xmid - your argument is a red herring for a couple reasons
1) You can't do CSAR without a CSAR TF - The MEU doesn't train to CSAR and never trains to it with an H-60 in an RV role in any case. No commander in his right mind would task the expeditionary HSC det to do that mission given the circumstance.
2) Two to make two is not a sufficient force to successfully plan and execute a CSAR (or any tactical mission set for that matter), particularly since one of those assets is required to remain in starboard d. It's not as simple as saying "They train to do it so lets send them"
IKE - Right on, brother. You nailed it. The argument that you shouldn't train to something that you haven't done recently is nonsense. To top it off, the fact is that HS/HSC CVW squadrons have done a lot of those real-world missions, to include PR and SOF. I've personally participated in SOF missions as an HS/HSC CVW guy and know entire squadrons of others that have as well. As an old skipper once told me, though, "everybody spends their time in the CAP." There are boring mission sets for everyone - PG is one of them and I've done my share, but I've also had the opportunity to do some pretty cool shit. Why, you might ask? Because I put in the time to learn and train to them and the squadron's I was in acquitted themselves well enough to be entrusted to conduct them.
Also, I'm pretty sure I know you - were you a QAO for a real asshole MO once upon a time? I think I was the asshole.