Miitary SAR Manning Levels
Crab,
I agree with 3D on the manning levels issue. I have experience of both military and civilian ops, where as I think you don't. The first thing that will strike you if you are ever join a civvy unit, is the lack of people. We run 24/7 on 6 people per shift. As 3D says we are expected to look after weather info, notams, amendments, wash and clean the aircraft, SE, help with blade/engine changes etc etc etc... Have you ever hoovered the cockpit, cleaned the windows, or helped tow and re-spot the aircraft? I suspect you haven't, it is up to all those engineer chaps to sort out, which costs money.