There was a news story in 2004 or so, where a team of british soldiers got stranded in a cave in Mexico. To assist with local efforts, two brits flew out - one

There was a news story in 2004 or so, where a team of british soldiers got stranded in a cave in Mexico. To assist with local efforts, two brits flew out - one of whom, civilian firefighter Richard Stanton, was also one of the two brits who found the kids in Thailand. While there may have been other reasons not to send a military presence to assist (I recall it being a rather messy situation as it was), it seems clear we know exactly where the expertise is here, and don't let silly 'special forces' bravado get in the way of getting the job done.