On Tue, 20 Apr 2004 19:56:13 GMT, "Mark"
wrote:

To clarify my point (slightly)...

If you need the JSF VSTOL capability to use a particular 'forward base', how
would you get the airlift into the proposed airfield? It's not so much the
forward basing per se.... to a 'conventional' NATO standard (8000 ft)
airstrip I'll sign on... send the conventional JSF. But to an airfield
where you need VSTOL to operate; the support logistics I see as being a
potential show stopper to effective operations.

A C-130 can get into a very small field that a CTOL F-35 could not get
into, but a Harrier/STOVL F-35 could.

wrt 'been done'....

Afghanistan/Desert Storm... very small numbers; very limited overall impact
on capability to successfully prosecute air war (just a subjective opinion)

With Afghanistan the impact was rather greater since the rest of the
TACAIR had *very* long transits, so having Harriers (& A-10s?) close
by was more useful.

Was is this forward basing done because it could only be done by Harriers,
or was it a matter that it so-happened to be Harriers. Was it an
operational imperative or an opportunity seized by USMC to "show their
stuff"?? I see a difference.

Dependent on the size of the strip an A-10 may have been an option,
but fast movers need a lot of length to operate at decent weights.


---
Peter Kemp

Life is short - drink faster