SASless,
I think that the place that you mentioned has already been covered. It is still classed as an Operational Theatre for reasons that cannot be discussed here. The military guys are part of the bayonet strength ie they can be used as troops when the chips are down, that is why the civilian engineers are all military reservists.
The helicopters are not owned by the SAR force, but by the Permenant Joint Headquarters ie the guys who mount the deployed operations, the crews are on loan and the chinook has been withdrawn for some time.
I for one would be delighted not to ever go back to the place and I am sure that others would agree, but at the end of the day, the army want a platform that they "think" has military capabilities. Army, think !!!!!!!!!!!
Head down, look out for the flack