We had a standard scale of essential ground equipment needed to support our deployments back in the early 1980s - long before we became involved in Middle East wars.
One essential deployment was imminent and the new SEngO started getting involved. He came through to our office and asked what equipment was available at a certain USAF base. We went through his 'tick list' and he was quite happy until it came to 'aircraft de-icing'. We needed a cherry picker to reach the top of the tail and a huge amount of de-icing fluid for a VC10.
"No, sir, sorry, but there isn't any at that base"
"But there must be - we have to be prepared for 24 hour operations!"
"Well, there isn't!"
"But...but..."
"Sir, do you know the name of the civil side of the aerodrome?"
"Err, no. Can you tell me?"
"Yes - the military side is called Hickam AFB - and the civil side is Honolulu International, Oahu. In the Hawaiian Islands!"
