CAS Missions

[BuzzU]

Did the Hornet do a lot of CAS missions? I have a hard time remembering the nineline at my age. It's my biggest problem in the Hog.

 

I'm looking for a plane to fly exclusively that is the easiest on my failing memory.

 

Would the Viper be a better choice?

[maxTRX]

Did the Hornet do a lot of CAS missions? I have a hard time remembering the nineline at my age. It's my biggest problem in the Hog.

 

I'm looking for a plane to fly exclusively that is the easiest on my failing memory.

 

Would the Viper be a better choice?

 

Pen and paper. Develop your own shorthand style, arrows vectors numbers, etc. Start writing as soon as they start talking... Easier said then done in VR;)

Transponder codes and other UFCP stuff, I'd try to punch in as I listen... if I only had the hand/fingers interface in VR. I'm too slow with the mouse. It's coming though...:D

[BuzzU]

If you saw my writing you'd think I was writing it shorthand. I can't even read it. :)

[Lex Talionis]

Did the Hornet do a lot of CAS missions?....

 

... bread and butter for the marine corps.

[BuzzU]

Good info. Thanks Lex.

 

Not having to land on the boat in a storm may be worth doing CAS missions. :)

 

I assume the Marines used mostly airfields?

[Lex Talionis]

Single seats went to the boat, but couldn't have a FAC-A. Two seats could have a FAC-A but didnt go to the boat . FAC - "Airborne" (i.e. the WSO could act as a FAC) was a pretty big evolutionary step for CAS back in the day. Before FAC-As, only a dedicated FAC could be a "FAC". What I mean by "dedicated FAC" is, FACs were always an embedded pilot (harrier or hornet driver) on a ground tour carrying a rifle with marine grunts, acting as their liaison for air support. The FACs butt was on the line when asking for fire support right along with the marine platoon that needed it. CAS is pretty near and dear to marine pilots, "every marine a rifleman ". Airforce A-10 drivers, eat your hearts out.

 

That is all not to say single seats didn't do CAS. They certainly did. You just had to have a FAC imbeaded with the marines you were tasked to support or else you couldn't drop.

 

..... it has all changed over the years though.

Edited August 27, 2020 by Lex Talionis

[G B]

Good info. Thanks Lex.

 

Not having to land on the boat in a storm may be worth doing CAS missions. :)

 

I assume the Marines used mostly airfields?

 

 

Types of missions, especially CAS, are usually not necessarily tied to "airfield" or "boat." How you takeoff and land has nothing to do with any of that. One does not exclude or include any mission more than the other does (generally speaking).

 

 

Marine boat squadrons do CAS right alongside their Navy brethren.

 

 

Along those lines...Navy (and boat Marines) Hornets have been doing CAS nonstop for the past several decades....followed by landing on the boat in a storm :).

 

 

Pretty much every non-Westpac cruise video you find on Youtube shows Navy Hornets/Super Hornets doing CAS in EVERY one of them.

Edited August 26, 2020 by G B

[BuzzU]

Thanks again Lex.

 

I guess I better just suck it up and work at being better at CAS. I do enjoy helping our boys on the ground.

[BuzzU]

Types of missions, especially CAS, are usually not necessarily tied to "airfield" or "boat." How you takeoff and land has nothing to do with any of that. One does not exclude or include any mission more than the other does (generally speaking).

 

 

Marine boat squadrons do CAS right alongside their Navy brethren.

 

 

Along those lines...Navy (and boat Marines) Hornets have been doing CAS nonstop for the past several decades....followed by landing on the boat in a storm :).

 

 

Pretty much every non-Westpac cruise video you find on Youtube shows Navy Hornets/Super Hornets doing CAS in EVERY one of them.

 

Thanks. I'll work harder at CAS and landing in storms. However, if you're on the boat when I come in during a storm. Run for your life!!

[Lex Talionis]

Thanks again Lex.

 

I guess I better just suck it up and work at being better at CAS. I do enjoy helping our boys on the ground.

 

... if you were a marine aviator, your primary job was ground support. And it was a great job to have given you typically had chow or PTed at some point with the marines you were supporting on the battlefield.

[BuzzU]

... if you were a marine aviator, your primary job was ground support. And it was a great job to have given you typically had chow or PTed at some point with the marines you were supporting on the battlefield.

 

 

I would have enjoyed that had I done it. All I have now is virtually but that beats never doing it.

[Lex Talionis]

I would have enjoyed that had I done it. All I have now is virtually but that beats never doing it.

.... (thumbs up)

[evilnate]

IMO hoggs are best for planned CAS(long loiter time), but vipers and hornets are better for emergency CAS situations (faster arrival times).

[Notso]

IMO hoggs are best for planned CAS(long loiter time), but vipers and hornets are better for emergency CAS situations (faster arrival times).

 

The best aircraft for Emergency CAS is the nearest one that is not Bingo and/or Winchester. At that point, you don't get picky.