I'm considering joining the Air Force...

[b0mbrman]

<< (already got airborne ) >>


Dang...I wanted to be the only one on ATOT w/that distinction

 

[AndrewR]

They were called FAC (Forward Air Controller). Basically all they did was relay radio communications as our radios were not compatable.

LOL! Sounds like a good ol' joint environment. So, the Forward Observer role does artillery as well as CAS? I thought FACs were primarily in control of CAS missions, both from my current training and from my reading of the FAC's role in Vietnam. I just like it how the FAC-As (the flying ones) ride around in OA-10s -- the only difference from the A-10 is the "O".

We also used Pave Penny (if I remember correctly) for Foward Air Support.

That's still used, at least with the A-10 (primarily because its avionics are in dire need of being updated, which is currently underway). I am not sure if Pave Penny is used with F-15Es or F-16s, but I doubt it (might be something on the LANTIRN that could pick it up though).

Yup, FREEFALL all the way!!! Maybe I could become a PJ, then get a few more jumps in

I have a 14 year Army guy in my class who would take major issue with you calling yourself "Airborne" after going through freefall. He gives the Academy grad in our class a very hard time about that.

PJs: 90% washout rate -- good luck.

 

[olds]

<< They were called FAC (Forward Air Controller). Basically all they did was relay radio communications as our radios were not compatable.

LOL! Sounds like a good ol' joint environment. So, the Forward Observer role does artillery as well as CAS? I thought FACs were primarily in control of CAS missions, both from my current training and from my reading of the FAC's role in Vietnam. I just like it how the FAC-As (the flying ones) ride around in OA-10s -- the only difference from the A-10 is the "O".

We also used Pave Penny (if I remember correctly) for Foward Air Support.

That's still used, at least with the A-10 (primarily because its avionics are in dire need of being updated, which is currently underway). I am not sure if Pave Penny is used with F-15Es or F-16s, but I doubt it (might be something on the LANTIRN that could pick it up though).

Yup, FREEFALL all the way!!! Maybe I could become a PJ, then get a few more jumps in

I have a 14 year Army guy in my class who would take major issue with you calling yourself "Airborne" after going through freefall. He gives the Academy grad in our class a very hard time about that.

PJs: 90% washout rate -- good luck. >>



YA, the Air Farce had it made. We slept in leaky tents and had 2 hot meals a day. They stayed in hotels, had 3 "hots" and came out to the site in a rental car. They got 1 hour driving time, both ways, so they were only there for 6 hours. We were 12 on, 12 off. We were trained for all artillery/mortors, CAS and NGF. We used "laptop" (TACFIRE) computers in 1982 and GPS in 1987. Funny thing is, the computers were "state of the art" 1957 rigs. It took two 5 Ton trucks and a towable generator to operate.

 

[xyyz]

<< Go to the Naval Academy, they have better flying programs and you'll have a better chance of flying when you graduate. Also, air force academy is not that hard to get into, you need like a 3.0 and 1300 and you'll probably get in. >>



i read someplace that the AFA is the hardest military institution to get into...

 

[OutHouse]

He probably meant the OV-10 Bronco, the only Army fixed wing aircraft that I know of.


When I was stationed at Nellis AFB Las Vegas (1987-1989) we had 6-8 OV-10 Broncos come in on TDY. The Nellis flight line is HUGE nearly 4 miles long has LOTS of different kind of AC and lots of security patrols. One night the driver of a 1987 Chevy crewcab pickup that was one of our flightline security patrols fell asleep at the wheel. He ran the front end of his truck right into the port side prop. he was going about 20 MPH and the damage it did to the truck was impressive. The bumper was in a nice "V" the hood was crunched and pushed back far enough to shatter the windshield. the blade didnt crack but the impact did pop the first few prop mounts so the prop engine was hanging down. The SrA (E-4) who was driving received a Artical 15 or derilection of duty and became a E-2 and permenetly lost his flight line drivers license. Dohhhhhhh!