Question on FAC

[Lawman]

Do any of the Marine D squadrons still operate ATAR's Aircraft? And if so does that change any facets of their mission?

 

[Flash]

The DASC(A) is in a KC-130. It's a module that fits into the back of the plane. The Herc guys hate it from what I'm told. It's like 12 hours of max endurance doing silly circles.

You'd be talking with the same DASC guys that work on the ground. Same job, same folks.

I talked to them a few times in OIF and found them about the same as when they're on the ground. You can just get ahold of them from farther away.

I've never heard of this being done in a helo. I doubt it's possible, and even if it was, would have to be in a 53. It wouldn't have the desired effect.

Sounds a lot like the ABCCC the USAF got rid of a few years ago........

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/ec-130e-abccc.htm

 

[Flash]

Do any of the Marine D squadrons still operate ATAR's Aircraft? And if so does that change any facets of their mission?

They did 3 years ago, they had two birds with that setup semi-permanently in Iwakuni.

 

[gaijin6423]

Talking about my realm (DASC) are we?

For those who don't know, the DASC, or Direct Air Support Center, is an information-processing unit that does quite a few things. Not least of which, we procedurally control aircraft in our AO. In addition, we receive, process, and redistribute requests for immediate air support, BDA's, SAFIRE information, etc. It's a little bit more complicated that that (barely), but most of the other stuff we're not even doing in the real world these days.

Well, it's true, the new box won't fit in the back of the J's, and it's already becoming a pain in our asses. I think we have 6 people in the squadron here who have actually done DASC(A) in the last few years, and even then, it was pared down to essentially a radio relay. I don't know of a mini-DASC(A) that's been run out of helos in recent history, but there was talk of us doing it out of MV-22's for some recent training op.

 

[TurnandBurn55]

FAC (A) = FAC trained pilot in the aircraft Most of the time I used FAC(A) was with a cobra but I suppose F-18 can do it as well.

This is incorrect. Being a pilot has no bearing on being a FAC(A). F/A-18C and E pilots cannot be FAC(A)s. Likewise, a FAC qualified -18F pilot is not a FAC(A) either. Both aircrew must be FAC qualified in order for it to be a FAC(A).