Accountability
Bravo herkman and Wiley your latest posts.
BB; shedding of the Caribou was really stupid as they performed an invaluable role throughout the regional archipelago and in Vietnam during their service. Doubtless, the C-27 Spartan would be a good replacement; but I have reservations about funding being available over the next decade or so for kit envisaged in the Defence Capability Plan, despite supposed quarantining of planned increases in defence expenditure out to 2030 by both of the major political parties. Australia is facing too many other economic imperatives and voters will inevitably complain more about defence as they come under escalating cost pressures.
The King Air move was arguably even dumber than sacrificing the 'Bou, but I think it is all about preserving the Air Order of Battle. If squadrons are closed down while a requirement exists in the DCP for a replacement aircraft, there is lessened justification for that project to materialise, especially if the politicians are forced downstream to consider defence spending economies. On another tack, given the parlous status of the Joint Strike Fighter project, it would seem prudent to mothball 1 or 2 fighter squadrons to extend the in-service life of the F-18; but if the F-35 dies (as seems possible), those lost flying units would probably never be recovered. The same reasoning could be applied to the Order of Battle for Navy and Army.
While the Service Chiefs are now more subservient to the Public Service defence machinery and the job creation posturing of politicians than was the case pre-Tange Re-organisation in 1974, military leader influence in some of the inappropriate force structuring decisions over the past decade in particular should be highlighted. CDF support for the hugely costly and unnecessary ADF helo fleet rationalisation plan and withdrawal of the long-range F-111 from service - which could have been cost-effectively enhanced for maritime strike - are just 2 examples of leadership shortcomings. As I see it, military history will not judge him kindly.
Last edited by Bushranger 71; 9th Apr 2011 at 21:14.