Samantha Atkins wrote:
>
> This is a very good piece. I question one thing though. Why do
> we have to move the troops through Pakistan? Can we airdrop
> enough troops and supplies for what needs to be done?
>
> - samantha
>
In a word: No. It is essentially impossible to sustain a ground
operation by air-drop (i.e. parachute) or even by airlift (i.e.,
building or capturing runways) unless your supply base is very
nearby or the operation is tiny. "Amateurs study tactics.
Professionals study logistics." Take a look at a map. Notice
how far Afghanistan (and specifically Kabul and the Kandahar)
are from anywhere except Pakistan. Note that cargo aircraft
cannot take off and land from aircraft carriers. Remember the
Gulf war? The US spent six months building up the supply base.
As 'Gene said, we are not military experts on this list. We
excel at unconventional thinking. I recommend that we take
discussions of conventional military strategy and tactics
to other forums.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Fri Oct 12 2001 - 14:40:48 MDT