Qatari AF II.

This is coolbert:

Conclusion!

AF = Air Force.

Qatar the correct pronunciation of:

"As many Qataris will tell you, the pronunciation can vary. It's significantly closer to 'cutter' than it is to 'kah-tarr'".

My personal comments and observations regarding those contracts for warplanes, a marked increase in the size of the Qatari air force:

1. Way beyond whatever their [Qatar] needs are.

2. They [Qatar] will not have sufficient pilots to fly that number of warplanes NOR sufficient ground crews to maintain same.

3. A mix of planes, British, French, American, no real commonality. A nightmare for maintenance and spare parts.

4. They [Qatar] will need additionally a much larger AF infrastructure and a further mix of non-combat warplanes to keep in the sky?  Tankers, EW, AWACS AEW. Infrastructure to include dispersal airfields to be used in time of crisis.

EW = Electronic Warfare. AWACS = Airborne Warning And Control System. AEW = Airborne Early warning. Tankers of course for refueling. Mid-air refueling I am told requires a lot of training and practice.

With regard to item # 2, mercenaries can fill the role for BOTH pilots and ground crew maintenance? I am told by authority the guards of the Al Udeid air base already hired American military-style civilian contract workers.

Ground forces of some significance too needed to guard those warplanes. An elite and prepared ground combat contingent beyond what already exists. Patterned on the British Royal Air Force Regiment perhaps.

NONE OF THIS GOING TO BE CHEAP! BUT THE QATARI AWASH WITH CASH!

coolbert.