The last of the Sea King helicopters to serve in the front line in the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) role have left their base at Royal Naval air station Culdrose after more than 30 years service.

Aircrew from 820 Squadron, the last front-line ASW unit equipped with the Mk 6, marked the demise of this trusty old workhorse from the Fleet by a ceremonial flypast over the air station near Helston in Cornwall and local areas en route to HMS Sultan in Gosport.

The Squadron will now be re-equipped with the new Merlin helicopter, and is expected to rededicate as a front-line squadron later this year.

Since receiving its first Sea King helicopters in 1972, 820 NAS has served in the Falklands Conflict, delivered aid in flood-stricken Mozambique, and supported coalition forces in the Gulf earlier this year.

The Sea King first entered service in 1969, and such was its success that no less than seven different variants of the helicopter have performed various roles within the Navy.