LJ ... oh, but what about the traditions/habits!!
There are of course, as we all (should) know, nuances in skill-sets that perhaps are best kept focussed in a particular area.
But ... from a blank sheet of paper, I wonder whether we woukd have ended up as we are?
A shrinking Defence Force does, IMO, demand a review (painful as it might be to vested interests) to “efficiencise” [sorry!] thes duplicated aspects of Defence. Joint Force Harrier (as was) and Joint Helicopter Command are just the beginning. I could offer other options,but I don’t like starting mega arguments on Forums/Fora.
