The Coastguard’s helicopter search-and-rescue (SAR) crews continue to be commended and awarded for their life-saving efforts during their time in the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy prior to joining Bristow Helicopters, where they now operate the SAR helicopter service on behalf of Her Majesty’s Coastguard.
“Our crews, both civilian and ex-military, are of the highest caliber, so it comes as no surprise that they are recognized for their efforts,” said Russell Torbet, director of U.K. SAR. “My thanks go to Clem, Sprokkit and Speedy for continuing the military’s SAR legacy with Bristow and HM Coastguard.”
Sgt Neil Clements and Flight Sgt Sean Proctor have been awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery in the Air (QCBA) in respect of notable taskings, whilst working with the Royal Air Force.
Clements, now winchman paramedic at Caernarfon SAR, was honored for volunteering to rescue a woman in distress, by winch, in rough seas off Tynemouth Pier, on Nov. 5, 2014.
Proctor, now based at Inverness SAR as chief crewman (winch operator/paramedic), also received the honor for participating in the winch rescue of a crewman suffering severe abdominal pains on fishing vessel Kjelsvikk, 95 nautical miles northeast of Aberdeen, on Jan. 7, 2015.
The Queen has also been graciously pleased to approve the award of The Queen’s Gallantry Medal (QGM) to PO aircrewman Alan Speed. Speed is now based at Inverness, also in the role of winchman paramedic, and has been awarded the QGM for rescuing ten passengers trapped in a single decker bus in a heavily flooded river in Dailly, South Ayrshire on Dec. 30, 2015.
