Anyone who experienced the North of Ireland in the 70s or 80s would testify that the British military had helicopters. Lots of helicopters.
Bessbrook barracks in Armagh was the busiest heliport in Western Europe.
I have no idea what happened to all those helicopters, but they seem to be missing now.
Over the past few weeks the lack of helicopters in Afghanistan has become a political issue in Whitehall with the head of the British army General Sir Mike Dannat entering the political fray.
