An exercise can be announced shortly before combat units take part while support organizations have been preparing for weeks. The Chinese examples give aircrews and operating forces a few days of notice, with logisticians and base-support teams warned earlier. NATO provides the comparison: transport bookings, access arrangements, and local coordination can also require advance work. A sudden announcement does not establish that the entire force mobilized without warning. An American carrier's departure before an exercise also does not establish that its departure caused the exercise, particularly when similar exercises have taken place with the carrier present.
Notable Point · 1:28:38-1:31:10
Snap exercises can depend on weeks of logistical preparation
Short notice for combat units can conceal much earlier work by logisticians, transport planners, and local authorities.