Oh sure. You gucci 60 guys get a new helo and us Huey bubbas get second fiddle!
On a serious note, hope it goes off without a major hitch. US101 maybe?
Except for the engineering cost to add a huge window to the pressure hull of the aircraft. With both Boeing and Airbus going trying to bottom out their bids, the cost of either of them adding the window would have most likely lost them the contract. Not saying it's smart, but it's reality
Ye olde RWQ is no longer available for active duty. As has been said before, the only way you could do it is if you get picked up by one of the Guard or Reserve -60 units
We only deploy as Mi-17 advisors. No we do not have guns on the helicopters. Although AFGSC has enough to guns and mounts all three units, they position is that the risk outweighs the benefits (which is a whole other story).
Missile security and support is our primary gig. The civil-SAR mission is an additional mission that we perform for the MT-ID-WY area. Granted its the most challenging/rewarding/sought after mission that we do, but it's still secondary.