No 279 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force air-sea rescue squadron of World War II. The squadron was formed on 16 November 1941 and disbanded on 10 March 1946.
One of No. 279 Squadron's Avro Lancasters carrying a lifeboat in December 1945
Air-sea rescue, and aeronautical and maritime search and rescue (AMSAR) by the ICAO and IMO, is the coordinated search and rescue (SAR) of the survivors of emergency water landings as well as people who have survived the loss of their seagoing vessel. ASR can involve a wide variety of resources including seaplanes, helicopters, submarines, rescue boats and ships. Specialized equipment and techniques have been developed. Both military and civilian units can perform air-sea rescue. Its principles are laid out in the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual. The International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue is the legal framework that applies to international air-sea rescue.
A Royal Navy rescue helicopter in action above a boat
An Auckland Rescue Helicopter in action
The PBY Catalina was one of the most popular flying boats used for air-sea rescue.
The Type Two 63 ft High-speed launch, designed by Hubert Scott-Paine in 1937.