dtfl,
Sorry, but you are incorrect again.
The Army would like scheduled airlift, yes...but the AF makes it impossible to put anything on those airplanes because of a 24 hour request requirement. That's why there are empty C-130's flying around.
Here is a lesson in tactics...The Army and USMC is very much reactionary in decision making because of changing battle conditions, therefore, a field commander may need something RIGHT NOW! However, the inflexible AF says...no, we need 24 hour notification to put anything on our airplanes.
Don't tell us this is BS, because it is absolutely the truth. In fact, the AF BS cut its own nuts when I was there.
One example: An AF C-130 was AOG. Another C-130 was going from point A to point B (OPSEC consideration), where the AOG C-130 was (and the C-130 going was practically empty). Maintenance folks asked the C-130 Aircrat Commander if they could put AOG parts on his 130 to take to point B...AC says heck yes...The AF dispatcher...whatever he is called in the AF...refused to let them carry the AOG parts because there was not a 24 hour notification for the parts. True story from the mouth of the C-130 AC to my personal ears when we were hanging around at point B.
So, that is why there are so many Army "no shows." The stuff that has to go NOW, goes by Army C-23 because we don't need no stinking 24 hour notice.
And I am sorry for the Space A folks. We try to take you, but when a feild commander (Army, Navy, USMC or even AF) says he needs something, or there is a need for blood, we get it there. That's the Army way. That why the Army needs the C-27J.
Oh, one more thing, I think I understand the big picture of inter-theater transport, as well.
I have made three round trips down range and back from another point, and a C-5 sitting in the same parking space it was in when we started on day one. Let me see...it takes five days to do three down-range and back trips. Tell me how efficient that C-5 was.
Now, I am so sorry that you think I insulted your AF, and that you think Army Officers are of less inteligence than AF Officers. BUT, THAT thinking is the same thinking that makes the AF the worst enemy in theater, over the insurgents. The AF is totally uncooperative, the most self indulgent and most self promoting service in modern militaries...oh, except how the Luftwaffe was with Ghoering, and see where that got them. Just a little cooperation between the AF and the rest of the services would go a long-long way, and the AF wouldn't be so despised by the other services. The Curt LeMay Air Force or no force thinking is gone...over. Olive branch extended for cooperation...Out here for now.