chute packer has hit the nail on the head. The MOD and UK PLC have been undone (again) by a contract with inherent weaknesses. Despite all the promises of a like-for-like or even better service that is simply not the case. Trying to provide effective overland SAR at night without a full NVG capability is, quite frankly, cuffing it. As proven by the number of times in recent history that the Lossie flight have been tasked into Stornoway's patch to complete rescues that could only be completed by having crews fully qualified to utilise NVGs.
And for those that see this as just another whinge all I say is that (so far) a UK SAR service has stood-up that does not fulfill the criteria of being equally capable as the one it is replacing. I hope this will not last long.