Wow.
I can't imagine the Coast Guard or the Navy, Air Force or Marines or Local Law Enforcement/Federal Law Enforcement NOT doing search and rescue in the US.
I'm all for private firms doing the work that government should not do but I don't think this is one of those cases.
This isn't beat up on the UK week, but they definitely do things differently.
It sits a little uneasily with some of us in the UK as well. I'm very used to seeing those Sea kings overhead hard at work and it worries me a little that the replacement won't be manned by members of the forces.
ReplyDeleteI'll reserve judgment until its up and running though, as long as they work with same ethic and duty of care to the public then I wont be too bothered, it just worries me that crew may not go above and beyond anymore. There's several RAF/RN winchmen who've been awarded the George Cross over the years, can't see that sort of dedication happening anymore.
On the upside though, half the helos are being built locally which is good news for AW, and i've heard good things about the S92 that makes up the other half too. Plus it relieves a little pressure on MOD budgets as I believe this is now run by the Department of Transport.
I assume UK military assets (ships and Hercs) will still be involved in longer range work though.
HM Coastguard (MCA) already outsources its aviation SAR activities to CHC. Just in case you don't know our sea rescue service is run by a charity, the RNLI, not a government agency. You find if you look around the globe many states do as much differently as they do the same. For example ambulance services in Spain are run by charity, in the UK by government, and in the US privately (by hospitals) and by states and municipalities and some are even run by fire departments.
ReplyDeleteNot sure whether I am happy about it or not. If we had a few more Merlin spare then I would be happy. But as it means the RN/RAF acquiring another air frame then no. At least it is better than the RN gaining the lot. Sea King was primarily an FAA airframe used for trooping (Junglies), ASW (Pingers), and AEW (Baggers)
I like S92. On another forum this would have undoubtedly started a "we should have bought Blackhawk" discussion.
I meant to the "the RAF gaining the lot". I don't mind the RN running anything.
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