RAF aircrew sidearms issue
OK, so it was a few years ago, but sidearms were issued for the Balkans conflict. As other posts say, we were expected to be picked up by CSAR fairly quickly - and they would be heavily armed. The most likely use was probably against dogs which might have been used to hunt downed aircrew. I for one was a little envious of our American colleagues who carried a proper weapon (Colt 45 auto) that could do some damage; they carried these on exercises in Alaska as well. To quote a briefing: "Just remember if you eject out here you are not top of the food chain." The best option is not to use it unless you really have to. The usual joke was that throwing your Walther at the enemy was more effective than trying to shoot them.