I have limited understanding of strategic airlift requirements but add these to the pool with the Hercs, C-17's seem to me to create options and more capacity. Given the expeditionary nature (even within our own country) of the CAF having more aircraft that can just move "stuff" while liberating the C17's to move just "big stuff" is good.
Personally, I think this is a great move for the Army.
Assuming all aircraft are serviceable and we have the requisite pilots, we would have the capacity to move the personnel of an entire brigade group in one lift.
5 x C-17 @ 134 = 670;
17 x C-130J @ 128 = 2,176; and
6 x A330-200 @ 380 = 2,280
Total 5,126
A forward deployed brigade group would probably have some of its people permanently stationed forward so the numbers needing flyover would also be less.
It's doubtful we would ever have all aircraft on line but at that capacity we could easily move the personnel of a brigade group in just two lifts.
Long story short, our ability to forward deploy forces and rapidly reinforce them and subsequently sustain them is being dramatically improved.
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