Good pointVBSS
Good pointVBSS
I agree about the training; however the 60 is a very capable platform as evidenced by the DAP 60's that TF-160 uses. It always struck me as odd that fixed wing seemed to operate interchangeably yet the rotary Navy and Marine sides were completely separate; however that may simply be my perception.
Also Big Navy seems to not want to use rotary assets in anything other than support; to the extent of possibly decommissioning its 2 most capable rotary wing squadrons (84 and 85).
Concur, the MEU does offer a LOT of flexibility and capability. But it seems to me that a lot of discretion is left up to the MEU CO as to how he apportions his forces. We had all of our skids on the LPD during my float. Other ARG's have put the 53's on the LPD. It really comes down to how the MEU CO & CATF want to be positioned for crisis response while dissagregated. But I have seen different MEU's do things differently based on the warfare specialty of the CO and standardization from one MEU to another seems to be lacking.I also saw cases where the big deck was so crowded that the Snakes were all sent over to the LPD. Lot of flexibility in the MEU-ARG.
All true, hence the view that maybe a couple more Hawks on the deck would enable them some extra time for themselves on deployment.Training, I suppose. My experiences with 60's are mostly limited to CAS. Of the seven or so sections I've seen/controlled, all but one were absolutely terrible. Strapping guns to a helicopter doesn't make it something new. If they spend most of their time in starboard d or doing PMC runs, they don't have much time to be good at anything else. For that reason, a 60 with a gun is not more capable than a Huey. Not even close.
Big Navy was far more concerned about paying the bill than about who was flying what mission.
Yes, there is SWTI course in Fallon.Perhaps the ACE should have all air assets when in the ARG. Would think the ACE CO could find a way to better utilize the newest 60's than doing vertrep - besides, you got Pumas for that. And yes, I know, Pumas are just on the USNS ships...
Do any Navy pilots and H-60's attend WTI?
Do any Navy pilots and H-60's attend WTI?