I'm amazed that anyone thought for a moment that running a winch launch operation alongside fast jets would work. The incredibly incompetent working of the collective military mind at times never fails to baffle me. Things which - to my eyes at least - seem remarkably easy, logical and straightforward often seem to be (for whatever reason) far too difficult, whereas something that is quite clearly a very silly idea they cheerfully try. Of course, in fairness I should add that I've flown and worked with some brilliant military pilots.