How about a Defence Helicopter Command run by just the RN and Army - they are the main users after all?
Have they got a few hundred aircrew and engineers going spare then?
The RAF element is just about coping, and changing services would speed those planning to stay on their way, recession or no recession.
I fail to see how this helps soldiers/marines in Helmand, and quite frankly they deserve better. Argue as much as you like about the Harrier/Naval Aviation, but as long as troops on the ground are relying on SH, lets not f##k around with it.