RAF Valley: End of an era for search and rescue
Search and rescue helicopter operations are moving from RAF Valley on Anglesey to Caernarfon from Wednesday.
Bristow has a 10-year contract from the Department of Transport to operate from 10 UK bases on behalf of HM Coastguard.
The £1.6bn deal with the new American-owned operators ends 60 years service from the RAF at the Anglesey base.
It is part of a phased switch-over which will also see Bristow operating from St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan from 1 October.
BBC Wales correspondent Iolo ap Dafydd has been given exclusive access to the new service.