In fairness to the chopper pilots, that is a VERY long flight for them and every 1000 feet of altitudereduces Vne by several knots, from a pathetically low number to start with when you are going cross country.
But again, as in all complaints about the US military. The solution is VERY SIMPLE. Start taxing yourself and providing your own manpower, and equipting your forces so you can do the job yourself. Nothing would make America happier.
Cheers
Wino