The point I was making is that it wasn't necessary to disperse the V Force during the Cuban crisis. It would take less than a morning shift to bring the whole lot up to Alert Condition 2 as our regular wargames proved and despite the press drama, the affair never actually got that close. On either a Mick or Micky Finn we would prep all the Line aircraft, do "Combats" and then disarm again. In one "Mick" we certainly declared all aircraft (except the hangar queen that had lost a wingtip in a towing accident) ready before lunch and half an hour later we had to send the whole lot off. Where they went we ground crew never knew; up to Saxa Vord and back down the Atlantic side I suppose. In any case they didn't get back until after dark and it made a bloody long day - even worse than a Micky Finn.