Long range SAR Top Cover
So much has been lost from UK defence estate (in which I would firmly include SAR) through cheese paring by successive Govts. Shiny new helicopters (which incidentally I'm not so sure are best for the job and are fundamentally provided to make profits for shareholders) do not make up for everything that has been lost.
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Necessary or good to have, either way we mostly don't have it now!
The focus of my original question was on what additional capability would be brought by a top cover MPA over and above that of a modern SAR helo. Clearly you've interpreted it as a demand that a lone helicopter ought to be sent off to do its own thing without back up; perhaps I ought to have worded it more precisely. I have since learned that at the time of the tragedy, Rescue 116 (an S92) was in fact acting as top cover. This surely tends to confirm that there is no issue of capability? Alternatively, is it being suggested that the fact it was performing this role (because of the IAC crewing issue) was in some way contributory to the accident?
The focus of my original question was on what additional capability would be brought by a top cover MPA over and above that of a modern SAR helo. Clearly you've interpreted it as a demand that a lone helicopter ought to be sent off to do its own thing without back up; perhaps I ought to have worded it more precisely. I have since learned that at the time of the tragedy, Rescue 116 (an S92) was in fact acting as top cover. This surely tends to confirm that there is no issue of capability? Alternatively, is it being suggested that the fact it was performing this role (because of the IAC crewing issue) was in some way contributory to the accident?
Last edited by ShotOne; 12th Apr 2017 at 18:07.
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Necessary or good to have, either way we mostly don't have it now!
The focus of my original question was on what additional capability would be brought by a top cover MPA over and above that of a modern SAR helo. Clearly you've interpreted it as a demand that a lone helicopter ought to be sent off to do its own thing without back up; perhaps I ought to have worded it more precisely. I have since learned that at the time of the tragedy, Rescue 116 (an S92) was in fact acting as top cover. This surely tends to confirm that there is no issue of capability?
The focus of my original question was on what additional capability would be brought by a top cover MPA over and above that of a modern SAR helo. Clearly you've interpreted it as a demand that a lone helicopter ought to be sent off to do its own thing without back up; perhaps I ought to have worded it more precisely. I have since learned that at the time of the tragedy, Rescue 116 (an S92) was in fact acting as top cover. This surely tends to confirm that there is no issue of capability?
And relating this back to my original post the status quo for the Irish Coast Guard now is they provide their own Top Cover because the Irish Air Corps cannot routinely support outside 1800hrs only in the most extremis emergency conditions (getting people out of their beds ad hoc to respond) - this being as a result of severe personnel shortages. Years ago when I served we had a 24/7 response within 2 hours. Typically doing 10 Top covers a year!
Bean counters have a lot to answer for
