Question on FAC

[a3wysock]

As a NFO when are you eligible to be a Forward Air Controller (FAC)? Is it a MOS that can be chosen right out of TBS?

 

[Fly Navy]

FAC or FAC(A)? Harrier Dude answered one part, I'll answer the other... yes NFOs can qualify as FAC(A).

 

[Fly Navy]

Have the Marines adopted the term JTAC yet? Unless it's a FAC(A), we just use JTAC. It's easier.

 

[Fly Navy]

Negative. Because, a FAC is an aviator assigned to a battalion (i.e. year of purgatory), and a JTAC is a ground officer who is "qualified". Two sepearate MOS's as well. I've seen good JTACs, and I've seen bad JTACs. However, it's easy to identify between FACs and JTACs. If it's something like Winger 34 - JTAC. Stinky, Skull, Lance, etc... all FACs.

Gotcha. I can't remember if Navy FACs are called JTAC or not (for the aviators). I worked with some Navy FACs a couple months ago, couldn't remember what we called them.

 

[Blackout]

JTAC simply means Joint Terminal Air Controller. It is a joint qualification, recognized among all the different services, which means you are NATO qualified as a ground guy to control aircraft in the terminal area of close air support. For Navy guys, becoming a JTAC is simply a check in the box on the way to becoming a FAC(A). All FAC(A)s have the JTAC qual. But not all JTACs are FAC(A)s. Now whether they are current in the JTAC qual or not, is a completely different story.

 

[Fly Navy]

Oh I know what JTAC means, I just couldn't remember if Navy JTACs are still called FACs like the Marines use it.

 

[nittany03]

If it's something like Winger 34 - JTAC. Stinky, Skull, Lance, etc... all FACs.

Marine FACs go by personal C/S?

 

[usmc96]

From my understanding for Marine rifle Bns,

FAC = Pilot on the ground with the companies or working with the BN Fire support team as the Air Officer (doesn't matter if it is a Pilot or NFO)

FAC (A) = FAC trained pilot in the aircraft Most of the time I used FAC(A) was with a cobra but I suppose F-18 can do it as well.

I have heard also that JTACs can be SNCOs as well usually Arty FOs. This is to supplement the Company's FST teams because there usually only two FACs and an Air officer in the Bn leaving one Company and possibly a maneuver CAAT element without FAC support.

 

[usmc96]

AV-8 Used to spot with the Lighting pod but I'm not sure if this was the same as FAC-A. They were still talking to the Primary controller on the ground. The IR light from the Lightning pod looked like Gods Disco Party under NVGs.

Has been a bit and I am rusty but there were many times when we were out on patrol and I talked to aircraft without a FAC Usually it was the Specter Gunship. (But there was always Coordination from the Air officer at Bn CP)

With that said there was a certain Call sign (might have changed) that you tell the pilots that informs them that you are not a FAC. With that said the Pilot just steps back and goes through the steps of the Nine line - kindergarten style. Most props to the patience and attention to detail of the Marine and Air force pilots who are working with a very busy FiST team leader, Platoon cdr or squad leader on the ground to get bombs on target.

 

[usmc96]

We worked extensivly with Air force f-16s because Marine/Navy fix wing was not yet established in the AO.

We had no problems with our FACs pushing the birds to ground commanders with better eyes on. From my perspective air force was very user friendly. When it got tight the F16's were always willing to drop everything on their wings.
There was a time were ROE s were very strict but the Sh*t hit the fan and there was a lack of ROEs to compensate. When things first started to get hairy it was the wild west. We had Cpls controlling air for squad outposts. The reins were yanked a little tighter as time moved on.

Long story Short, Give it up to our Air -o and FACs because they were working their tails off. Takes a lot of stuff to give up teh bird to live the life of a grunt for a tour. I'm sure it puts things into perspective.

The FAC is always the best to have when engaged, because a 500 lb bomb always shuts the enmy up for a bit. However when you are sitting in a HUMVEE at a post with a FAC you cant tell the diference between him and your salty LCpls.

 

[a3wysock]

Thank you all very much

 

[Fly Navy]

FAC (A) = FAC trained pilot in the aircraft Most of the time I used FAC(A) was with a cobra but I suppose F-18 can do it as well.

They sure can. My F-18F squadron are the only FAC(A)'s in the airwing.

 

[skidkid]

From my understanding for Marine rifle Bns,

FAC = Pilot on the ground with the companies or working with the BN Fire support team as the Air Officer (doesn't matter if it is a Pilot or NFO)

FAC (A) = FAC trained pilot in the aircraft Most of the time I used FAC(A) was with a cobra but I suppose F-18 can do it as well.

Not entirely true a trained FAC in an aircraft is just that, he is not able to perform the FAC(A) mission until he has that Qualification. If a qualified FAC(A) shows up at an Infanrty Battalion he must still attend TACP school to be qualified as a FAC. A guy wiht one will have an easier time gettingthe other but they are still Apples and Oranges.

 

[jgl1974]

Sorry to jump in here with a somewhat different question,however I suppose its somewhat related. I was scanning through "Hammer from Above" on Marine air in Iraq and he mentioned the DASC(A). I assume that was the DASC set up in a helo,is this correct? What a/c would it have been on and who would have staffed the DASC(A)?

 

[skidkid]

TAC(A)-(somewhat a misnomer) is a F-18D job, they basically troubleshoot the MACCS system as necessary and sometime have better comm and SA than the guys on the ground, they are mostly limited by gas.