The first recorded aerial rescue was during the Franco-Prussian War. The French used observation balloons during the siege of Paris to airlift 164 wounded soldiers from the city.

The first military aerial ambulances were created in 1918 by converting otherwise standard small aircraft to accommodate a patient in the rear cockpit. This was necessitated by the the many injuries suffered by pilots training at temporary, dispersed training airfields with overland transport taking hours.

1 Apr. The maritime dimension to the RAF began with the 238 motor boats it inherited from the RNAS and RFC.

T E Shaw, better known as Lawrence of Arabia, witnessed the inadequacies of rescue resources while saving downed airmen and was involved in pushing forward designs for the later famous Vosper Motor Torpedo Boat. The MTB was heavily armed and speedy. Together, MTB crews saved 13 000 lives.

The Luftwaffe pioneered a highly efficient air sea rescue programme called the Seenotdienst. This did not go unnoticed by the allies who emulated some part of it.

The Sunderland sea plane entered service with the RAF. It earned a reputation with the Germans for its combat capabilities.

May 1940. Air Sea Rescue services were organised in May 1940 when the modern motor craft were based around flying boat bases in the UK and abroad.

May 1941. The Air/Sea Rescue service was officially constituted.

Aug 1942. First official action at Dieppe when ASR launches saved many aircrew but lost 3 launches and 20 men to German attack.