JunglyAEO
The Myopic comment may not be as flippant as it first appears (and it was me, not Deliverance).
The mob spends a pile of cash training aircrew. Not only does SAR develop captaincy in situations where REAL decisions have very real and immediate effects on individuals survival prospects but it happens week in week out, conflict or no conflict. This feeds excellent general captaincy skills and experience back to the front line. Additionally, the SAR specific skills will be available within deployed units so when the balloon goes up and the ships start sinking, a good number of aircrew will have a sound base of knowledge to ensure the job is done right.
On top of all that, those folk who have trod the corridor, back and forth between front line units at Yeovilton will testify to the retention incentive of second line tours.
In summary, the SAR force provides the primary SAR cover to military aircrew, also a good service to the Public (who after all pay for us at the end of the day), a fantastic training ground and a retention incentive for a substantial number of aircrew.
Perhaps, when you take these factors into account, the SAR Force it is not so expensive as you believe?
I look forward to hearing further of your informed words of wisdom...
Regards
Fiesty
