A & C
Without spelling it out, I hope now that you understand more clearly the 'operational restrictions' facing in-theatre tactical assets - which is what the Hercs are - they cannot operate 24/7, unless in a totally benign environment - if there is such a thing these days!?
However, it is also obvious from a number of posts that if the Hercs were required to 'slip' everywhere - keeping the ac flying a la the airlines, then they could not because:
a. There are not enough serviceable ac any more.
b. There are not enough crews to fly them in such a manner.
What wories me is that some plank on high will try to ask too much of what is left of the once-large Herc fleet!
Being such fine, proud and honourable people, no doubt they will give it a go if asked - I just hope they are very careful if they do!
That said, I still think approx 2:1 crews is not enough. As I said, we almost came a cropper at 3:1 in early OEF because the sectors were so long, it ate up the crew's hours pdq!