According to the 'ED' one Dutch Hercules will be stationed for two years un the United Arabian Emirates. There it will, together with Canadian aircraft, support the mission in Afghanistan. http://www.ed.nl/specials/airport/article4226460.ece
What Hercules? We only have two now that are already working full time and we are still waiting on our other two. If this is true it's a decision not well thought through, lending out aircraft we don't yet have.
kiwi wrote:What Hercules? We only have two now that are already working full time and we are still waiting on our other two. If this is true it's a decision not well thought through, lending out aircraft we don't yet have.
It is one of the two we currently have (as stated in the article and confirmed by http://www.defensie.nl" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;).
kiwi wrote:What Hercules? We only have two now that are already working full time and we are still waiting on our other two. If this is true it's a decision not well thought through, lending out aircraft we don't yet have.
As I read it, we don't lend any aircraft, we just stationing it closer to the area of operation. This way no unneccesary transit time is needed getting planes back and forth. The Hercs are needed in Afghanistan, not here.
kiwi wrote:What Hercules? We only have two now that are already working full time and we are still waiting on our other two. If this is true it's a decision not well thought through, lending out aircraft we don't yet have.
Yes there are only two hercs available and the airforce set priority to send one of the aircraft to the Middel East. It is not 'lend' or offered to anyone else but only used for our own troop transport into and from Afghanistan. The KDC-10 brings troops to the Herc, the Herc is responsible for the last (or first...) part of the ride. Due to increased risk levels in Afghanistan the (unprotected) KDC-10 does not operate there anymore. So you bet this decision is well thought through
kiwi wrote:What Hercules? We only have two now that are already working full time and we are still waiting on our other two. If this is true it's a decision not well thought through, lending out aircraft we don't yet have.
Yes there are only two hercs available and the airforce set priority to send one of the aircraft to the Middel East. It is not 'lend' or offered to anyone else but only used for our own troop transport into and from Afghanistan. The KDC-10 brings troops to the Herc, the Herc is responsible for the last (or first...) part of the ride. Due to increased risk levels in Afghanistan the (unprotected) KDC-10 does not operate there anymore. So you bet this decision is well thought through
Haven't thought about the last leg of the troop transit route. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. I realize now the will also reduce the need for C-17s to fly the last leg. Indeed well thought through, didn't think about it enough, thanks.
Stafsels wrote:Sound logical, besides: both KDC-10A would soon be needing overhauling or not?
yes, but before the first one will get it's cockpit upgrade the 3rd DC-10 (or first) will be delivered to the airforce, so during the upgrade process there will always be 2 DC-10's available for cargo/person transport.
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