I can relate to that, and other occasions, but to really put the mateship into context...last year, an unknown NZ soldier was disinterred from a grave in France where he had lain for almost ninety years and taken on board an RNZAF 757 at Lille Airport for return to New Zealand to be reinterred in the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.
At no time on the flight back to NZ was the casket alone, the accompanying honour guard and others having decided he was one of their's and that he should have company.
Put that into the context of the Sea King, and you'll find the yoof of today's services are no different than they've ever been.