Fact is AB - I have been there many times and also in many different countries. It's media reports like this that STICK in the Aussie psych though. Mt Stromlo - first there January 1987. Australia is not unique in the aerial fire fighting game - just a latecomer. What's to say it won't happen again tomorrow somewhere else? Don't worry I have also been there with more tack available than you guys could ever dream about and still you lose the lot and you can only be in awe of the power unleashed. You're right unless you were there you don't know. Hopefully now the people charged with the big decisions may have been there and got an insight into what they are up against and put something more effective and reliable in place.
I see in your post the reference to "we". Which ship were you flying?