The discussion over appropriate CASEVAC, facilities for the Liberian deployment got me thinking about the possible values of a renewed light helicopter fleet (although in terms of UNMILs casevac requirements Im not sure why a pair of AIIIs wouldnt be considered to support the IRCON, presuming they wont actually be recovering personell from a battlefield).
Although I fully subscribe to the belief that MLHs are the best possible investment for the IAC at present, there is a certain attraction to something like a 12 strong fleet of Twin Squirrel/Fennec to provide for both on island peacetime roles and expeditionary support from the Fennec in the LOH, CASEVAC, SOA and Armed Escort roles.
While Light helicopters are far from the ideal platform for any of the latter military roles (the exception being presumably LOH), they do offer a low cost platform with which to gain experience of such operations and a means of advertising and endearing the need for military aviation services to the public.
Even on a smaller scale the acquisition of the reccomended 8 ship Light Helicopter fleet could be made considerably more flexible if half the Airframes were military standard Fennec types with hardpoints and all weather instrumentation.
Now who wants to get started on leasing 212s for MLH TT experience:D
Although I fully subscribe to the belief that MLHs are the best possible investment for the IAC at present, there is a certain attraction to something like a 12 strong fleet of Twin Squirrel/Fennec to provide for both on island peacetime roles and expeditionary support from the Fennec in the LOH, CASEVAC, SOA and Armed Escort roles.
While Light helicopters are far from the ideal platform for any of the latter military roles (the exception being presumably LOH), they do offer a low cost platform with which to gain experience of such operations and a means of advertising and endearing the need for military aviation services to the public.
Even on a smaller scale the acquisition of the reccomended 8 ship Light Helicopter fleet could be made considerably more flexible if half the Airframes were military standard Fennec types with hardpoints and all weather instrumentation.
Now who wants to get started on leasing 212s for MLH TT experience:D
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