HCS Squadrons and FAC with SEALs

[BACONATOR]

Funny, this happens to be a briefing item for my next flight Just started low levels, I can almost see the end of the tunnel. . .

Hah, nice timing! Like was said above spyguy, TERF = terrain flight. 3 types of TERF: low-level, contour and nap-of-the-earth (NOE).

Low-level is mostly straight-tline, but below 500 AGL.
Contour is following the terrain from one point to another, but still fairly direct at approximately <=200ft taking advantage of the boundary layer, masking, orographic winds etc etc.
NOE is flying as LOW as you possibly can, following the terrain VERY closely and VERY slow. Think: above translational lift up a small hill and popping out from behind a fucking tree.

You get to do only LL in the HTs, TERF in the RAG and NOE will be sometime after that... if at all.

Now read up and go get 5s on that brief!

 

[bobbybrock]

NOE flight isn't what people outside the miltary think it is. We still teach it but it just that applicable anymore. Back perform some of the TTP's were changed OIF was some fun flying. Below 150 ft and abvoe 120 knots. Good times.

 

[phrogpilot73]

Clearly the definitions are different across the services. In the USMC:

Low-Level = less than 200 ft, but above 100. Straight line.
Contour = less than 100 feet, but above 50. Following the contour of the terrain.
Nap of the Earth = Less than 50 feet. Altitude/Airspeed dependent. Never done it as a Phrog guy (since it's prohibited)

 

[jt71582]

I stood watch yesterday with an IP who came from HCS (HSC?) - 84. Great guy, I was really impressed, and by the time my AODO shift was over, he had me wanting Helos really bad.

 

[Clux4]

I think there closest you going to get is a guy that flies a little bit for the Navy and IST's to the Marine Corps. There is a Major that flies Cobra at the moment who used to be a Navy 60 guy. He actually started out as a Marine ground and left to go fly Navy when his initial contract was up.

 

[phrogdriver]

I think there closest you going to get is a guy that flies a little bit for the Navy and IST's to the Marine Corps. There is a Major that flies Cobra at the moment who used to be a Navy 60 guy. He actually started out as a Marine ground and left to go fly Navy when his initial contract was up.

So, if I'm reading that right, he started in the Marines, went into the Navy, then transferred back to the Marines? I'm assuming that first bit in the Marines was enlisted, then...

 

[Clux4]

So, if I'm reading that right, he started in the Marines, went into the Navy, then transferred back to the Marines? I'm assuming that first bit in the Marines was enlisted, then...

He started out as an adjutant and bailed out after his first tour. I don't believe he served out his ADSO in the Navy before returning and this is why I think it was possible.

 

[HeyJoe]

100427-N-0879R-998 BAQUBA, Iraq (April 27, 2010) Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF) soldiers set a perimeter after fast-roping insertion training. Members of U.S. Special Forces and crews onboard two Navy HH-60H Sea Hawk helicopters from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 84 provided fast-rope insertion training to members of the Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF) at Forward Operating Base Gabe. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist David Rush/Released)

 

[jt71582]

Red Wolves love! ^nice, +1

I want this job.

 

[Pags]

Red Wolves love! ^nice, +1

I want this job.

Go HS/HSC and then try and get in for your shore/disassociated tour.

 

[squorch2]

They also take HSL/HM types. You're gonna go through a whole new tactical syllabus at -84 anyway.

 

[fc2spyguy]

Go HS/HSC and then try and get in for your shore/disassociated tour.

Question wrt -84. I'm assuming, which may be my first problem, that you would need to be a good stick to land this squadron. So, with that in mind, I'm under the impression that your flying abilities isn't really part of a fitrep, is that the case? If so, does it then go based off of recommendations from your previous squadrons CO/XO? Just curious how your reputation kind of makes it around based on stick abilities vice other officer attributes.

 

[helolumpy]

Question wrt -84. I'm assuming, which may be my first problem, that you would need to be a good stick to land this squadron. So, with that in mind, I'm under the impression that your flying abilities isn't really part of a fitrep, is that the case? If so, does it then go based off of recommendations from your previous squadrons CO/XO? Just curious how your reputation kind of makes it around based on stick abilities vice other officer attributes.

Most of your jobs while a JO will be negotiated by your front office. During your first sea-tour your XO (if he's doing his job) will sit down with you and find out what you want to do for shore duty. VTs, HTs, FRS, Fallon, or something different like HCS-84 will be worked on by your CO/XO and your detailer.

If you are trying to get to HCS-84 in lieu of disassociated sea duty, then it will be your CO/XO at whatever unit you're at working with the detailer.

(I've seen mixed results of JO's trying to work their own set of orders by trying to get the command to 'by name request' them. Attempt that at your own peril)

Until you establish a reputation in your community (good or bad) then it will be your front office vouching for you to get the orders you want.

Once you have a rep in the community, your detailer/placement officer will send your name to the command you're trying to go to and the CO/XO there can make a call, based on your rep.

To sum up: Do very well at every command your at and you stand a better chance of getting the orders you want. Be a 'pack player' or a pain in the ass and you won't get a good set of orders.

 

[Pags]

They also take HSL/HM types. You're gonna go through a whole new tactical syllabus at -84 anyway.

This is more of a casual observation, but it seems to me that they prefer HS/HSC types, mainly because of the similarities in mission set, vice HSL/HSM guys who don't have as much time in form, overland environment etc. One of Chode's buddies (HSL type) tried to get in and they said "thanks for the interest, but we're full." A few weeks later our mutual 7ft man-boy buddy tried pretty successfully to rush them, his efforts were only stifled by reaction to a recent mishap at the time. Of late, Teapot's better half got picked up by them.

Question wrt -84. I'm assuming, which may be my first problem, that you would need to be a good stick to land this squadron. So, with that in mind, I'm under the impression that your flying abilities isn't really part of a fitrep, is that the case? If so, does it then go based off of recommendations from your previous squadrons CO/XO? Just curious how your reputation kind of makes it around based on stick abilities vice other officer attributes.

Squorch and I had a mutual friend who was interested. He started with the CO/XO and they liased with 84's front office. Once the road was paved by the heavies, he basically had to rush the squadron. They invited him to go on det with them, etc. They need your "other officer attributes" as much as any other squadron. Still plenty of leadership needed in the air and on the ground vice just stick skills.

 

[Flying Toaster]

Ok, this should probably be in the dumb questions thread, but what's TERF time?

Although the question has been answered, I stumbled across this and figured a little video never hurts...