... As for transition plans...MoD or otherwise... Who is going to know anything about that? Perhaps in a year or so, when a contract has been signed, the winning bidder will be able to reveal all about their transition plans. As you know, MoD plans to retire all SAR SKs by Apr 2016.... Well that's what the SDSR said anyway... So it's bound to be true!
Service commencement dates are published as part of the DfT's publication package. These refer to unnamed bases 1 to 7 but with their Lot numbers specified, across a nine month period from 1 April 2015 to 1 January 2016.
The DfT have been asked if more detail is available. It was expected that by this time the MoD board would have provided an answer. However, no answer was available last week.
While all this is of great interest to flyers and their bosses, on the ground, or on the coastline, or on the launch slip, the foot-soldiers of SAR want to be able to plan for the changing capabilities of the air assets in their area. Certainly within the next few months, and probably over the next couple of years, I expect that a few events will take place to disseminate information and build the necessary new relationships. Hopefully, there won't be too much screaming and shouting between now and a group hug.
