Looking for gouge? Ask your Stupid Questions about Naval Aviation here (Part 1)

[phrogpilot73]

So what you're saying is that you have what we would call a turning backup? What if the aircraft that goes down has a key player flying? The only reason I ask is because for us, there's always a bump plan, and I'm assuming you guys have one as well. If the Assault Flight Lead's aircraft goes down and there's a turning backup, the AFL may land, and swap seats with the copilot of the turning backup. If the turning backup goes down, we would then fall back on the alternate AFL. From the way I read it - you guys would launch the turning backup, and take over from there. Do you just fall back on the alternate for the key billet?

 

[HeyJoe]

So what you're saying is that you have what we would call a turning backup? What if the aircraft that goes down has a key player flying? The only reason I ask is because for us, there's always a bump plan, and I'm assuming you guys have one as well. If the Assault Flight Lead's aircraft goes down and there's a turning backup, the AFL may land, and swap seats with the copilot of the turning backup. If the turning backup goes down, we would then fall back on the alternate AFL. From the way I read it - you guys would launch the turning backup, and take over from there. Do you just fall back on the alternate for the key billet?

Sounds like Rotary Wing has more flexibility to swap seats. Fixed wing doesn't once launch is underway (although COs have been known to kick Alert Crews out of seats when they know something is about to go down). That's why Skeds makes sure there is a spare crew qualled and briefed to fill into any hole.

We also had to be ready to swap roles in air. First day of Desert Storm, I had lead for package of 4 Tomcats and 2 Prowlers. Two of the Tomcats in same section dumped their INS platforms en route to Iraq so I swapped my wingman (who had a section lead qual) with the other section lead so each section had an operable INS (we had ASW-27C F/F Datalink so hurting jets could use their lead for updates via datalink).

 

[phrogpilot73]

Sounds like Rotary Wing has more flexibility to swap seats. Fixed wing doesn't once launch is underway (although COs have been known to kick Alert Crews out of seats when they know something is about to go down). That's why Skeds makes sure there is a spare crew qualled and briefed to fill into any hole.

We also had to be ready to swap roles in air. First day of Desert Storm, I had lead for package of 4 Tomcats and 2 Prowlers. Two of the Tomcats in same section dumped their INS platforms en route to Iraq so I swapped my wingman (who had a section lead qual) with the other section lead so each section had an operable INS (we had ASW-27C F/F Datalink so hurting jets could use their lead for updates via datalink).

OK, makes sense. I think our flexibility is born from the way our deck cycle works. When we're doing a big mission, we may cross deck the skids to the LPD - and they'll launch from there (we can spin all four of them because of the size of their rotor arc, whereas with Phrogs we can only spin two). The 53's will launch from the LHD/LHA first because they've got the most gas. Then they'll spot and launch the Phrogs. If it's a 6 plane launch, you're using all the spots - but you'll have the backup folded and in the bone, but manned. After the decks cleared, they may pull out the back up and unfold him and get him turning (if there's a need for a turning backup) or keep him boned to launch the jets. We also have less aircraft on board, which helps...

For us, it's tough to have enough people with the quals to plug and play. Most of the senior Capts will be Section Lead/Division lead, but you may only have 3-4 (or less) AFL's in the squadron. You may only have 1 or 2 AMC's in the squadron, hence the musical chairs...

 

[HeyJoe]

For us, it's tough to have enough people with the quals to plug and play. Most of the senior Capts will be Section Lead/Division lead, but you may only have 3-4 (or less) AFL's in the squadron. You may only have 1 or 2 AMC's in the squadron, hence the musical chairs...

Likewise...if you are a qualled strike lead and mission commander you were sitting in a lot of cockpits for goes and spares while JOs got to slumber (or stand duty). After awhile, Skeds gave up trying to balance sorties because spares kept launching.

 

[phrogpilot73]

Likewise...if you are a qualled strike lead and mission commander you were sitting in a lot of cockpits for goes and spares while JOs got to slumber (or stand duty). After awhile, Skeds gave up trying to balance sorties because spares kept launching.

So it sounds like really the only difference between rotary wing/fixed wing is that the helo bubbas have bigger weiners and prefer the ladies!

 

[schwarti]

Stupid question - I know when VR and R/ are used, but is it V/R or VR/? Seen it both ways, but I was wondering if it mattered.

 

[FSSF]

I have always seen it as

V/r,
LT Name

It doesn't always matter but you have to know your audience

 

[AJB37]

What is a CQ attrite? It came up in another thread and I didn't want to threadjack it.

 

[Achilles]

What is a CQ attrite? It came up in another thread and I didn't want to threadjack it.

I'm not in the program, but I believe it's a person who attrites from tailhook because they couldn't pass Carrier Qualifications.

 

[phrogpilot73]

I'm not in the program, but I believe it's a person who attrites from tailhook because they couldn't pass Carrier Qualifications.

You are correct.

R, is for Respectfully. Generally used for correspondence from senior to junior.
V/R, is for Very Respectfully. Generally used for correspondence from junior to senior.

 

[Flash]

R, is for Respectfully. Generally used for correspondence from senior to junior.

Or equal if you do not know them personally.

 

[Scoob]

Or equal if you do not know them personally.

or if you've got a senior in the cc:

I just stick with v/r, unless I'm tasking someone who works directly for me - which, right now, is nobody.

 

[phrogdriver]

I prefer to end my official e-mails with,"How the F do I get out of this chickenshit outfit, XXOO, Phrog" I figure if I keep writing that, someone will eventually oblige.:icon_wink

 

[schwarti]

Yeah, I know WHEN to use V/R vice R/ but wasn't sure where the slashes go. I'm not sure it matters, but that's why it's in the stupid questions thread!

 

[Gatordev]

Yeah, I know WHEN to use V/R vice R/ but wasn't sure where the slashes go. I'm not sure it matters, but that's why it's in the stupid questions thread!

Honestly, it doesn't really matter since it's really only used on email and "memos" on a notepad. Personally, I use "V/R," and "R,"