Gundog, do you appreciate that once a capability is lost it is virtually impossible to restore. The corporate knowledge I refer to extends far beyond the pilots, there is the RAEME FW capability, the GSE capabilty, the aircraft handlers knowledge of working with the asset etc. One of the reasons for transfer of the RW was the nature of the tasking orders and the potential for the Air Component Commander to be out of touch with the needs of the field commander. Having the ability to put the asset in In Spt, or DS (without pol) is a real advantage. Realistically AAAvn have been responsible for not fighting to keep a really quantifiable FW capability, which they lost with the demise of the Porter/Nomad combo. Unfortunately the higher echelons haven't got the FW background to appreciate the advantage of combined assets, they are too RW focussed. RAAF should retain a tactical transport capability, the Bou replacement is long overdue, but a Beechcraft is not and never will be a suitable replacement. That end of the spectrum should belong to AAAvn who can task more appropriately in a battlefield environment, ideally in aircraft like the Do228, ideal for RFSU support and 'Regional' operations.