Building for 2015 Bristow SAR contract began. SAR service which was initially contracted from Manston (but abandoned after that base closed in May 2014), commenced officially from 1 Aug 2015 with leased AW139, following closure of the service by the RAF 22 Squadron B Flt from AAC Wattisham. The service was due to be provided by AW189, which is currently experiencing certification issues due to de-icing performance. The AW139 has a slightly reduced capacity but a longer range than the contracted AW189. 
As of 2020, the Lydd based AW189 helicopters responds to around 16 incidents per month
News about Lydd sector |
Award for HM Coastguard Lydd Crewman
29-Jun-21 - A prestigious Royal Humane Society award has been presented to HM Coastguard SAR Lydd helicopter winch paramedic Mark Scotland following his heroic actions to save a 12-year-old girl off the coast of Kent last year #crewman
Coastguard Lydd Base Passes 1,000 Rescues
03-Aug-20 - The HM Coastguard Search and Rescue (SAR) base at Lydd, Kent completed their 1,000th tasking since beginning lifesaving operations in 2015. Operated by Bristow, started with AW139 until the introduction of the AW189. Lydd helicopters responds to around 16 incidents per month #rescues
UK SAR New Coastguard Facility Opens at Lydd
12-Jul-18 - HM Coastguard officially opened the new base at Lydd, Kent. Equipped with AW189 operated by Bristow #coastguard
Bristow Lydd SAR Team Honoured
25-Oct-17 - Bristow Search and Rescue (SAR) team based at Lydd Airport, 32 individuals, honoured for its work. They conducted 425 SAR operations since August 2015
Ground-Breaking at Lydd SAR Base
20-Jun-17 - Ground has been broken at Lydd Airport starting construction of the new HM Coastguard helicopter base for the south-east operated by Bristow Helicopters| More News ... |  |
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