Canberra,
Yes the E-3D is a very reliable ac actually. In 14 months of ops over Afganistan, it has met 97% of its tasking, a figure reflected in previous ops over BH and Kosovo.
Your experience of the jet at CQWI etc is merely a result of the fact that we've on average probably been employed at 120% of our allocated rate since the ac entered service in 91. Right now, we're flying at 160% of our allocation and this figure has sometimes approached 180% during other periods. Naturally however, the treasury beancounters do not allow for any increase in spares allocation.
Clearly then, the priorities lie with ops and small scale exercises such as CQWI and TLT are relatively low down on ac allocation. In fact, you're lucky that you got a jet allocated at all, let alone co-located!
We'd all love to deploy to leuchars to join in CQWI etc as they do offer fairly good trg value. But we only have so many jets/spares and crews!
Regards
M2
