Originally Posted by
Timelord
Bob, You need a pretty serious crash cat for a transport aircraft full of pax, so getting the appropriate number of fire engines to your runway at an army base would be n issue. The other reason ( excuse) they always quoted was passenger and baggage handling equipment , ie steps, conveyor belts and things.. Oh yes and PCN/ LCN.
I seem to recall a B747 landing at RAF Gutersloh in the early 1980s and the military passengers were tasked with unloading the baggage. They beat the usual unloading time into a cocked hat.