Not to beat the point to death, but I don't think longlining can be beaten for efficiency or saftey. Maybe Steve was having a "bad" day, but his points are all practical and correct. (nationality stuff aside)
As to the military, I am sure the men and women over there are working their guts out, but the fact of the matter is that they are nowhere near as efficeint as civi operators. To the guy using to North Sea rescue arguement, flying a stablized machine overflowing with automated systems and crew can be learned. As to your long-liners who would be lost, well, I think we are all lost at the beginning of any new experience, but the hands and feet skills are already there mate.
The military were kicked off the fires in Western Canada two years ago, not properly trained for the job at hand, really lacking in capability and operational restrictions that made them near useless. Then again, I'm pretty sure if us civi guys went out buzzing around Iraq, we'd be in for some surprises too.
AR