Did I hear ABC correctly?

The Air Force doesn't have enough planes to fly Stryker Force around the
world when it needs to go someplace? Since when did the Air Force have
a shortage of planes?

After an exhausting session with Victoria's Secret Police, Mark Smith
blurted out:

The Air Force doesn't have enough planes to fly Stryker Force around the
world when it needs to go someplace? Since when did the Air Force have
a shortage of planes?

Depends on how you want to look at it...if you consider all the Guard
and Reserve airlift units that have been activated (or portions of the
units) for duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, then the Active Duty
airlifters are over tasked.

Also one should consider the AF's activation and use of the Civil
Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) for hauling large numbers of troops to war in
both Gulf Wars...those being 1990/91 and 2003. Honestly don't know if
anybody is currently employed for CRAF flying (my company is not now,
but had been during both wars).

Clearly the tasking and operations tempo are too much for *just* the
acitve duty folks to handle.

Juvat

"Mark and Kim Smith" wrote in message
...
The Air Force doesn't have enough planes to fly Stryker Force around the
world when it needs to go someplace? Since when did the Air Force have
a shortage of planes?


It might be a shortage of one or more resources, like EW platforms.

The Air Force doesn't have enough planes to fly Stryker Force around the
world when it needs to go someplace? Since when did the Air Force have
a shortage of planes?


Hmm, they are retiring the C-141 at an accelerated rate, perhaps the ongoing
C-17 production is being outpaced by C-141retirement? Its not a 1:1 deal
though, anyone know how many C-17s will be built for the USAF/ANG/USAFR ?


BUFDRVR

"Stay on the bomb run boys, I'm gonna get those bomb doors open if it harelips
everyone on Bear Creek"

"BUFDRVR" wrote in message
...
The Air Force doesn't have enough planes to fly Stryker Force around the
world when it needs to go someplace? Since when did the Air Force have
a shortage of planes?


Hmm, they are retiring the C-141 at an accelerated rate, perhaps the
ongoing
C-17 production is being outpaced by C-141retirement? Its not a 1:1 deal
though, anyone know how many C-17s will be built for the USAF/ANG/USAFR ?


BUFDRVR


They have also retired the first few C-5's...


KB

"BUFDRVR" wrote in message
...
The Air Force doesn't have enough planes to fly Stryker Force around the
world when it needs to go someplace? Since when did the Air Force have
a shortage of planes?


Hmm, they are retiring the C-141 at an accelerated rate, perhaps the
ongoing
C-17 production is being outpaced by C-141retirement? Its not a 1:1 deal
though, anyone know how many C-17s will be built for the USAF/ANG/USAFR ?

Last I recall the plan was for two squadrons, IIRC, one being in Sonny
Montgomery's home state of Mississippi where they would replace the C-141's
currently in service. That unit received its first C-17 (of eight total) in
mid-December. I believe the USAFR unit is to be based at March AFRB. I would
not discount further ANG deliveries, being as we have seen the total buy of
C-17's exhibit an upward movement over the last couple of years.

Brooks



BUFDRVR

"Stay on the bomb run boys, I'm gonna get those bomb doors open if it
harelips
everyone on Bear Creek"

"Mark and Kim Smith" wrote in message
...
The Air Force doesn't have enough planes to fly Stryker Force around the
world when it needs to go someplace? Since when did the Air Force have
a shortage of planes?

There's NEVER been "enough" Air Force cargo planes. Now, with two conflicts
going (Iraq and Afghanistan) plus normal worldwide committments, I'm not
surprised the airlift community is a little stressed.

Mark and Kim Smith wrote:
The Air Force doesn't have enough planes to fly Stryker Force around the
world when it needs to go someplace? Since when did the Air Force have
a shortage of planes?


For transports? Since before I entered the service (1991).

Mike

Ragnar wrote:

"Mark and Kim Smith" wrote in message
...


The Air Force doesn't have enough planes to fly Stryker Force around the
world when it needs to go someplace? Since when did the Air Force have
a shortage of planes?



There's NEVER been "enough" Air Force cargo planes. Now, with two conflicts
going (Iraq and Afghanistan) plus normal worldwide committments, I'm not
surprised the airlift community is a little stressed.



Supposedly this Stryker Force is supposed to be anywhere in the world in
96 hours ( I think that was the time quoted ) and that the Air Force
wasn't up to that. The complaints were that their troop transports are
too heavy. Not to mention they had to add 2 tons of anti RPG protection
to each machine causing their weight problems to increase. All the high
tech stuff this Stryker Force has ain't gonna do much good if you can't
get them there. Maybe the Army forgot to talk to the Air Force??

Michael Williamson wrote:

Mark and Kim Smith wrote:

The Air Force doesn't have enough planes to fly Stryker Force
around the world when it needs to go someplace? Since when did
the Air Force have a shortage of planes?


For transports? Since before I entered the service (1991).

Mike


Yep. I don't think that the USAF has ever had enough transports. I came
on active duty with ADC in '77 and if you didn't have your SAAM request
in 90 days before the planned departure date then you weren't going
anywhere by air. The FIS's were at the bottom of the totem pole for
deployments and we always had over-the-road backup plans in case MAC
told us that we were being bumped.

Vygg