I have to correct your wrong facts
It as our own RSAF SAR team, Flying Bell 212
The Aust Pilot is on attachment with our SAR team and we have more then capable pilots to take on the mission
It is the stupid Base Commander of SBAB at that time that insist ang moh is better.
He got less night flying hours in Bell 212 but still chosen to go, A very experience pilot is assigned to fly as his co pilot.
so this Ang moh Tua ki mindset is already entrenched way back then.
The decision maker wasted precious time and day light while mooting on the idea of having commandos climb on the cable, over the stuck cable car and climb into the cabin, finally they activate the heli, which makes it so much more difficult to hover at that height with little reference at night
The person making the call is kept confidential till the mission is over and success, only then we know who this ' Hero ' is
I'm sure if the mission crash and burn, some other scapegoat will step forward to take the blame.
I believe that you are correct, that is it was a NZ pilot who was flying the rescue helicopter.