freewheeler
29th Aug 2007, 20:52
If a naive, idealistic amoeba on the food chain of aviation might make so bold as to venture an observation.... given situations such as the disaster in Greece , the earthquake in Pakistan, floods etc etc.... What about a multi-national helicopter emergency force with big tough stuff like Mi-8's and better (eg see those monsters in another thread!) to save lives when it hits the fan? I remember out of interest phoning aid agencies when winter was approaching after the Pakistan earthquake and being told that political considerations precluded the military forces of neighbouring countries from helping. No surprise there, but surely such ops would be good training, even if one placed zero value on the lives saved? (too naive?) Does a co-ordinated UN disaster relief helicopter force exist? Do the Russians have firebomber variants of their big stuff? Is the moon made of green cheese? Any billionaires out there getting bored?! :*