Maybe a moderator would like to separate this into a "future of Marine SAR" thread.
If that were to happen....would you excise any mention of the Osprey in that thread were it to be mentioned?
Would an Osprey tasked for Combat SAR training stand down if a real SAR mission arose for a downed aircraft in the training areas?
Where does the dividing line between the two functions exist....do not the USAF Combat SAR units not do civilian SAR work such as some of the record setting missions out of the UK using the Air to Air refuelling capability of the Blackhawks? The Air Force Jolly Greens did similar flights in the past as well.
We have had several such evolutions in the recent past that have been discussed here at Rotorheads.
It would seem like a real
PR bonus should those kinds of flights take place....lord knows the Osprey program needs some genuine good news.