There can be no job more honourable than the one dedicated to saving life.
Since 1995 … aircrews and aircraft have taken off from this base on nearly 4,200 occasions.
The first call out was to search for missing people from a rowing boat in Portland Harbour … the last one … to search the Torbay area after receiving a mayday call that four people were in the water.
The record of our remarkable service is second to none … and to all those aircrews … and those standing here today … we salute and thank you.
When the majority of us look out of our windows from the comfort of our homes at an atrocious storm raging outside … you can bet your bottom dollar that somewhere around our coastline a dedicated crew is boarding their aircraft to head off into conditions that would test any professional to the limit.
But … they do so … and with little thought for their own safety … again … and again … and again.
The missions flown from this base are too numerous to mention individually.
But … I have been told that four in particular struck a chord.
The first was the flooding in Boscastle in 2004.
The second followed in the wake of the MCS Napoli in January 2007 when the team was given special commendations for their tireless work after a huge cargo ship damaged her hull in a storm and beached off the Dorset coast. Our helicopter saved all 26 crew members.
The third was the tragic loss of the Purbeck Isle in 2012, where skipper David Macfarlane and crew members Jack Craig and Robert Prowse lost their lives.
The following day David’s body was recovered … bringing some comfort to the many mourners.
And, finally, in July of the same year … the aircraft was called out eight times in one day … the busiest ever.
It’s hard for us to imagine what it must be like handling an aircraft in turbulent winds and lashing rain … often hovering precariously over a tossing boat or inches from a dark cliff-top.
Pilot, crew and aircraft must work as one to achieve this extraordinary level of skill … and again … we salute you.
And let’s not forget the winchman, who is often lowered into a situation that would test the mettle of the bravest.
This level of selfless courage is for most of us beyond the call of duty … but for the winchman … it’s his job … and he never falters.
Facing tough challenges … and extremely dangerous conditions … breeds a camaraderie that again few of us can understand.
Each man relying on the next for his life.
We are all indebted to the crews of this base for their dedication, professionalism and courage.
We shall miss hearing that familiar noise … and seeing that familiar aircraft in our skies … more than I could possibly say.
However, we hope that helicopters will continue to fly from here … and I look forward to working with HeliOps in the future.
Portland will cease to be a recognised SAR base … but this company brings with it all those skills … and SAR aircraft will be able to refuel here … day and night.
For me … and many, many more … this is truly a sad day.
But thank you from the bottom of our hearts for 22 years of life-saving duty … without doubt the most honourable role that anyone can perform.
We are truly indebted to all those who flew our coastline … and we shall never forget you.