On the night in question, firstly the air corps were asked if they could provide top cover, and low and behold the AC were not in a position to do so.
Thankfully once again the UK provided an aircraft, as the Nimrod's are now out of service and the C130's are quite busy with some wars going on at the minute, the top cover was provided by a Reims Cessna F406, hence there call sign Rescue 406.
"As is well known, the AC has never provided an on-call CASA for top-cover (or any other duty). It is done on an opportunity basis and it isn't a declared asset to IRCG".
I am well aware of the declared assets the IRCG have but the Nimrods and the C130's we have used in the past are not declared assets even to the UK CG. The point is there are 2 Casa'a sitting in Bal more than able to perform the task and may I say are very good at providing top-cover when they do, but when they are required sometimes i.e. after ½ 4 the shop is packed up and there is no crews available.
"1. Do SAR helicopters have SATCOM? Is such a comms facility available?
2. Was there a Naval Service patrol vessel anywhere in the vicinity?"
Answers have already been given but:
1. The current fleet do not have SATCOM S 92's will have as we see the need for it when we will be going up to 348nm off-shore with no top cover, this is only good as has been stated to get messages back to shore. HF on our current machines works well but cannot be used when winching.
2. There was no Naval Vessel in the Vicinity, if there had have been it would not have made any difference as the Medevac was off the Juan De La Cosa the Spanish hospital ship which has the same comms capabilities as a naval vessel.
Last point, Top cover is not all about comms with either the mainland or the Vessel, allot is instant knowledge of the exact vessels position, best winching area, have the crew familiar or do they have to be briefed on procedures and if something really bad was to go wrong, i.e man over board, vessel sinking completely or God forbid the Heli ditching, the top cover can get the necessary assets in place faster and thus hopefully a better out-come for all.
Someone has stated that the Casa does not always carry a droppable life-raft is this true??
Thankfully once again the UK provided an aircraft, as the Nimrod's are now out of service and the C130's are quite busy with some wars going on at the minute, the top cover was provided by a Reims Cessna F406, hence there call sign Rescue 406.
"As is well known, the AC has never provided an on-call CASA for top-cover (or any other duty). It is done on an opportunity basis and it isn't a declared asset to IRCG".
I am well aware of the declared assets the IRCG have but the Nimrods and the C130's we have used in the past are not declared assets even to the UK CG. The point is there are 2 Casa'a sitting in Bal more than able to perform the task and may I say are very good at providing top-cover when they do, but when they are required sometimes i.e. after ½ 4 the shop is packed up and there is no crews available.
"1. Do SAR helicopters have SATCOM? Is such a comms facility available?
2. Was there a Naval Service patrol vessel anywhere in the vicinity?"
Answers have already been given but:
1. The current fleet do not have SATCOM S 92's will have as we see the need for it when we will be going up to 348nm off-shore with no top cover, this is only good as has been stated to get messages back to shore. HF on our current machines works well but cannot be used when winching.
2. There was no Naval Vessel in the Vicinity, if there had have been it would not have made any difference as the Medevac was off the Juan De La Cosa the Spanish hospital ship which has the same comms capabilities as a naval vessel.
Last point, Top cover is not all about comms with either the mainland or the Vessel, allot is instant knowledge of the exact vessels position, best winching area, have the crew familiar or do they have to be briefed on procedures and if something really bad was to go wrong, i.e man over board, vessel sinking completely or God forbid the Heli ditching, the top cover can get the necessary assets in place faster and thus hopefully a better out-come for all.
Someone has stated that the Casa does not always carry a droppable life-raft is this true??
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