BB
JTO was surprised that
"the USAF are not required to comply with the UK Military Low Flying Handbook" not that the Crew didn't use the UK Military Low Flying Handbook in their planning. It is, as you stated, clear that they did.
However, to quote the BGen in his "Statement of Opinion" (p30) [my bold]
Although not required to comply with the UK Military Low Flying Handbook 56 RQS follows the guidance to the maximum extent possible.
would suggest that he (JTO) had indeed read the report...perhaps more fully than you ....
So is the BGen's opinion wrong? Why do the USAF not have to abide by UK regulations? Should USAF crews be allowed to fly in UK without fully abiding to all the requirements of the UKMil LFH? Does the USAF Chain of Command expose their crews to more risk by directing that they do not have to abide to local regulations?
So many questions...