No Parking

[ORAC]

Maybe they need a few Traffic Wardens.... :hmm:

'Too little parking' to boost Afghanistan helicopter numbers (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/defence/6012118/Too-little-parking-to-boost-Afghanistan-helicopter-numbers.html)

Britain can only send a limited number of helicopters to Afghanistan because of a shortage of “parking” spaces, Air Cdr Simon Falla, a senior officer, has disclosed.

[Data-Lynx]

Hmm - has a thread de-materialised? Meanwhile, that'll be Air Cdre Simon Falla whose RAF Web CV includes FltCdr of 6 Chinooks on Op Granby and award of the DSO, command of 7 Sqn, Staish at St Mawgan and has been steeped in the JHC for at least five years. Perhaps, I'll listen more closely, especially when he is speaking plainly, AND I'll carefully extract his quotes from the Teleg' speculation.

Bastion is full: try a Google Map on Lashkar Gah 31° 35' 21" North, 64° 21' 48" East and head NW into the desert. Open sources (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_Bastion)acknowledge that the runway extension to take C17s is about 18 months old and that more work is needed. At least one US Congress-person has asked where a C5 can land in Helmand and I have not seen the answer.

The US statement (http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=12493)in Feb 09 nominated 2 Marine Expeditionary Brigade (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_Expeditionary_Brigade)(MEB) and 5th Stryker Brigade (http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-as-retooling-for-afghanistan,1,4062339.story). Take a look at what the Marine Air Ground Task Force (http://lejeunedeployed.freedomblogging.com/2009/05/31/meb-afghanistan-assumes-control-of-marine-battle-space/)(MAGTF) Afghanistan could bring as part of the Marine Aircraft Group. The 'capability bucket' could include 40 AV-8B, 24 F/A-18, 4 EA-6B, 6 KC-130, 32 CH-53D/E, 12 AH-1W, 48 CH-46E and 12 UH-1N. This is not precise and there have been changes, but you get a feel. Trust Simon Falla when he says they need space which = concrete. He proposed care - not can't.
There is pressure on space and you have to be careful in deploying extra helicopters

[Gainesy]

I read somwhere the other day that the president of Afghanistan owns the only concrete/cement works in the country, so I can't see him objecting to laying more concrete.

[Green Flash]

So, we need more concrete and someone to lay it.

Daydream caption ON

Does the German Army still have the Pioneer Battalions? The Germans are damned good at making autobahns. Getting the cement into theatre could be interesting but the sand, hardcore and water shouldn't be too much of a problem. AND one of our NATO partners gets to deploy at the slightly sharper end; granted, in a non combat role.

Daydream caption OFF