Jindabyne,
I really don't think I am splitting hairs. If CAS was in front of the HCDC on the subject of current combat air capability I would have some sympathy for your view. When DCDS (Military Capability) is in front of them to discuss FF2020 I would be absolutely amazed if he knew definitively how many jets were on front line squadrons today. As a previous squadron and station commander I am certain that he could have made a very good estimate, but rightly didn't do that in front of the Defence Committee. I would have been disappointed if he had asked his staff to ask the front line commands the thousands of questions that he would have needed answering if he wanted the information the MPs shouldn't have been asking in the first place. You are entitled to think otherwise but I just don't agree with you.
LE