Seems a shame that having got so far the Chinooks havent been allowed into the country. Obviously I know next to nothing about helicopter operations, but surely there must be useful work for these aircraft in Nepal at the moment? OK they are not as able to work in confined areas as the Squirrels but there must be a need for longer range transport of kit/personnel around the country which the Chinooks are ideal for - taking heavy plant to outlying areas as an underslung load for example?
I smell politics here - China sticking its oar in?