OK near as i can tell there are a lot of pilots, current or former, posting in here. Let me ask you something.
Does/did/do, the presense of air defense, specifically friendly, make you nervous? I have been told that we had that effect on pilots so I was wondering what you all got to say about it.
Hi Dana,
Happy Easter! [:)]
As you well know, the success of any type operation is dependant on the efficient, combined actions of primary and supporting units. With resources such as AWACS, IFF, and GPS technology, friendly shoot-downs are kept to a minimum. The Air Crews aren’t nervous because they depend on the ability of the Air Defense team… thus, the Air Defense teams aren’t nervous because they depend on the ability of the pilots and pilot’s resources.
When the precision falters on either side, tragedy results.
Take care,
Frank
But you also need to remember two things.
#1: Technology can falter. And when the technology fails, it is up to the AD team to visually ID the track. Many things can effect a visually ID. (ie range, speed, color) I will say the pilot does have to put a lot of faith in the training of the AD team.
#2: To err is human. Even a patriot battery, who would never have to visual ID, shot down a friendly during OIF. Not certain where the failure of system occurred but it happened. Once again, a lot of faith is put into the AD team.
I am personally not too worried about the aircrew misID of me. a good part of my job is to hide, which I do quite well.
Frank,
I’ve seen that photo of the ‘Caribou’ taking a 105 round through the aft fuselage. As I recall we always called for active or planned arty activity from point to point. We would get point of origin, impact grid, and max altitude information to plan our route. When approaching a firebase, we were required to request arty activity when we contacted the TOC for permission to land. Somebody screwed up big time on this one.
Most chopper crews in RVN weren’t worried about our AD people, it was the other guy’s AD that got our attention!
While on the subject of not paying attention; check out the three knuckleheads in the white T-shirts standing on top of the bunker. How many guys do you think are sittin’ in those hills just itchin’ to toss a couple of rounds at those dudes?