Anglesey Airport is the duty station for Prince William, second in line to the throne of England. He and his soon-to-be wife Kate Middleton will settle onto the Isle of Anglesey after their marriage so the Prince can be active in the Royal Air Force (RAF).
Here are some facts about Prince William's occupation in the RAF as it applies to the Isle of Anglesey.
Location and Weather
Prince William's job is a sea rescue helicopter pilot. The Isle of Anglesey sits just off the northwest Welsh coast on the Irish Sea. If you were to take a boat or plane due west of Anglesey you come to Dublin, Ireland. The airport is located on the western edge of the island near the water.
Weather off the Irish Sea can be treacherous, hence the need for an RAF base to launch sea rescues. Although the water doesn't freeze, the average temperature is only around 55 degrees for its warmest time in August.
The Base
The base at the airport is called RAF Valley. The main purpose of the station is to train combat pilots for the Royal Air Force. Rescuing anyone at sea is a secondary role of the RAF's presence on the Isle of Anglesey. Helicopters rescue people from boats and from atop the Snowdonia Mountains on the coast of Wales.
In 2007, commercial flights began to and from the base. Flights happen Monday through Friday except bank holidays. The Isle of Anglesey is a frequent tourist destination for people who need a holiday in a naturally beautiful island near the sea.
Boats
Several ferries go to and from Holyhead on the northeast side of the island. The main destination is Dublin across the sea. As such, there is a need for rescue helicopters as a precaution in case one of the ferries run into trouble.
Fishing is also a popular pastime on Anglesey. If any fishing boats get stuck at sea, a helicopter rescue boat won't be far away. The presence of the RAF at one of their busiest bases is to perform a public service in more ways than one.
Prince William has saved the life of at least two people in the Snowdon Mountains. Greg Watkins was rescued in November 2010 after suffering a heart attack. He also saved a girl last June as he pilots a Sea King helicopter.
It is unclear whether the royal couple will still rent their cozy cottage on the island after their wedding or if they will find a new residence. The island has been their home for six months and they are regulars around town when they go shopping and eat at a local pub.
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