Deployment

[flyerstud4]

I've been away for awhile and still getting used to the new set up here. So if this topic has been discussed in the past, just point me in the right direction. Anyway, i was hoping i could get some experienced Marine aviators out there to tell me about deployments. I guess about frequency, length, and from different airframes i.e. Hornet vs Cobra. Thanks for the help.

 

[phrogpilot73]

I've been away for awhile and still getting used to the new set up here. So if this topic has been discussed in the past, just point me in the right direction. Anyway, i was hoping i could get some experienced Marine aviators out there to tell me about deployments. I guess about frequency, length, and from different airframes i.e. Hornet vs Cobra. Thanks for the help.

Holy crap, where do I start... Length is generally around 6 months long, although when you go to Iraq it's about 7. There may be something shorter that pops up, but slim chance that there's longer ones (although I have been on an 8 month float). Frequency? Well, that really depends. The USMC's goal is a 1:2 deployment to dwell ratio. i.e. if you're on deployment, you are home for 1 year. That frequency also depends on platform. For high demand, low density airfarmes such as the skids and the 53's they are getting closer and closer to a 1:1 ratio. The jets are actually staying pretty close to that 1:2 ratio (and they wonder why we essentially get a bigger bonus now) What's even worse, is that when you're home for that 6 months, you're doing workups for your next deployment. It sucks.

 

[invertedflyer]

I've been away for awhile and still getting used to the new set up here. So if this topic has been discussed in the past, just point me in the right direction. Anyway, i was hoping i could get some experienced Marine aviators out there to tell me about deployments. I guess about frequency, length, and from different airframes i.e. Hornet vs Cobra. Thanks for the help.

Check out Hammer From Above: Marine Air Combat Over Iraq by Jay A. Stout. Its about the best read on Marine Air out there and is devoted entirely to telling tales of the Air Wing's operations in Iraq.

 

[flyerstud4]

Thanks for the replys gents. Semper Fi

 

[Harrier Dude]

Check out Hammer From Above: Marine Air Combat Over Iraq by Jay A. Stout. Its about the best read on Marine Air out there and is devoted entirely to telling tales of the Air Wing's operations in Iraq.

I'm not sure that book would answer his question. That's all about OIF 1, which was just about as far away from a "normal" deployment as could be imagined.

As far as "normal" deployments go:

All helicopters and Harriers do MEU Deployments. Generally 6 months in duration. Probably 1 or two per 3 year tour per pilot.

Single seat Hornets either attach to CVWs and deploy (about the same schedule as MEUs) or go to Japan/Iraq as squadrons.

To seat Hornets don't go to the boat. They deploy as squadrons to Japan or Iraq for 6-7 months at a time.

Prowlers do the same thing.

Hercs do lots of small/short dets.

 

[Cavrone]

I was deployed twice with VMGR-352. First in support of the 11th MEU which lasted about four weeks in Jordan, then back to El Toro. The second was in support of the 13th MEU in Kenya and Kuwait with stops in Egypt and Italy for about a week each. It lasted about 3 months only because we were on standby for some mission that never came to fruition. Normal C-130 dets dont last that long at all. It may all be different now with the war in Iraq.

 

[Steve Wilkins]

I haven't seen or heard of anything normal since 9/11. I was getting underway the morning of 9/11 and the schedule since has been anything but normal.

 

[flyerstud4]

Awesome gents, thanks