Well said RS - too much lack of real understanding about how civ SAR training works against what the mil have traditionally done.
I support Crab in that there was a chance for doing something more innovative under MoD ownership and its a shame that too many working there didn't give it another chance after the PFI was chopped.
Crab is right too about dogma in the MoD about fighting the unwinnable war and what the aftermath will be, with many careers dependent on the faithful following the present mantra.
Let's not forget either that military SAR was created around UK shores precisley because it was operating in a combat environment with many brave acts during WW2, (or could have been had WW3 ever happened). Its easy to convince ourselves that such a direct threat around our shores may never happen again. If so then we might regret the day we civilianised some key helicopter capability dottted around the country at high readiness. I am also intrigued to know what the RN will do in providing an experienced SAR helo capability off the new carriers. Anyone for civ S92 detachments on HMS QE then?
