Navy FACs?

[Gatordev]

As if VT-9 isn't undermanned enough already.

Just like every other training squadron right now.

 

[A4sForever]

Just like every other training squadron right now.

I assume you mean instructors and e-men .... the question: how come??? Aren't we "at war" and all that .... ???

 

[Gatordev]

And all the IPs are over there to help fight it.

I'm sure not "all" the squadrons have this problem, but I know many are scrounging for bodies just to keep up w/ the increased student throughput. And we won't get into details about the poor bastards down in the HTs. Who'd have guessed that lightweight aluminum and plexi couldn't stand up to hail.

 

[A4sForever]

And all the IPs are over there to help fight it. .....

That would tell me that we don't have NEARLY enough Naval Aviators, of all stripes, pedigrees, types, and communities. During Vietnam (yeah, I know ... who cares ???) we always had beaucoup instructors .... but then again, we were serious about fighting (participating in?) an AIR war. A naval air war to be specific .... and that took a lot of Aviators and crew .... on both ends of the Training pipeline.

 

[ChuckMK23]

That would tell me that we don't have NEARLY enough Naval Aviators, of all stripes, pedigrees, types, and communities. During Vietnam (yeah, I know ... who cares ???) we always had beaucoup instructors .... but then again, we were serious about fighting (participating in?) an AIR war. A naval air war to be specific .... and that took a lot of Aviators and crew .... on both ends of the Training pipeline.

I don't think Naval Aviation will ever again see the kind of heroes the Medium Attack and Combat SAR helo communities produced during Vietnam.

 

[HeyJoe]

I don't think Naval Aviation will ever again see the kind of heroes the Medium Attack and Combat SAR helo communities produced during Vietnam.

Lots of larger than life aviators form that era, but THIS GUY is in class all by himself:

The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to

LASSEN, CLYDE EVERETT

Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, Helicopter Support Squadron 7, Detachment 104, embarked in U.S.S. Preble (DLG-15). Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 19 June 1968. Entered service at: Jacksonville, Fla. Born: 14 March 1942, Fort Myers, Fla.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as pilot and aircraft commander of a search and rescue helicopter, attached to Helicopter Support Squadron 7, during operations against enemy forces in North Vietnam. Launched shortly after midnight to attempt the rescue of 2 downed aviators, Lt. (then Lt. (j.g.)) Lassen skillfully piloted his aircraft over unknown and hostile terrain to a steep, tree-covered hill on which the survivors had been located. Although enemy fire was being directed at the helicopter, he initially landed in a clear area near the base of the hill, but, due to the dense undergrowth, the survivors could not reach the helicopter. With the aid of flare illumination, Lt. Lassen successfully accomplished a hover between 2 trees at the survivors' position Illumination was abruptly lost as the last of the flares were expended, and the helicopter collided with a tree, commencing a sharp descent. Expertly righting his aircraft and maneuvering clear, Lt. Lassen remained in the area, determined to make another rescue attempt, and encouraged the downed aviators while awaiting resumption of flare illumination. After another unsuccessful, illuminated rescue attempt, and with his fuel dangerously low and his aircraft significantly damaged, he launched again and commenced another approach in the face of the continuing enemy opposition. When flare illumination was again lost, Lt. Lassen, fully aware of the dangers in clearly revealing his position to the enemy, turned on his landing lights and completed the landing. On this attempt, the survivors were able to make their way to the helicopter. En route to the coast he encountered and successfully evaded additional hostile antiaircraft fire and, with fuel for only 5 minutes of flight remaining, landed safely aboard U.S.S. Jouett (DLG-29) .​

Citation Courtesy of www.HomeOfHeroes.com

 

[A4sForever]

Yeah, Lassen ... he was something. I remember when the rescue happened --- it's one of those "times" that sticks in your memory. It was a really BIG deal, and deservedly so.

Post script: Clyde retired as a Commander and passed away much too early in 1994 from cancer. His widow, Linda, was a sponsor of the USS Lassen (DDG-82) when it was commissioned in 2001. Some of the most decorated guys I knew from the era were Helo drivers. A courageous bunch ....

 

[nittany03]

And all the IPs are over there to help fight it.

I'm sure not "all" the squadrons have this problem, but I know many are scrounging for bodies just to keep up w/ the increased student throughput.

Two TS classes (10-12 studs) were benched from October-January due to manning issues. Luckily mine was right in the middle of them and dodged that bullet.

And we won't get into details about the poor bastards down in the HTs. Who'd have guessed that lightweight aluminum and plexi couldn't stand up to hail.

Good gravy! Did that happen AGAIN? Or are they still recovering down there from the one in March?

 

[LSUMarine]

"Two TS classes (10-12 studs) were benched from October-January due to manning issues. Luckily mine was right in the middle of them and dodged that bullet."

Yeah, I wasn't so lucky. I was one of the about 15 that got put on hold. I completed Fam-8 on 12 Oct and then Fam-9 on 10 Jan. They gave us an EP/Fam sim once a week to keep our "heads in the game." Oh, and we were the squadron duty bitches. Oh well, basket leave was nice and I got to almost all the LSU games this season.

 

[USMMAMid03]

What about being a Navy FAC?

 

[Gatordev]

Good gravy! Did that happen AGAIN? Or are they still recovering down there from the one in March?

No, no...I'm just talking about what happened last March. Plus w/ the hurricanes it all adds up.