Re: Alice-Darwin and East Timor

[pcc@ocean.com.au (Les Brown)]

"WhaleOilBeefHooked" <daproc@spambait.umpires.com> wrote in aus.rail:

>Les Brown <pcc@ocean.com.au> wrote in message
>37e39fed.16860952@news.ocean.com.au">news:37e39fed.16860952@news.ocean.com.au...
>
>> The DoD also concluded 20 years ago that the US would defend
>> Australia, so now what?
>
>When Australia is under attack, then we will ask that question. So far,
>Australia has not been attacked since the 1940's, so you cannot say anything
>about the US role in Australia's defence.
>
Why can't I? I can say what I like about the US's role. It's only my
opinion FWIW. Would you rather wait until Australia was under attack
before deciding if the US will come to our assistance? Too late then
pal. It's a bit hard to build up and train a defence force with an
immediate defence need, whether it be to defend Australia proper or
Australia's economic or humanitarian regional interests.

>> It's not so much the defence of North Australia that a railway is
>> needed, but for the supply of troops, food, medical supplies,
>> ammunition, APC's, whatever, with Darwin as the jumping off point for
>> theatres north.
>>
>> Yes, a Herc. C5 could supply it all, but I would leave such duties to
>> less immediate forms of transportation such as rail, and leave the C5
>> to be used more effectively. Australia does not have an unlimited
>> supply of C5's.
>
>Actually, Australia does not have ANY c5's - the C5, btw, is operated by the
>USAF. Australia has 24 C130's - 12 C130E's and 12 C130H's - with 12 C130J's
>on order to replace the E models, with options on more to replace the H's.
>It is easy to distinguish between them - the E's are painted silver and
>grey, the H's are in cammy.
>
You are quite right, and my son would have pointed out the difference
also. Having seen the C5's and been through them, but not the C130's,
they seem to have stuck in my mind. 

>> Regarding the tanks, you are correct, from Pucka, the Loading Gauge is
>> very restrictive, but not from Port Augusta or Adelaide. Personally,
>> don't think tanks would be the main traffic when they would most
>> likely only constitute a tiny percentage of the overall traffic task.
>
>Spoken like a true defence expert.
>
You sound like I'm not the only one.

Look, either you agree or disgree with this statement. If you agree,
then say so, if you, don't then also say so. Don't make blank stupid
statements when I can do that adequately for both of us.

Les Brown