Shortshaft, I think you missed our point in here. We werent referring specifically to military or civvie pilots, just helicopter winching in general from yachts in general.
As far as Im aware here, anyone can rescue a downed military pilot. RAAF down have SAR capability, but Im sure the pilot who is bobbing around in the Pacific Ocean wont "wave off" a civillian rescue helicopter that happens to be in the area, or a civillian vollunteer coastal patrol vessel.
Who cares who does the rescue operation as long as the pilot or whoever it is bobbing around in the ocean gets picked up!
Cheers
Gus