Timing and Communication
Posted: Wed 16 December, 2009 Filed under: Cynicism, News, Thoughts 2 Comments »The news today about the military buying 21 more Chinook helicopters “for use in Afghanistan” is – to me – a bit weird.
Fair enough, they’re being purchased, and that will help with troop movements and the like. Except even the most conservative estimates say the first ten won’t actually be “in theatre” (i.e. being used) until 2012 at the absolute earliest, and more like 2013/2014.
All of which doesn’t quite add up with the previous statements from Brown, Obama et al that the troops will start being pulled out of Afghanistan in – um – 2011.
So I wonder which date is more likely to be the correct one. My cynicism says it’s more likely to be the latter one.
It’s probably a little bit of the later date, but also a little bit of knowing that replacements are coming along at all. If you know that you’re getting a new Chinook in three years, then the one you’ve got now doesn’t have to be nursed quite as much.
I’d change “if you know” to “if you *hope* ” – knowing how military projects are so great at over-running, being delayed, and costing more than expected…