Search and Rescue Training Unit (SARTU)
Mission Statement:
1. Provide all Royal Air Force helicopter aircrew with the basic Search and Rescue skills.
2. Deliver customer-driven advanced Search and Rescue Training to students destined for 203(R) Sqn.
3. Conduct Search and Rescue Crewman Pre Selection Courses on behalf of 3 Gp.
4. Undertake refresher, Search and Rescue instructor conversions and Foreign & Commonwealth Training as tasked by HQ PTC.
5. Be pro-active in developing client-driven syllabi.
6. Develop the individual skills and realise the career ambitions for the Units staff.
Courses
Course Description Hours Ab-initio pilot To teach potential pilots basic SAR Techniques 14:15 Ab-initio navigator To teach potential Navigators SAR Techniques 6:00 Ab-initio crewman To familiarise potential crewmen with basic SAR techniques 10:30 SAR pilot To teach pilots detailed SAR techniques prior to front line duties 15:00 SAR crewman To teach experienced ALM’s, AEO’s and Navigators SAR techniques prior to front line duties 56:00 SAR selection To select suitable, experienced ALM and AEOps for SAR Duties 8:00 Staff QHI conversions To convert QHI’s to role 15:45 QHCI staff conversions To convert QHCI’s to role 32:30 Foreign & Commonwealth pilot To teach pilots basic and advanced SAR techniques 20:00 Foreign & Commonwealth crewman To teach Crewmen basic and advanced SAR techniques 39:30 Staff pilot conversion To convert staff pilots to role 10:00
History
The early 1960’s saw the first training of dedicated SAR Crews at RAF Valley by 3 Sqn CFS(H), a lodger unit parented by RAF Ternhill. This Unit, equipped with the Westland Whirlwind Mk 10, became the Search and Rescue Training Squadron. In the late 1970s, with reorganisation of the SAR fleet, Valley’s Helicopter Training Squadron was renamed yet again to become The Search and Rescue Training Unit (SARTU).
1985 saw the final withdrawal of the Whirlwind from RAF service when the SARTU relinquished its mount of many years for the more capable and newer Wessex. This aircraft, with its greater performance and lifting abilities, together with its 300ft winch, enabled training to be reorganised with far more realism being introduced into various courses.
In 1997 SARTU re-equipped with the Griffin, which has enabled this process to continued still further. At the same time SARTU left Strike Command and became part of the Defence Helicopter Flying School.