RAF retrieve stranded rescue helicopter

A RESCUE helicopter on a mission has had to be rescued itself.

The RAF Sea King chopper made a forced landing in blizzards after suffering a technical fault during a mission in the Scottish mountains

The Lossiemouth-based helicopter was placed under military guard for two days after being left stranded at 2,000ft between Aonach Mor and Ben Nevis.

The pilot had to land while flying two stranded walkers to safety on Monday evening.

The walkers and crew were led to safety off the peak by Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team.

The broken-down helicopter was airlifted off the mountain on Wednesday by a giant twin-rotor chinook sent from RAF Odinham in Hampshire.

The Sea King had gone to the aid of two walkers who had become stranded in bad weather near Aonach Mor.

Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team and a Royal Navy helicopter crew from HMS Gannet in Ayrshire also assisted in Monday’s rescue.

The hillwalkers and RAF aircrew were uninjured.

Members of RAF Leuchars Mountain Rescue Team in Fife guarded the grounded machine until it could be taken away for repairs.

In February 2006, another Sea King from Lossiemouth became stranded in the Cairngorms during a whiteout.

Under UK government plans, the RAF and Royal Navy are expected to give up providing the helicopter cover by 2016.

The move will see the military’s ageing Sea Kings replaced by newer helicopters operated by civilian contractors.