Control Snatch - Wrong. As with most Bases at the moment a lot of people are deployed, are about to be deployed or have just come back from being deployed. Just because the Hornets aren't deployed at the moment doesn't mean other people from the base aren't deployed. Read the paper about who is in the Ghan at the moment.
Bell - I would bet you the people who are responsible in this organisation don't get 8 hrs sleep a night, particualarly with a change of government, let alone the normal workload, let alone the war workload etc etc. I understand what you mean but to put the necessary number of people on this with the correct outcome isn't probably high on the list when people are dying, getting shot at or you have the latest cost over run to explain.
On that subject, defence doesn't make this stuff. They sign the contract and then get let down by the CIVILAN company who said they could do it, then promptly fails to deliver on time...if at all.
However there may be room for agreement on the fact the the comapany that fails to deliver should be made to cover the cost. The problem is if you want that in the contract it costs more...or they won't even try to build your new toy. A fantastic Catch 22.