After almost twenty years on the job, Rescue Mike Uniform, is retiring from her lifesaving role as the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter based Stornoway Airport later this year. Her area of responsibility includes the whole the area which the Northwest Highlands sea kayaking guidebook will cover.
Over the years, the crews have battled through extreme weather to rescue seafarers from the seas around the Outer Hebrides, Northwest Highlands and far out into the Atlantic Ocean. They have also acted as an air ambulance when conventional air ambulance planes can’t fly and one baby has even been born onboard!
The crews have been awarded the following awards for various rescues - Queen’s Gallantry Medal, Queen’s Commendation for Bravery in the Air, the Prince Philip Helicopter Rescue Award by the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators, The ‘Edward and Maisie Lewis Award’ of the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariner’s Benevolent Society, presented by the H.M. the Queen, and a number of Chief Coastguard’s Commendations.
Hopefully I will visit ‘Rescue Mike Uniform’ or her replacements (it’s taking two helicopters to replace her) towards the end of June to get a nice crisp, close up shot of her.
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