Long range SAR Top Cover
Don't feel too guilty Sandy, we had hot cans, pot noodles and access to Shannon Airport duty free, or Cork Country Club night stops with free pints of Murphy's, on the way home! 
Almost felt guilty about keeping warm and cosy with a chicken curry or three while you guys were doing the brave stuff down below
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Having landed at Barra in all sorts of weather I don't recall "radar cloud break from another aircraft" being an approved procedure. What could possibly go wrong? (Safer, and certainly cheaper to use Barra NDB or Tiree VOR - just a suggestion!)
That aside, sadly, "warm fuzzy" doesn't count much at procurement time without clear evidence of increased capability ...Not wanting to labour the point, but it does cut to the heart of the OP's question
That aside, sadly, "warm fuzzy" doesn't count much at procurement time without clear evidence of increased capability ...Not wanting to labour the point, but it does cut to the heart of the OP's question
Last edited by ShotOne; 8th Apr 2017 at 17:00.
Not as much as might have gone wrong in hover taxying back down the way we'd come from 50ft above sea level, guided by a search party of locals (who'd found the stricken wreck near the summit of Heaval) and guided us up the mountain by waving of jackets (theirs) but who'd now rightly left the scene - besides which, hover taxying up hill is marginally easier than down hill - and it was our job after all and at least it was day light. The casualty survived - just.
Last edited by Al-bert; 8th Apr 2017 at 17:25.
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Why ever would you want to hover taxi DOWN a mountain after safely recovering the casualty? No, actually no need to answer that; I'm genuinely in awe of SAR stuff without pretending to understand it Even in a similarly tight spot today tho, I'm struggling to see what "top cover" lends to a gps and enhanced vision equipped heli
ShotOne - when the gear box dumps it's oil or the nasty vibrations get worse, and you're 200+ miles from land, it's nice to know that someone will be able to either drop Lindholme gear (or its modern equiv) or a wreath!
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thanks for all the feedback guys, It was always my opinion when serving that the CHC guys always appreciated a CASA overhead when out on a long range job, simple things like an updated ship position, advanced notice to the vessel to stear a certain bearing and all other support functions always went down well with the operating SAR crew. The situation in the Irish Air Corps at present is it's been reduced to a 0800-1800 service due to serious retirements over the last year of ATC personnel and experienced aircrew, No retention policy in place from DOD to stem the flow of retirements with the resultant inability to respond to SAR requests. Shocking state of affairs really. I guess nobody will be held accountable and the usual Spin fed out is that CHC provide their own heli top cover- that might be fine on a summers evening but not mid winter in a gale with low cloud base and icing.
Desk jockeys running down the service seems a trend that's affecting many military forces
😭😭😭
Desk jockeys running down the service seems a trend that's affecting many military forces
😭😭😭
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All this really proves is that it's probably not helpful to merge the concept of top cover with the OP's rightful anger at current issues within Irish SAR.
I will always have immense respect for the outstanding courage and professionalism of SAR crew but since you've chosen to be rude, Albert, it must be pointed out that almost all your responses to my "inane" question have been overtaken by the march of technology; are comms relays/HF coverage really relevant in the SATCOM era, ditto for radar updates vs. marine AIS? Discussing this with a civilian SAR union colleague, he said that he'd love "top cover" ...but had never taken part in a rescue in which it played a part.
I will always have immense respect for the outstanding courage and professionalism of SAR crew but since you've chosen to be rude, Albert, it must be pointed out that almost all your responses to my "inane" question have been overtaken by the march of technology; are comms relays/HF coverage really relevant in the SATCOM era, ditto for radar updates vs. marine AIS? Discussing this with a civilian SAR union colleague, he said that he'd love "top cover" ...but had never taken part in a rescue in which it played a part.
All this really proves is that it's probably not helpful to merge the concept of top cover with the OP's rightful anger at current issues within Irish SAR.
I will always have immense respect for the outstanding courage and professionalism of SAR crew but since you've chosen to be rude, Albert, it must be pointed out that almost all your responses to my "inane" question have been overtaken by the march of technology; are comms relays/HF coverage really relevant in the SATCOM era, ditto for radar updates vs. marine AIS? Discussing this with a civilian SAR union colleague, he said that he'd love "top cover" ...but had never taken part in a rescue in which it played a part.
I will always have immense respect for the outstanding courage and professionalism of SAR crew but since you've chosen to be rude, Albert, it must be pointed out that almost all your responses to my "inane" question have been overtaken by the march of technology; are comms relays/HF coverage really relevant in the SATCOM era, ditto for radar updates vs. marine AIS? Discussing this with a civilian SAR union colleague, he said that he'd love "top cover" ...but had never taken part in a rescue in which it played a part.
Discussing this with a civilian SAR union colleague, he said that he'd love "top cover" ...but had never taken part in a rescue in which it played a part.
Modern comms aren't anything like as good as you seem to believe and an accurately updated position from a top-cover asset can save a lot of time when fuel is at a premium.
Originally Posted by [email protected]
So you would rather take the opinion of someone else who hasn't done a long range job in the Atlantic (North or South) against the advice of those of us who have done both.
Modern comms aren't anything like as good as you seem to believe and an accurately updated position from a top-cover asset can save a lot of time when fuel is at a premium.
Modern comms aren't anything like as good as you seem to believe and an accurately updated position from a top-cover asset can save a lot of time when fuel is at a premium.
Al-bert,do tell,dates ,times etc..
Sorry ,it`s past Al-berts` bed-time......
Sorry ,it`s past Al-berts` bed-time......
Just for you Sycamore!
13 Jan 1988. Launched to RV with RFA Blue Rover (BR) 200nm east of Stanley to pick up an injured soldier (Captain) with severe head injuries at Grytviken. Flew 450nm round trip BR-BR and launched back to KEMH 350nm east of FI. 10hrs total 1 hr night, 1 hr actual.
Bed time - what's that?
PS and grateful for top cover from Albert!
Bed time - what's that?
PS and grateful for top cover from Albert!
Last edited by Al-bert; 10th Apr 2017 at 22:59. Reason: add PS
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"Hasn't done a long range job..". Did you really intend to sound so arrogant Albert? How could you possibly know whether that's the case or not?
No, not a SAR union but pilots union BALPA which I'm delighted to say many current SAR crew (pilots and rear crew) have chosen to join. Indeed latest members mag front-page has impressive deck-level shot of S92 in action.
No, not a SAR union but pilots union BALPA which I'm delighted to say many current SAR crew (pilots and rear crew) have chosen to join. Indeed latest members mag front-page has impressive deck-level shot of S92 in action.
ps - what exactly do you find impressive about the (admittedly) pretty photo of an S92, with winchman dangling, over a calm sea?
Last edited by Al-bert; 11th Apr 2017 at 16:11. Reason: ps
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-yes it was crab that said it, I stand corrected.
And maybe I'm
Just easily impressed! ps. Even if we were to agree top cover as being a total necessity, the point is moot in light of limited options in that area (see MPA thread)
And maybe I'm
Just easily impressed! ps. Even if we were to agree top cover as being a total necessity, the point is moot in light of limited options in that area (see MPA thread)
Last edited by ShotOne; 12th Apr 2017 at 08:47.