Pay in warzones has plumetted since the heady days just after Operation IF.
Now a civil helicopter pilot in Afganistan is living in a tent or freight container, being shelled daily, working 10 weeks on - 3 weeks off and on $100k max.
Suddenly equal time in a comfortable resdential area at higher pay without the same level of security risk looks far more attractive.
AQ activity in Saudi also needs to be considered.