Dan Clemmensen wrote:
>
> 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.
Contrary to claims, Pakistan has NOT said we cannot base from there, and
Tajikistan has specifically said that they would welcome US forces
(Tajikistan is independent from Russia).
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Fri Oct 12 2001 - 14:40:50 MDT