My friend, Justin Morgan, is a little bit of a celebrity in SAR circles, primarily for the rescue detailed in the above link. Now that SAR is moving into the commercial sector, with the oil and gas industry contracting SAR coverage for their offshore operations, the industry draws heavily upon SAR Techs with extensive military Search and Rescue backgrounds. There is nothing like the experience these guys bring to the table. Most of the SAR Techs on our particular contract, the guys who run the hoist and go down the wire to rescue folk, while we do the pilot thing up front, are ex-771 Naval Air Squadron boys. 771 Naval Air Squadron, or the "Ace of Clubs", is one of thee most active SAR Squadrons, with a history running back to the eve of World War Two. Justin had a hand in designing 771 squadron watches, in conjunction with Torgoen, a Swiss company specializing in pilot watches. I felt honoured that Justin felt my association with Search and Rescue, hoisting these ex-771 guys down onto heaving decks off Africa's East coast, warranted one of their coveted squadron watches.
Well, it ain't quite that simple. This is Tanzania. Shipping and customs and duty and daily visits to DHL. "It will be here tomorrow" we've heard for the past two weeks. It's a beautiful pilot watch, with a rugged simplistic functionality. I know a few helo pilots sporting Torgoens, and the 771 SAR association will make it something to be proud of, but until mine arrives, my G-Shock will be gracing my wrist for tonight's training sortie. Ah well...
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