 0:27:57After his dramatic rescue in low cloud,
0:27:57 > 0:28:03Peter Whitton left hospital a few hours after he was dropped off with an ankle injury.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06I suspect I'm not walking tomorrow.
0:28:06 > 0:28:07They were very professional.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11Very good, absolutely brilliant. Did everything right.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13Nothing but praise for them.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16I'm sure I'm not the first person to say that.
0:28:16 > 0:28:21For the men and women of the Search and Rescue Force the next job is only a callout away.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25For some, like winchman Ed, the tour of duty will take them
0:28:25 > 0:28:28to the remote Falklands Islands to serve with Prince William.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32But wherever they are, from coast to mountains,
0:28:32 > 0:28:35the iconic yellow Sea Kings will always be on stand by
0:28:35 > 0:28:37to answer a cry for help.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd