some weeks ago I posted a thread on 'military' with regards to the civ use of mil assets. Some interesting views came up.
I have an unofficial project (more of a scrapbook of interst for myself) as to how we could justify a joint services chopper here on the IOM. It would have to be something of the Dauphin Genre, capable of transferring cases to UK hospitals, and that is where primacy would lie. Followng that, tasking would be available for Customs (100 miles of coastline to patrol as well at territorial waters) Fisheries Protection (as above) and of course police work. Ideally I would also like to see it SAR capable. We justify six lifeboats which gives you some idea. Valley can be there reasonably sharpish, as can Irish SAR, but every little helps.
Crewing would be interesting. I would see the need for dedicated specialists, rather than trained up paramedics and police officers.
In todays congested Britain, helo's are the way forward for efficient deployment of emergency assets. We just cant seem to see it, neve mind afford it. Compare Greater Manchester Police (1 a/c) to the LAPD (15 a/c). Both are geographically similar areas.
One day......................one day!