Ducky is right...
Duck Dodgers = a man that speaks sense!
This "Merlin Force re-set / holiday in Las Vegas" is looking very difficult to defend. It is a luxury at a time when we cannot afford luxurys.
The Merlin Force would, in my opinion, be better served by attending the Exercises that the SME's (in this case the Chinook Force) attend. If Morroco is good enough for them, then why not go along and listen. Perhaps you will learn something. Better still, find an Exercise that involves soldiers (they're the blokes in green or sandy clothes that sometimes climb into the back of your aircraft. i.e. the reason you exist) The best solution is to attend one of the many pre-HERRICK MRX's. They're run fairly regulary. If you need directions, ask Odiham.
Wizard Freak, have you deleted your posts and run off squealing into the sunset? No need really as I've quoted your Post 60 in my Post 68! I've also invited you, on two seperate occasions, to correct my "factual errors". You haven't. Is it painful being told something that is true but you don't like to hear?
From what I have seen, the Merlin Force, in keeping with the rest of the SH Force, do an excellent job. However, they have not listened to the advice from those who have operated on HERRICK. This would have made the tranisition between the two theatres a whole lot easier.
ET / EQ can be done in Morroco.
Disimilar formation / SH escort training can be done in the UK.
Deconfliction training with AH fires and other airspace users can be done on MRX's or on a birdtable / CAST / Simulator.
This can be followed by Exercises in Morroco or Kenya, working with land manoeuvre units, via an Ops Room, on a live exercise. Everyone wins. None of this requires poking off to the US to swan around on your own supporting no-one!
In fact, the Merlin Force have problems listening to advice from anyone! I watched a Lynx WO2 trying to explain ECCA / CIFS drills to a Merlin pilot. The three engined freak driver stopped him halfway through and said "We can put 5 guns on our A/C. We're the experts at this. I'll send my crewman round to talk you through it." He then walked off leaving the WO2 speechless! This was a righly regarded WO2 QHI who had returned fire on numerous occasions, both on TELIC and HERRICK. Bear in mind that during the Merlin Force's 4 year stint in Iraq, they failed to return fire on a single occasion. Apart from the numerous ND's not a shot fired in anger. Not even one!
Think that might change on HERRICK boys?