Posted on 09/15/2021 9:34:52 AM PDT by DUMBGRUNT
Fighter jets practised landing on a highway in southern Taiwan on Wednesday as part of an annual live-fire military exercise that simulates defending the island against an invasion by China.
The drill, which was watched by President Tsai Ing-wen, is supposed to hone Taiwanese pilot skills if the island's airstrips are wiped out.
Wednesday's drill took place on one of five highways that have been deliberately built with long sections that can accommodate planes landing.
In June, 28 Chinese jets breached Taiwan's ADIZ in the largest single-day incursion. That came shortly after G7 leaders issued a landmark statement urging peace in the Taiwan Strait.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Generally true, sort of, but primarily and originally it was his intention to build an interstate system to move troops and equipment quickly and efficiently.
His experience back in the 30’s when it took about 30-days to take his unit from one coast to another, that was an experience that was burned into his brain. His early personal notes made that clear.
“The primary justifications for the Interstate System were civilian in nature. In the midst of the Cold War, the Department of Defense supported the Interstate System and Congress added the words ‘and Defense’ to its official name in 1956 (’National System of Interstate and Defense Highways’). However, the program was so popular for its civilian benefits that the legislation would have passed even if defense had not been a factor.”
Again, based on his notes, it was the intention of the interstate system to support military ops but there was no denying the civilian application and (his notes were weak on this) he knew politics and he knew that while people would support an interstate system for military purposes, he knew politicos would sell it more easily if civilian use was underscored.
And, my opinion, politicos embraced this project because of votes, as each state would have an interstate running through it (or in it), and that means VOTES and no politicos ever ignores an opportunity to garner votes.
If the book you read wasn’t Ambrose’s two-volume “Eisenhower” set (Simon and Schuster), I really recommend that for your reading list. You would enjoy it.
Yes, correct, but the interstate system was not designed to accommodate aviation ops.
I still remember when Eisenhower was visiting Taiwan and was prepared to visit the islands of Quemoy and Matsu.
The Chinese commies then decided to bombard those islands.
“it was the intention of the interstate system to support military ops”
like C-119s
not saying there was any specific design spec for concrete load-baring, specifically for aircraft, but that it could easily handle the C-119s etc and would have been factored into any military assessment
if not, i’d really like to know why...
—”Read about The Battle Of Kinmen Island.”
I always knew them as the islands of Quemoy and Matsu?
Chinese maps? Chinese names?
Look it up.
I recommend it.
You’ll be glad you did.
—”Don’t remember a thing “
Great food, nice beaches, and good people.
A friend left his camera bag in the cab and ran to catch his flight...$$$ far more than the driver would make in a year.
About two months later he received a large package!
He sent a generous reward.
Landed a A-10
Great place for R and R, wasn’t it?
over Macho Grande?
Never over Macho Grande.
Somebody, somewhere, sometime had to say it.
Thank you.
The problems in the US are how the landing pilots could pay going through the toll gates or fold the wings for the underpasses...
Not sure what you are talking about.
C-119’s? What? “Any military assessment,” that’s a broad statement with no facts I’ve come across to infer such a thing.
I’ve not come across such a thought in my studies and independent research at the Eisenhower Library. . .no indication “planners” planned for such a thing in the states.
Your analysis sounds correct—but the notion of evacuating cities during a nuclear war looks better on paper than it would work in the real world....
Traffic jams and broken down vehicles would render the highways useless in less than an hour.
again: “it was the intention of the interstate system to support military ops”
a large number of military operations need lift capacity either in, or out, and C-119s/C-123s were a large part of that at the time the IS was designed and built
being able to bring in supplies be it food/medical/etc to the middle of the country even for natural disasters is desirable
since it was intended for military ops, i’d think that would include lift capability
i of course have no firsthand knowledge but i refuse to believe it had never been discussed or factored in
then again, what do i know...
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