there is no easy way to say this but in the big scheme of things do you think the UK government actually really cares that much about what has happened? What has actually changed for the UK? Its not like the worlds oil reserves have disappeared. A world war will not start because of it. The UK government has given money because it is the easiest way to get votes with the least amount of hassle (and save a LOT of money) Pumas are depending who you speak to bare £6-8K an hour to operate. I would hate to think how much a C17 is an hour.

As for sending SH assets out, what job are they actually going to do that is not being done already? 2 pumas will make no real difference even if there were 2 aircraft available. Oh and lets not forget engineers and equipment, TSW, fuel storage, accomodation, food, aircraft storage, C-17 to fly them there, aircrew to fly them, security to watch them etc. Its really not that easy to say just send some helicopters. I dont know everybodies backgrounds. Andbody who has been involved in SH for more than 5 mins will know that there is just not the aircraft spare to deploy for another op.

Anyway rant over, sorry if that is blunt but im just getting a bit annoyed with people all through xmas saying the military should be doing something.

well said....at leats someone has added a little realism to this thread

I seem to remember us sending a couple of Puma to Mozambique a few years back for flood relief. Whilst a great experience, my understanding from the crews was that they didn't even scratch the surface. Why bother sending a v.small number of valuable but insignificant assets to the Indain Ocean when the Government would be far better placed signing a few cheques.

BBC South Today reported at 1335 today that HMS Invincible, Nottingham and Grafton are likely to be leaving Portsmouth and may be going to the disaster area.

No mention of embarked rotary assets on Invincible.

Or they could be going on the deployment planned months ago.........

heights good

Having just got back from shuttling 65 tonnes of aid between Brindisi and Penang, where a C-17 is taking it to Banda Aceh, I am inclined to feel that the military is doing something! Whether it's the right thing, enough, or whatever is always open to debate.

All spelling mistakes are definitely jet-lag induced!