Here’s a perfect demonstration of the problem. Brett327 laments that HSC pilots don’t hang their hat on SAR/PR as a primary mission area. Squorch sagely advises to reference COCOM priorities, and is SAR/PR there?
Also, Hotdogs argues that HSC shouldn’t worry about some of the basic components of PR coverage (range/duration, and environment) because:
So Brett327, what to do? You say that the problem is the HSC commodores who’ve gotten the messaging and priorities wrong. But there are a lot more leaders above them in NAE who have done their fair share of adding to the confusion.
Squorch’s and Hotdogs’ demonstrate a sample of the arguments HSC has faced over the years from most of NAE (there’s someone better, you don’t need to worry about anything other than uncontested, short-range maritime, etc). Basically, I’m supposed to focus on what’s important (Brett says it’s SAR over SOF/CAS/ASUW). But, those aren’t any of the COCOM priorities (right Squorch?). Besides, there’s always somebody better at each of those missions than HSC (PR: RQS; CAS: HMLA; SOF: TF; VERTREP: contract Pumas; ASUW: HSM?). So, I guess that begs the question: what the heck’s the point of HSC? Should we just give it all up?
RedFive nails it perfectly:
And it’s not just Commodore level, it’s across multiple levels. Joint Doctrine requires USN to provide a number of capabilities and these are reflected in ROC/POEs. If the answer is for HSC to get rid of each mission set, then why isn’t that reflected in the ROC/POEs (which aren’t written by the Commodores)? Either get rid of the requirements (SAR, PR, CAS, SOF, etc), or support the requirement. Don’t demand it and not support it—we’ve seen how that plays out with HSC-5’s experience. The video from the NHA flag panel a few years ago spells it out pretty well: “so are we in, or are we out?”
NHA Flag Officer Panel Q&A on HSC-84 & HSC-85
Oh, and I’m pretty sure the Boxer was happy to have HSC today, even if it wasn’t during a PG line:
https://www.businessinsider.in/uss-boxer-had-a-bizarre-and-dangerous-encounter-with-an-iranian-chopper-right-before-the-ship-destroyed-a-drone/articleshow/
it really, really isn't.
Also, Hotdogs argues that HSC shouldn’t worry about some of the basic components of PR coverage (range/duration, and environment) because:
It’s almost as if there’s other assets that are more capable of doing that mission or something.
So Brett327, what to do? You say that the problem is the HSC commodores who’ve gotten the messaging and priorities wrong. But there are a lot more leaders above them in NAE who have done their fair share of adding to the confusion.
Squorch’s and Hotdogs’ demonstrate a sample of the arguments HSC has faced over the years from most of NAE (there’s someone better, you don’t need to worry about anything other than uncontested, short-range maritime, etc). Basically, I’m supposed to focus on what’s important (Brett says it’s SAR over SOF/CAS/ASUW). But, those aren’t any of the COCOM priorities (right Squorch?). Besides, there’s always somebody better at each of those missions than HSC (PR: RQS; CAS: HMLA; SOF: TF; VERTREP: contract Pumas; ASUW: HSM?). So, I guess that begs the question: what the heck’s the point of HSC? Should we just give it all up?
RedFive nails it perfectly:
No man, that's not it at all. It's because LEADERSHIPfailed them/us. This is 100% a LEADERSHIPproblem, or perhaps lackthereof.
And it’s not just Commodore level, it’s across multiple levels. Joint Doctrine requires USN to provide a number of capabilities and these are reflected in ROC/POEs. If the answer is for HSC to get rid of each mission set, then why isn’t that reflected in the ROC/POEs (which aren’t written by the Commodores)? Either get rid of the requirements (SAR, PR, CAS, SOF, etc), or support the requirement. Don’t demand it and not support it—we’ve seen how that plays out with HSC-5’s experience. The video from the NHA flag panel a few years ago spells it out pretty well: “so are we in, or are we out?”
NHA Flag Officer Panel Q&A on HSC-84 & HSC-85
Oh, and I’m pretty sure the Boxer was happy to have HSC today, even if it wasn’t during a PG line:
https://www.businessinsider.in/uss-boxer-had-a-bizarre-and-dangerous-encounter-with-an-iranian-chopper-right-before-the-ship-destroyed-a-drone/articleshow/