Thank god for the Antonov!
Relying on AT is just no way to do business.
We spent three weeks in Kenya waiting for 7 failed attempts to get a C17 and our Lynx out to Nairobi.
In the end we cancelled the aviation support to the exercise and went home.
Low priority, I get it. Four out of the five times the aircraft were taken off the C17 to re-role for priority kit for Afghanistan.
Antonov, there every time, on time.
The frustration comes when dealing with the bean counters.....they don't commit to Antonov because "it costs too much" and then when things fall over/exercises and pre deployment training fails.....it's costs a lot more in training lost and manpower wasted!
Plus.....Antonov operators know exactly how many Lynx they can fit on their aircraft. The same cannot be said for Brize......
"you know those 4 Lynx you had booked for the last 7 weeks to fly to Nairobi tomorrow"
"yes"
"we have made a mistake, we can only fit three on, and half your freight"
"ooohhh k"
"so can you let us know now what is absolutely essential to compete your exercise!"
Not very helpful for pre-deployment training 7 weeks prior to going to Afghanistan.
Just book the Antonov and stop pretending we can do everything!