Locations and Types of Aircraft

[HrntorPrwlrRIO]

First post here: I've been reading a lot on this site for a while, and other sources as well. I've found conflicting info on what the USMC flies and the locations of squadrons.

1) Which Hornet models does the USMC fly? Obviously the D model. Any C models since they're single seat? Also, how many A & B's are still around and do we have any? Do we have, or will we get E & F's anytime soon?
2) Where are the USMC's Prowler's based? I have seen some places that say only Lejeune, and others say Whidbey Island.

Sorry if it seems these questions have been answered before, but I've found different answers for some and wanted to ask them directly.

"If life was fair Elvis would be alive and all the impersonators would be dead"

 

[Brett327]

First post here: I've been reading a lot on this site for a while, and other sources as well. I've found conflicting info on what the USMC flies and the locations of squadrons.

1) Which Hornet models does the USMC fly? Obviously the D model. Any C models since they're single seat? Also, how many A & B's are still around and do we have any? Do we have, or will we get E & F's anytime soon?
2) Where are the USMC's Prowler's based? I have seen some places that say only Lejeune, and others say Whidbey Island.

Sorry if it seems these questions have been answered before, but I've found different answers for some and wanted to ask them directly.

"If life was fair Elvis would be alive and all the impersonators would be dead"

The Marines do not and will not have any Supers (E/F). Their Prowlers are in Cherry Point, but they use the same RAG as the Navy which is in Whidbey, but none of the USMC controlled Prowlers are there.

Brett

 

[McNamara]

Hell, even the Navy still has As and Bs. I see them every day here in Ft Worth, although most of the fleet squadrons will have the newer models. A good rule of thumb is that Marine squadrons (there is one Marine reserve Hornet squadron here as well) will have aircraft that are at least as old if not older than Navy aircraft.

As Brett said, the Corps will not buy Es or Fs, but will instead get a healthy dose of the STOVL version of the F-35 when it comes into production. Ideally they will replace and/or supplant the Harrier in the long run.

One more thing, the Marines seem to have alot more two-seater Hornets than the Navy (which mostly keeps the B/D models in the RAGs). I think it's a good idea - spread the workload between two people.

 

[HrntorPrwlrRIO]

"Their Prowlers are in Cherry Point, but they use the same RAG as the Navy which is in Whidbey, but none of the USMC controlled Prowlers are there."

First, is the RAG the same as the Fleet Replacement Squadron? Maybe this is a difference in Navy and Marine terms.

If so, is this the only FRS for Prowlers? Meaning that if you get Prowler's in the USMC, after flight school you will go to the FRS at Whidbey until you get on with your squadron (which would be in NC)?

 

[Fly Navy]

First, is the RAG the same as the Fleet Replacement Squadron? Maybe this is a difference in Navy and Marine terms.

RAG = Replacement Air Group = the old school term, when there were Air Groups instead of Air Wings. FRS = Fleet Replacement Squadron = current term. I've been around so many people that say RAG, that is what I call it, even if FRS is technically correct.

 

[Punk]

"Their Prowlers are in Cherry Point, but they use the same RAG as the Navy which is in Whidbey, but none of the USMC controlled Prowlers are there."

First, is the RAG the same as the Fleet Replacement Squadron? Maybe this is a difference in Navy and Marine terms.

If so, is this the only FRS for Prowlers? Meaning that if you get Prowler's in the USMC, after flight school you will go to the FRS at Whidbey until you get on with your squadron (which would be in NC)?

Like Fly Navy said, RAG is the old term, FRS is the new term.

Yes, Whidbey is the only Prowler FRS. Navy, Marines, AF all train up here. Once the Marines graduate the FRS, they leave for the 4 Prowler squadrons down in Cherry Point. The Navy and AF guys stay here and ski. (except for 136 in Atsugi).

 

[Brett327]

Like Fly Navy said, RAG is the old term, FRS is the new term.

Yes, Whidbey is the only Prowler FRS. Navy, Marines, AF all train up here. Once the Marines graduate the FRS, they leave for the 4 Prowler squadrons down in Cherry Point. The Navy and AF guys stay here and ski. (except for 136 in Atsugi).

I understand Baker is open already w/ over 100 inches. I'll be up over thanksgiving to check that sh!t out. Make nice w/ RIF at the RAG and we'll take you along. You any good?

Brett

 

[Jedj]

The marines do have the Charlie, we have a squadron in our airwing that flies them and deployed with us, they obviously also fly the D. My perception is that they are going to wait on the JSF and not get the Rhino, unfortunately for them.

 

[hendogg311]

USMC will not get Growlers anytime soon

I saw in the new outlook on Naval aviation that USMC has not made a decision on replacing their 20 EA-6B's. They will operate them until 2015. After that who knows.

 

[Brett327]

I saw in the new outlook on Naval aviation that USMC has not made a decision on replacing their 20 EA-6B's. They will operate them until 2015. After that who knows.

They probably will (and should) get out of the EA business. They no longer really control their Prowlers anyway and they get included in the expeditionary rotation with the Navy squadrons. It probably makes sense for them to give up their organic EA capes and the Navy will be able to focus on that and support operations as necessary.

Brett

 

[Punk]

I understand Baker is open already w/ over 100 inches. I'll be up over thanksgiving to check that sh!t out. Make nice w/ RIF at the RAG and we'll take you along. You any good?

Brett

Yeah, its absolutely crazy. They expect another foot Friday night which will be perfect since I'll be up there bright and early on Saturday.

And yeah, I'm pretty good.

 

[phrogpilot73]

They probably will (and should) get out of the EA business. They no longer really control their Prowlers anyway and they get included in the expeditionary rotation with the Navy squadrons. It probably makes sense for them to give up their organic EA capes and the Navy will be able to focus on that and support operations as necessary.

Brett

We technically "loan" them to the rotation... They're still considered (at all levels of the chain of command) as a MAGTF asset. If we need them, we'll pull them...

And don't forget the following, incredibly important piece of information (if you're asking about platforms and locations). The CH-46E RAG is in California, there are 4 squadrons located on the east coast (two have stood down), two in Okinawa, and 6 in California. Just in case you were curious

 

[Brett327]

Yeah, its absolutely crazy. They expect another foot Friday night which will be perfect since I'll be up there bright and early on Saturday.

And yeah, I'm pretty good.

I guess they're making up for a crappy last year. I'm jealous! The closest skiing here is 3 hours away for a couple feet of man-made snow in what amounts to the desert.

Brett