Nutloose:-
As for the military conforming to airworthiness standards, well that has to be a none starter by their very operational requirements, I would love to see an airworthiness standard that covers BDR.
Of the 70 deaths in airworthiness related fatal accidents discussed in this forum, only 10 were as a result of enemy action (Iraq Hercules), and it might be said that if the aircraft had been fit for purpose with ESF fitted even those could have been avoided. The real point of Military Airworthiness is force preservation, ie the aircraft and crews survive the peace so that they can get to war.
Of course war means that peacetime practice and regulation go out the window if the situation calls for it. I always instance Royal Marines clinging to the outside of two Apache's on a rescue mission. It's war, get over it! Eventually the paper work will follow, eventually the MAA will issue an exemption, or maybe not...
We've had the "military aviation is dangerous, you can't wrap it up in cotton wool" spiel in every airworthiness related thread on this forum. We never said you should. Just give the guys and girls a decent chance to get to the bloody war!