Starboard D. For some reason, we’ve lost sight of the fact that being there to rescue someone whose life hangs in the balance somehow isn’t cool enough to be proud of.
Where will we find such men, Brett327? I sure hope the HSC bubbas you speak of will be able to find it within themselves to stop complaining and do something helpful/valuable for Big Navy. Sarcasm aside, I know full well that every Sailor, regardless of community, will be giving their all to help in the search.
A search-and-rescue operation is underway for a US sailor who went overboard from the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Persian gulf on Wednesday, according to a statement from the US Navy.
edition-m.cnn.com
In all honesty, though, Brett327, what ever made you think that any HSC/HSM pilot has “lost sight” of their responsibility (nay, calling) to be there on call “so others may live”? It’s baked into every mission set we do. Just fly Starboard D? Sure, we can do that, but what about if you go down away from Mom’s IZ? Heaven forbid it be on shore somewhere, and in an unprepared zone, at that. Oh, and it better just have been a maintenance malfunction, because we certainly shouldn’t want to have to defend ourselves or you going in or out. Maybe we should be able to rescue you in an environment where you train to operate as well?
I’ve never understood the cognitive dissidence of some jet bubbas. In one breath, they preach about the CVW’s ability to project power from the sea quickly and before the Air Force or Army can get basing rights, and in the next breath poo-poo their fellow Naval Aviators asking for the smallest bit of support to protect and recover their fixed-wing brethren during such actions. Maybe it stems from the fact that I’ve yet to be able to go to an Air Wing Fallon and not meet Hornet WTIs who don’t even know helicopters have hoists...But thanks, Brett327, for clearing up what my priorities should be.