Hi SW
As SAREMF has already stated - each Bidder will no doubt have their own proposals as to how to "disperse" the military aircrew across the SAR-H bases. There are good arguments for and against several permutations of doing it - none has the perfect solution - thats life in any organisation is it not? However, the RAF & RN have laid down clear guidance already as to how many of their aircrew will be available for SAR-H, how long they can be employed and to what level of SAR training and capability they will be expected to have achieved during their SAR-H tours. They are, afterall, intended to be the focus for SAR capability within the JHC and RN Maritime helo forces as they return to their expeditionary posts/tasks with those organisations. Indeed a given proportion will have previous SAR experience - ie. at any one time there will not be a majority of brand new military first tourists in the SAR-H system - Suggests there will be chances for 2nd tours for some mil aircrew within SAR-H at some point (but not consecutive tours probably). It is implicit that the SAR-H system in general will always have a large proprtion of civ aircrew who by definition will form the greater SAR experienced caucus - once the system has bedded down after what might prove a fairly lengthy transition period from the present way of doing business. That said, no doubt a fnumber of ex military SAR experienced aircrew will find employment with the SAR-H company - and thus bring with them their mil experience across the board as the 30 years go by!! This happens now of course with the MCA contract but never before has a UK SAR operator been able to offer a potentila personal SAR contract for life (well up to 30 years anyway)
Its a new way of doing business for sure but I for one believe that the new service will have some real opportunities of carrying forward the hard won SAR skills and ethos that all 3 UK SAR providers have developed and contributed over the last 6 decades. No doubt new kit will allow new techniques to be developed too. However, I am not niave enough to believe it will always be easy!!
Cheers
