the u.s navy

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

May 30, 2003 | 09:32 AM

#31

Fredvon4

Logistics Pro

Joined: Jan 2002

Posts: 3,733

Likes: 38

the u.s navy

Well since I spent 24 years flying and fixing aircraft I gotta jump in and continue to change the subject ... especially because it will keep the heat off of Ford3.

The Air Force A10 is my favorite and the Marine Harrier is second.

If you ain't down in the weeds with real bullets you ain't Sh it

Prior to the Gulf war #1, the Air Force wanted/needed a newer close support aircraft and the Army wanted new/more Apache tank killers.

We (Army) were to receive the A-10s as interim fix. I was one of the instructors at Fort Eustis Virginia who got to do IKPT (instructor key personnel training). Our job was to get the AF training then train the rest of the Army trainers.

We got three A-10s, all the repair parts, and had a full class of transitioned Apache pilots in the training when Saddam screwed up.

After the Desert Storm event, the A-10 had preformed so well there, that the Congress would not let the AF spend money on new Close Air platform and made them keep the Warthog.. Dang, Dang, Dang!

May 30, 2003 | 09:43 AM

#32

mchipman

Freshman User

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 31

Likes: 0

From: U.S.

the u.s navy

I didn't know that the Army actually received some A-10's for testing. I've worked A-10's since 89, except for 3 years on f-16's then they gave the Hawg back to us. Went to the Storm and recently Afghanistan with them. I read the post about A.F. getting better housing and meals than everyone else, I had to laugh, that may be true for most jet outfits and most heavies. A-10's work in the dirt and so do maintenance troops. Try Bagram when it was first set up. Mmmmm MRE's will grow on ya.

Forgot to add, guess what was the first fighter in Iraq on the ground. So don't say A.F. doesn't go into combat. We can still get shot at.

Tsg 18 yrs
A-10 Avionics Tech.

May 30, 2003 | 09:55 AM

#33

E4corporal

Senior User

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 120

Likes: 0

From: Des Moines Iowa

the u.s navy

Let us not forget to mention that most of the Navy's carriers carry lots and lots of MARINE CORPS equipment. Dont see to many jets that say US NAVY on the side other than a few choppers.

Semper FI
United States Marine

May 30, 2003 | 10:13 AM

#34

Fredvon4

Logistics Pro

Joined: Jan 2002

Posts: 3,733

Likes: 38

the u.s navy

mchipman

Not for testing... was a fully funded transition, I trained on one "live" bird at Eustis and the two others were at Fort Rucker Alabama training pilots.

Because it is single seat, out pilots had to get trained fixed wing from the AF on a different trainer and then "transition" into the A-10. By the time we had to give all of it back we had several drivers with over 400 hours in the Hog.

I spent many years in attack helicopters and we did many Joint training exercises with the Hogs out of Mindenhal(sp?) England.

The first time a group came to Finthen Army Airfield (Wiesbaden area) Germany I got to cross train with the AF ground crews and on some missions we went with the Hogs to refuel rearm while the AF guys went with my AH-1F Cobras.

I have a deep respect for the real Airmen that most folks are not aware of. Have even done ops (night insertions in Lebanon) with AF Special Forces guys..

Awesome discipline and skill

May 30, 2003 | 10:20 AM

#35

mchipman

Freshman User

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 31

Likes: 0

From: U.S.

the u.s navy

fredvon4

We get to deal with the Army alot, main mission being close air support (CAS) and combat search and rescue (CSAR), we do alot of interservice training. Even here we have the Marines next door, Hueys and Cobras. A bunch of training happens at night. If it can be deployed somewhere they will bring it and us.

May 30, 2003 | 10:27 AM

#36

Fredvon4

Logistics Pro

Joined: Jan 2002

Posts: 3,733

Likes: 38

the u.s navy

MChipman

Thanks for your service..

As an avionics tech have you ever considered getting an Amateur radio license?

May 30, 2003 | 10:42 AM

#37

mchipman

Freshman User

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 31

Likes: 0

From: U.S.

the u.s navy

Thanks, I enjoy what I do. I have played with radios before but I have too many other hobbies and not enough time already. There are a couple of people out here that have a license though.

May 30, 2003 | 08:12 PM

#38

BigMattXXL

Postmaster

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 3,028

Likes: 1

From: Annapolis, Maryland

the u.s navy

Quote:

Originally posted by E4corporal
Let us not forget to mention that most of the Navy's carriers carry lots and lots of MARINE CORPS equipment. Dont see to many jets that say US NAVY on the side other than a few choppers.

Semper FI
United States Marine

MARINES = My *** Rides In Navy Equipment, Sir!!!