Questions:
1. If you can't plan to WLM, then why did AZC have it on his flight plan as an alternate?
2. Why blame the Willy controllers when it was the civil ATC that caused all the delays? If you read the transcripts - which are freely available online via the National Archives website - when first asked for a clearance through Willy airspace, the Willy controller said no problems. When the FIS tried to co-ordinate the clearance through Sydney Sector 1, it was they who said clearance was denied because they would not accept VFR in the airspace. It was during this time that Willy said that transit through at 8000 was unavailable due slower preceding traffic (AZC) but 7000 or 9000 was available. When they asked for coastal, Willy once again was happy but Sydney said no VFR above 6000 and that they had some concerns regarding the weather below 6000 coastal and there would be a delay whilst they checked it out. At no time did the Willy controller deny entry.
I might also point out - IIRC - that it was Sydney that asked for the 4000 squawk with ident. When the Willy controller was asked if he held MDX, they said that they had a primary paint (at 46nm?) but 4000 wasn't programmed into their radar. They asked if the aircraft could squawk 3000 with ident and it was confirmed as identified by Willy.
Dick, I respect you but why this crusade to persecute the military regarding this tragic accident? They did absolutely nothing wrong.