SASless makes a good point. We must reteain a Combat SAR cap. However, Im not sure that his appreciation of the Civvy SAR units stands up. Bristows helicopters have been slowly taking over the SAR task for the UK for the past 10 years. First it was Stornoway then Lee, then Portland...(i might have got my order wrong there) but the point is that 15 years ago the Military used to conduct ALL SAR operations in this country and now they do less than half.....
Maybe its time to give up the last remnants we have over to a cheaper option.