Pembrokeshire had an SAR base on its doorstep when first the Navy, and then the RAF, operated air sea rescue helicopters from Brawdy. When plans were unveiled in 1993 to move the service to Devon there were fears that lives could be lost.
The Western Telegraph - with the backing of MP Nick Ainger, Lord Parry of Neyland, the county's top firefighters, local authorities, lifeboat crews, doctors, people who had been rescued by Sea King crews, Pembrokeshire residents and holidaymakers - launched a major campaign to keep the service in the county.
The battle went all the way to Westminster with petitions and Western Telegraph readers' pledges being presented to the House of Commons. And the Western Telegraph's campaign newspaper was presented to members of the House of Lords.
Sadly the battle was lost and the service was moved to Chivenor, from where it still operates.
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