Nice shots Peter, any chance you will be at AMS on the 4th ?

They’re a lot more be sure of that, the question is:

a) How much time would take for them to deploy along its logistical train supply…this is not like the 1st TFW deployment to Gulf Peninsula 48 hours after Saddam invaded Kuwait…if you even deploy them without the logistical train (spares, weapons, manpower and so)…what difference would they made?.

b) Political implications that such a massive USAF ReforGer would have in the political situation prior to war?…if you’re in the NATO side and you’re in the constrain of war (the buildup period) you would be wanting to, or gain time for negotiations or gain time for influencing the COF (Correlation of Forces) so the deployment of forces in-situ…when the USAF deploys 300-400 aircraft to Europe (how much time it would take?, 4-5-6 days?…after how much time of deliberation and political talks?) for the Soviets to re-shift the COF deploying the forces on Baltic, Bielorrusian and Carpathian MDs slatted for reinforcing Europe?…

c) Would all the countries involved in such reinforcements be in accord with the decission?…how much pressure would the soviet politic machine exert on Belgium, Netherlands or Denmark to delay this?…

a) An USAFEUR assigend wing could deploy to their forward operating location in Germany in less then 24 hours. The planes would arrive fully armed and German ground personal were trained to cross service the planes, meaning they could perform basci checks and rearm the planes. You might do not know about those huge Ample Train excersises which made sure that any NATO aircraft could be turned around at any NATO airbase without problems. The forward operating locations of USA based planes had weapons and spares already palced in storage in Germany, to begin operations they just needed the planes. The USAF had enough tankers to deploy up to 3-4 wings within 24 hours.

b) Their was no politcal influence. The Soviets do something unusual that seems threatening Reforger kicks in. It happened more then once that there was an un-scheduled reforger happening, which was later called a “planed” surprise excersise.

c) They would not be asked. IT was an autmatic system. Once NATO headquarter starts Reforger, then it starts. No need to ask any goverment.

Happy Birthday Peter.

The funny thing is that Airbus will pay catch up with Boeing for years to come. The A380 and the A400M are dubios projects when it comes to commercial success, while Boeing will be selling and deliviering the 787 and the 747-800 rather quickly.
After that Boeing has every time to invest all its power into a 737 replacement. A move Airbus won´t be able to counter. The new Boeing will probably kill all A320 sales and will give Boeing market dominance for years to come.

BWB is a sound idea technically. Could be an option for a 737 replacement even. As this could offer a 747 3+4+3 or 2+4+2 seating layout, which would not be totally alien to passengers.

A380 in LH markings

MiG-29 OVT