Good news for HMS Gannet

Aug 28 2009 by Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

HMS GANNET is to remain a 24-hour search and rescue base.

Modern helicopters will also be built as part of a government initiative.

Central Ayrshire MP Brian Donohoe said: “These modern helicopters will enable faster transit times to incidents, enabling valuable reductions in response times around the UK. This can only be a good thing, especially for Prestwick which has limited flexibility as it is a commercial airfield.”

Of the 12 search and response bases around the country, nine will be 24-hour.

And Mr Donohoe added: “I am really pleased with this initiative, as there had been some serious concerns that this could spell the end for HMS Gannet, which in 2002 was stripped of its former anti-submarine warfare role, drastically reducing the number of aircraft and personnel based at Monkton.”