Busy crews from 771 Squadron at RNAS Culdrose carried out some 30 rescue missions during the height of the 2005 holiday season.
The distinctive red and grey helicopters were a regular sight in the skies above Helston as they were called out on operations ranging from hovering within a few feet of a cliff face to recover someone who had fallen, to flying 200 miles out to sea to rescue sick and injured seamen from their vessels.
Other duties included transferring patients to specialist hospitals near London and rescuing swimmers and surfers in difficulty off the Cornish coastline.
One recent incident saw the Sea King helicopter using its powerful "downwash" to blow ashore an inflatable carrying children that was being swept out to sea.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article