If, like the RN the RAF sent bills for servcies provided, how much would mil SAR cost then? Apples and apples......
Crab and SARREMF - good points indeed
How many helicopter pilots are flying around below 500ft agl in the mountains of Scotland in winter without NVG and having to plan and make an approach to an unlit, unapproved landing site? NVG are the thing of today and tomorrow and for low-level ops which SAR has to be (there are not many people requiring rescue above the MSA) NVG make the job a whole lot safer and give the casualty a much better chance of rescue and therefore survival.