February 2019 Helicopter Ex
Following a quiet month in terms of callouts, the team finished February with an exercise into the Lairig Ghru using Rescue Helicopter 951.
The aircraft arrived mid morning and carried out a period of winch training for those who required it, including search dog Jib, who was hoisted by a live aircraft for the first time. Following completion of this, team members were transported in small groups up the Lairig Ghru to the vicinity of Braeriach. With extremely strong winds, the helicopter crew skillfully landed the first group lower down in the Lairig Ghru after a bumpy flight higher up the mountain looking for a landing site. The rest of the team were transported up to the chosen landing site in their groups and the aircraft departed to base.
The team moved up onto steep ground and practised how they would secure and move themselves alone and with a casualty in a variety of scenarios, making use of the snow the extremely lean conditions were offering. On completing their scenarios, the team commenced the long walk out and headed back to Derry MR base. A few more miles in the bag with full winter packs. Unseasonably warm weather and lean snow but a productive day had by all.
