Jacko,
At the risk of biting...
You are entirely correct in saying that I continue to remind people of the politically motivated decision to buy the Merlin in 1995. IMHO, such a decision, which forced the MoD to spend more money on less capable helicopters should not just be swept under the carpet.
However, I have been consistant in praising the efforts of the crews (and indeed the platform) in both Bosnia and Iraq. The Merlin has done well in both theatres (to the surprise on many), but it (nor its' crews) have been exposed to the rigours of HERRICK. That's why they are in the US. The Merlin will supplement the force structure in AFG; but ask the Theatre Commander if he'd want 6-8 Merlins or 6-8 extra Chinooks it is obvious what the answer would be. Which brings us neatly back to that decision in 1995....