Helicopter engineers who worked on Sea King aircraft in Helston since the 1960s could be at threat of developing a potentially fatal disease caused by asbestos.

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed to the Packet that it is in the process of contacting anyone who may have been exposed to the deadly fibres since Sea Kings were brought into operation in 1969 - including at RNAS Culdrose.

They were used heavily by the Royal Navy and RAF over a period of almost 40 years, particularly in active warfare during the Falklands, Bosnian and Northern Ireland conflicts, as well as both Gulf wars and in Afghanistan.

Back at home they have also played a major role in air sea rescue, up until their retirement in April 2016.

However, in a bitter irony, the aircraft that helped save thousands of lives around the Cornish coastline and out at sea could now be putting those of their former crews under threat.

In a document leaked to the Mail on Sunday this week, it was revealed that the MoD has issued an alert over asbestos in its aircraft.

When inhaled, the fibres in asbestos can cause incurable long-term lung damage called asbestosis, leading to shortness of breath, persistent coughing or wheezing, extreme tiredness and in some cases even death.

An MOD spokesperson issued a statement on Tuesday saying: "The safety of our personnel and our partners is always our highest priority."

They went on to confirm that any remaining items in service Sea Kings suspected to contain asbestos were being "removed urgently," adding: "We are contacting those who may have been exposed in the past, detailing the actions they should take.

The spokesperson also said that the new owners of ex-MoD Sea Kings that had been sold off were being contacted too, with details of the asbestos risk and actions they should take.

The German Navy is among the organisations that have taken on retired aircraft, with two Sea Kings from 771 Squadron at Culdrose being brought back into service only last year, for training their search and rescue operations.

A spokesperson for RNAS Culdrose said the base would not be commenting while an investigation was taking place.

However, the Packet has learned that the asbestos concerns only affect one specific part of the helicopters, which continue to be maintained and flown on a daily basis until they go out of service entirely in October. 
All engineers have been fully briefed and carry out maintenance in full personal protective equipment when necessary, with all necessary actions understood to have been put in place to safeguard the safety of personnel currently working at Culdrose.