After 70 years of service, Britain's search and rescue squadron is being bought out by an American company, Bristow Helicopters. Once ran by the RAF and Royal Navy squadrons, a deal for £1.6 billion or $2.4 billion, is putting an end to that tenure.
The buyout could mean that the Duke of Cambridge, better known as Prince William and his fellow co-workers, may be out of a job as the company will look to hire private contractors.
This deal also ends the use of the famous Sea King helicopters. New equipment will be brought in by the Texas-based helicopter company. According to The Sun, "22 state of the art helicopters will operate from 10 locations around the UK."
Currently, Bristow Helicopters operates services in the treacherous North Sea oil industry and says this buyout will create 350 new jobs.
However, privatization of the company is leading many of the current employees to fear that the squadron will lose its' character, which was built on a military background.
Britain's Department for Transport seems to be thinking differently. They claim the transition will lead to more efficient operations with the new equipment they're acquiring.
"Our search and rescue helicopter service plays a crucial role, saving lives and providing assistance," said Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin. "With 24 years of experience providing SAR helicopter services in the UK, the public can have great confidence in Bristow and their ability to deliver a first-class service with state-of-the-art helicopters."
With his current job is in question, Prince William can also start preparing for his full-time job as a new dad. The future King and his wife Kate are expecting their first child this summer.
