Are these the four things up by the "22" MODEX number? If so, what do they normally signify?Snowflakes on a BLK III? Did they get them by lobbing Hellfires at a panga?
Are these the four things up by the "22" MODEX number? If so, what do they normally signify?
If I remember correctly that aircraft did a counter drug op on LCS and the snowflakes represent coke busts.
I'm surprised they sent BLK IIIs down there. If I'm remembering correctly, this was the det that ended up having to do a last minute syllabus in Mayport on their way down (or shortly before they left).
Guess you haven't seen the pictures of block 3s vertrep'ing....even seen one of them leave the wings on.
My 60S knowledges are getting dim, but as I recall only the Blk III had the right boxes to work with the FLIR.I have, but at the time (2012-ish?), I thought these were short in supply. But I guess not.
PRODEV question: did the earlier blocks of Sierras also have a FLIR kit installed? I can't remember.
Or you could leave the wings on so ABHAR can crunch them while they are on. Seen one of these folks bend a helo pilot door backwards Tommy Boy style on an HH extended pylon.My 60S knowledges are getting dim, but as I recall only the Blk III had the right boxes to work with the FLIR.
Vertrep with the wings on does happen, especially for squadrons/dets that are on the hook for other missions/training requirements at the same time. I'd imagine that the reason is simply that it's easier to leave them on than it is to take them off and then put them back on. You relieve yourself of the on/off/on maintenance requirement, the risk of breaking something during the drop/install, and what can often be the million dollar question on ships with limited space, where do you put them once they're off so an ABHAN or LSSN doesn't hit them with a forklift / spotting dolly?
The ability of ABs to safely move aircraft is amazing. The ability of the same people to crunch airplanes is stupefying, but such is life.Or you could leave the wings on so ABHAR can crunch them while they are on. Seen one of these folks bend a helo pilot door backwards Tommy Boy style on an HH extended pylon.
More to my point - maintenance needs to have the plane properly configured and not leave stuff on because it is "too hard," improper training plan planning, or a passive-aggressive "we are forcing the Handler to give us more space on the roof".
My 60S knowledges are getting dim, but as I recall only the Blk III had the right boxes to work with the FLIR.