The changing rank structure of the FAA was to bring it into line with the other services and allow parity between CO's on the boat (dark blue and light blue as it was in the not too distant past). Having SO1 rotary force commanders also allows a HEC to be allocated to the boat should the need arise in order to add some balance to the force structure with the FW element. On the whole not a bad thing, IMHO.
Oggin