Well done to those who provided such a very good investigation report that highlights so many different issues (across such a very wide range of both Civil and Military aviation organisations) that contributed to this serious accident taking place.

It is extremely fortunate that no such Main Rotor Gearbox related failures have so far led to the loss of life on UK Griffins (or other worldwide similar Bell helicopters that have also previously suffered similar failures).

It was particularly worrying to read about the loss of some very important MRGB related component workshop defect findings, any associated defect rectification records and that there is not even any traceability regarding where that same critical part is now? Throughout my career I have been amazed at just how bad many ‘worldwide’ overhaul/repair organisations defect rectification records are and why some Airworthiness Authorities (and their approved organisations Airworthiness/Quality staff) still seem to allow that culture to continue? That needs to change for obvious reasons!

Not really - to train front and rearcrew for both battlefield and SAR skills including winching, gunnery, NVG, underslung loads etc when the next step was to CH47, Puma or AW101. SAR winch training often involved 2 instructors and 2 trainees in the Cabin, normally with a survivor/stretcher.

Using a H135/H145 seems a little odd to me.....

Yup - but it's going to have to work (at some great cost to MoD) as there is no plan B!