At the risk of sounding that I am on side with PMA (trust me, I'm not!), I can see where they are coming from with this kind of move.
33B gets to keep one more WSOp at Kinloss by using someone from ATC who they perceive as the best man for the job on the E3. It makes sense to PMA, who are desperate to keep the Kipper fleet stocked up on a dwindling supply of WSOps keen to get away from their 20 weeks a year holiday in the sand.
I can sympathise with proper brevet, as well as many guys and girls who have done their fair share of time away (and yes, so have I), deserve a break, and would give their right arm for a tour at Waddo. However, I can see (but do not agree with) the use of 'non aircrew-trained' bodies in flying posts becoming more of a trend as our numbers continue to dwindle away.
If PMA continue to send these guys to flying tours, why stop at E3's- send them north as well!!