Time to talk about "Come To Jesus" moments within communities:
The Fighter Community It knew it was "fucked up beyond all recognition" (e.g., FUBAR) in the late-middle 1960's. Not their fault either..."Big Navy" had opted for "missiles instead of guns"...the big bombers were the threat....we'd never go "close-in air combat again"...no guns required...you get the idea. Brave and visionary souls (most of whom never promoted) told the CNO that that Navy was fucked up...here's what it will take to FIX it...if you really give a shit. Turned out that the CNO DID give a shit, and within two years, (following the instantiation of TOPGUN) the Navy's kill ratio turned from 2-1 to 13-1. One vignette. TOPGUN wasn't the only part of the solution...there was MUCH, MUCH else... But let's just say that the VF community went "all in" to fix their known deficiencies. Blood was shed...but it paid off. We got better...
TOPGUN influence included a LOT of "other folks"...CG (e.g., RED CROWN) controllers, E-2 controllers, etc. Anyone who "influenced" the A-A fight was welcomed... and included...and got better. "Top Dome" (the CAEWS Weapons School was/is a direct result....).. We ALL got better...
The Attack Community (for whom I have nothing but the highest respect) got their "wake up call" as a result of observed deficiencies in combat over Lebanon in 1983 and other driving forces, at which time the Naval Strike Warfare Center (NSWC)was established by direction of the Secretary of the Navy, John Lehman, in May 1984. The VA communities were NOT...IMHO...to blame. Shitty/criminal C2 and top-down direction were to blame. Too long a story to go into here. Every pilot and BN launched...some without ordnance...and not all came back alive. Part of our mutual legacy.... But we ALL got better...
The ASWCommunity Last shot fired in anger, so far as we "open press" folks can glean...was ...TA-DA!...I have no idea! WWII?
If that's your proud legacy and benchmark, how do you KNOW how you're doing? You may be great (in the sims...)..but you may be totally inept. But how do you KNOW?...and what do you folks DO to address perceived issues, if there are any? Is there a "Captain John Ault" within YOUR community who will make a difference?
Sorry for the rant. Again, "I don't know shit from Shinola about ASW". I hope to God some of you do....and are willing to go "all in" to make a difference.
The Fighter Community It knew it was "fucked up beyond all recognition" (e.g., FUBAR) in the late-middle 1960's. Not their fault either..."Big Navy" had opted for "missiles instead of guns"...the big bombers were the threat....we'd never go "close-in air combat again"...no guns required...you get the idea. Brave and visionary souls (most of whom never promoted) told the CNO that that Navy was fucked up...here's what it will take to FIX it...if you really give a shit. Turned out that the CNO DID give a shit, and within two years, (following the instantiation of TOPGUN) the Navy's kill ratio turned from 2-1 to 13-1. One vignette. TOPGUN wasn't the only part of the solution...there was MUCH, MUCH else... But let's just say that the VF community went "all in" to fix their known deficiencies. Blood was shed...but it paid off. We got better...
TOPGUN influence included a LOT of "other folks"...CG (e.g., RED CROWN) controllers, E-2 controllers, etc. Anyone who "influenced" the A-A fight was welcomed... and included...and got better. "Top Dome" (the CAEWS Weapons School was/is a direct result....).. We ALL got better...
The Attack Community (for whom I have nothing but the highest respect) got their "wake up call" as a result of observed deficiencies in combat over Lebanon in 1983 and other driving forces, at which time the Naval Strike Warfare Center (NSWC)was established by direction of the Secretary of the Navy, John Lehman, in May 1984. The VA communities were NOT...IMHO...to blame. Shitty/criminal C2 and top-down direction were to blame. Too long a story to go into here. Every pilot and BN launched...some without ordnance...and not all came back alive. Part of our mutual legacy.... But we ALL got better...
The ASWCommunity Last shot fired in anger, so far as we "open press" folks can glean...was ...TA-DA!...I have no idea! WWII?
If that's your proud legacy and benchmark, how do you KNOW how you're doing? You may be great (in the sims...)..but you may be totally inept. But how do you KNOW?...and what do you folks DO to address perceived issues, if there are any? Is there a "Captain John Ault" within YOUR community who will make a difference?
Sorry for the rant. Again, "I don't know shit from Shinola about ASW". I hope to God some of you do....and are willing to go "all in" to make a difference.
