Prince William undertakes work experience with a RAF Mountain Rescue Team

Published 12 December 2005

Prince William today started his second week of work experience with an RAF Mountain Rescue Team based in North Wales. The placement was organised by RAF Valley and has included flight experience in a jet, briefings on combat manoeuvres, helicopter rescue techniques, mountaineering and sea drills. William was keen to get a better understanding of the work of the people who do such extraordinary things every day. Prince William said: “I have really enjoyed my time so far with The Royal Air Force at RAF Valley. My familiarisation with their pilot training activities, the unsung heroes of the search and rescue helicopter crews, and my experience with the Mountain Rescue Team have left me in awe of their dedication and sheer professionalism.” Royal Air Force Valley Commanding Officer, Group Captain Mark Green said: “Prince William seems to have thoroughly enjoyed his first few days at RAF Valley and we were able to successfully complete all aspects of his visit programme. He is a very intelligent person who asked well-considered and detailed questions and was able to take on board the enormous amount of information he was presented with. This has been a very successful first exposure to RAF Valley flying operations, and the RAF in general. Prince William made numerous favourable comments regarding the people and atmosphere at RAF Valley and enjoyed his experiences very much.” Over the past two weeks, Prince William has met members of the Mountain Rescue Team and learned basic rope work and abseiling. Alongside members of the pilot training courses at RAF Valley he took part in demanding sea drills. William also operated a Hawk Weapons and Tactics Simulator and undertook circuit practice in a hawk jet trainer aircraft. He accompanied the Search and Rescue Training Unit which prepared Prince William for the mountain rescue part of his work experience by enabling him to learn the helicopter rescue techniques within the Snowdonia region. Prince William’s mountain rescue work experience has formed part of a wider programme which he has undertaken this autumn, before starting his military career at Sandhurst next year. Over the past three months, William has worked on a country estate to learn more about land management, made a number of visits to the homeless charity Centrepoint, of which he is Patron, started to learn more about the community work of the English Football Association, of which he is President Designate, and spent three weeks in the City working with various financial institutions.

Related content

Press release 01 February 2015

Royal family attendance at Afghanistan service

Read more

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the SkillForce 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner

The young there were just as moved as the old.

12 November 2014

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the World War One centenary commemorations, Belgium, 2014

Many nations here today, the United Kingdom among them, owe you a great debt of gratitude for your fortitude and resistance.

04 August 2014

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the launch of the Fields in Trust Centenary Fields Programme

In short, places where freedom may be expressed with such ease.

16 July 2014

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at Wigram Air Force Museum

The reason why the earthquakes did not defeat Christchurch is because of you, and what has united all of you.

14 April 2014
Press release 01 April 2014

WW1 Centenary Commemorations

Read more

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at Tedworth House

We must not let the wounded men and women of our Armed Forces down.

20 May 2013

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the War Horse UK premiere

Hardly a family in the country went unscathed.

08 January 2012

An article by The Duke of Cambridge about SkillForce UK, The Telegraph

It is remarkable what these ex-Servicemen and women are able to achieve for these young people by working together with them, for their own good and for the benefit of us all.

09 December 2011

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge to the 1st Battalion Irish Guards at Windsor

To exchange combat kit for ceremonial uniform in the space of two weeks is nothing short of remarkable.

25 June 2011
Press release 10 February 2011

Prince William appointed as Colonel of the Irish Guards

Read more

An article by Prince William on the appeal for the National Memorial Arboretum, The Sunday Telegraph

We all know that we could not be as we are, collectively and individually, without their selfless duty.

12 November 2010

An article by Prince William about Bomber Command, Daily Express

Each one of those young men died for you and for me.

04 November 2010

A speech by Prince William at the opening of the new Help 4 Heroes rehabilitation centre at Headley Court

Here reigns courage, humour, compassion and, above all, hope for the future.

04 June 2010

A speech by Prince William at the Sun newspaper’s Military Awards, 2009

Often, your loyalty to one another will mean the difference between life and death.

15 December 2009

A message by Prince William and Prince Harry for Armed Forces Day

They work selflessly with honour and distinction, in the most challenging circumstances imaginable.

26 June 2009

An article by Prince William for the Armed Forces supplement in the Sunday Telegraph

I do feel there is truth in the view that society can learn much from British military values and ethos.

21 June 2009

A speech by Prince William at the Annual Passing Out Parade at Hendon Police Training College, Hendon, London

I would like to say how much I admire you all for your dedication and application in successfully passing this course.

06 March 2009
Press release 02 October 2008

New Royal Air Force honorary appointments

Read more
Press release 15 September 2008

Prince William to join RAF Search and Rescue

Read more
Press release 31 July 2008

Prince William: Military Secondments in Autumn, 2008

Read more
Press release 11 April 2008

Prince William receives his RAF wings

Read more
Press release 14 December 2007

Prince William learns about wider Army role

Read more
Press release 21 September 2006

Prince William joins the Household Cavalry (Blues and Royals)

Read more
Press release 08 August 2006

New Royal Navy patronages 2006

Read more
Press release 21 October 2005

Prince William passes his Regular Commissions Board (RCB)

Read more