On Wed Oct 10, Jordan Hayes wrote:
> What's up with getting NATO to send AWACS planes to the US?
>
> Who could that possibly be helping?
>
> I understand they are to relieve US AWACS equipment, but wouldn't it
> send a stronger message to send NATO AWACS planes to wherever they
> want to send the US ones?
Could it possibly be a command and control question? That if NATO crews are in theatre, certain cumbersome proceedures have to be followed that the US prefers to sidestep? The US has complained a lot about how involving NATO in Kosovo made targeting more difficult.
Presumably there are no such potential disagreements for home front duty. So maybe this shell game allows them to free up more planes without giving up even a modicum of control?
Michael
__________________________________________________________________________ Michael Pollak................New York City..............mpollak at panix.com