The ARCC co-ordinates rescue helicopters called out to mountain incidents. Photo: Stuart Hill/MoD/Crown Copyright
The coalition Government has announced that the air rescue control centre will be moved from Moray in Scotland to Fareham in Hampshire and combined with the National Maritime Operations Centre.
The Aeronautical Rescue and Co-ordination Centre at Kinloss is responsible for mobilising the RAF, Royal Navy and Coastguard helicopters that are used in mountain rescues throughout Britain.
The move comes as the date for the privatisation of the UK’s search and rescue helicopter service approaches. The ageing Sea Kings used by the RAF and Royal Navy will be replaced by new aircraft under a contract with US company Bristow and will carry the livery of the Coastguard.
The first new helicopters are due to enter service next year.
The Westminster Government said: “The relocation of the ARCC to the National Maritime Operations Centre at Fareham will combine the aeronautical and maritime rescue co-ordination functions, resulting in a better service for those in distress.
“The new UK search and rescue service will use brand-new faster helicopters to cut average response times and providing a more reliable overall service.”
But the Scottish National Party condemned the move, calling it devastating for the staff involved.
Westminster SNP leader and defence spokesman Angus Robertson MP, whose Moray constituency is home to Kinloss Barracks and the rescue centre, said: “This is devastating news for the personnel at Kinloss, for Moray and for Scotland more generally.
“It is the latest in a series of disproportionate MoD cuts to defence bases, capabilities and personnel.
“Two out three Scottish airbases have been cut, the entire maritime patrol fleet has been scrapped and we have the lowest military personnel numbers in Scotland in living memory.
“That the closure announcement is happening in the middle of a life-threatening storm and comes only weeks after the independence referendum tells you much about the cynical approach of the MoD and the UK government.”
The ARCC scrambles the military Sea King helicopters and communicates with the voluntary mountain rescue teams and other civilian search and rescue teams who can request assistance from the aircraft.
Sheepy
12 December 2014Sad to say but I think this is pre-emptive to any future Scottish Independence.
The Government are thinking why would we have a national service based in part of the country that may well vote to go on their own at some point in the future.
You only have to look at what has happened since the No vote won. Democracy in action, lose the vote but gain nearly everything you wanted win the vote and lose nearly everything you stood for.
The next big announcement will be for submarine facilities somewhere in Wales or England. Then guess what else will be moving?
Owain
12 December 2014Hmmm, well don't send anything Wales way without buy in from those of us who live in that country. We will be next in line after Scotland to go our own way - Engerland can then do what it wants with any infrastructure that serves only England!
Roughyed
13 December 2014As the RAF and Navy will no longer have any rescue helicopters surely it makes sense to merge this centre into the Coastguard centre (as the coastguard has all the helicopters?).
Linking it to independence makes a nice sound bite but lacks any evidence.
Bill Pattison
13 December 2014Sounds sensible .
Pete
13 December 2014The days of jobs for the boys n gals for life have gone, integration and rationalisation is the way forward. Can anyone remember when the SAR helos actually performed a downed aircraft rescue in the UK territorial areas, which was their primary role for existing?