Oops 78 hits the nail on the head, we are all on the same side and the paramount concern should be providing the most appropriate asset for the task. To go back to my previous point having an air desk coordinating the tasking and keeping the military rescue coord info'd avoids the pointless duplication encountered on many occasions in england and wales (I've been there, it happens). Better coord ensures that the cas gets a good service and avoids silly p***ing contests about who "owns" the cas.
At the risk of attracting friendly(I hope!!) fire, putting the funding on a proper basis removes any temptation by the tasking authority to constantly use the asset inappropriately, just so that it can be visibly "justifying" the high cost involved in providing a helo and generating charitable donations to keep it running. I emphasise, before you all hit me, air ambulances get a big thumbs up from me, I just think the funding and coord could/should be done differently.
[ 28 November 2001: Message edited by: keepin it in trim ]