Twos In
Totally agreed, so if CH-47 wasn't the platform for the task, then what is - ok, HH-60/Blackhawk - so where was it?
Off thread in that where ever in the world, at what ever temperature, at whatever height any platform must surely be better suited to Combat Recovery than an AH.
This does not detract from the 'slap on the back' to the crews that bravely did the best they could with what they had that day, but surely we owe our lads and lasses more than the prospect of recovery by riding an Apache bare back!
If it is an autogyro or an R-22, 'Little Bird' or an EC 135, or A109 or a Sea King or Merlin or CH-47 or a Hook - I believe that this experience was a timely reminder to all to ensure that we have the correct resources in all current and future operational areas in order not to force crews/commanders into having to take decisions/risks that given other options would not normally make.
As all of the other threads have highlighted, along with the NAO report, the whole lack of lift is just being at worst ignored or just taken on risk. Even if the cupboard is bare, then JPR (in all its forms) should be readily avilible to commanders and if the Rolls Royce version isn't realistic in this budget fuelled country, then atleast lets provide something that should be atleast a BMW and not a Trabant.