The Monster COD thread (homage to the C-2A Greyhound)

[Flash]

Those guys are dead to me (if they wore the scarf).

Jealous that they fly these in their spare time?

 

[A4sForever]

My guess is the mid to late 80's.

Thanks, Bunk ... that was my guess, also, even though that time-frame was during the Ronnie Reagan 600-ship build-up.

I just didn't know why or when ... but, as with anything government ... it's gotta be $$$$$, no matter what.

ALOHA

 

[HAL Pilot]

One of my first P-3 COs did his disassociated tour as a COD pilot. He was assigned to the carrier specifically to be a COD pilot.

 

[bunk22]

Thanks, Bunk ... that was my guess, also, even though that time-frame was during the Ronnie Reagan 600-ship build-up.

I just didn't know why or when ... but, as with anything government ... it's gotta be $$$$$, no matter what.

ALOHA

My understanding from those in the know, is that the COD community was really screwed up once the Navy went to the squadron concept. It was made up of everyone, sometimes guys on their way out, those who got in trouble, etc. The CO was often a P-3, S-3 or helo pilot. At some point, the transition began to straighten things out, give the community more of a streamline with a warfare designator, allowing pilotsofficers in the community to make a career in that pipeline. Many pilots weren't that good at the boat but the COD's were day only. So a plan was hatched to start the night game. That would weed out weak boat players and start putting talent back into the community.......at least that was the thought process.

Supposedly started on the west coast with my old Skipper, CDR Asher. He took credit for the warfare designator, flying to the boat at night, brining back the SEAL ops, etc. Not sure how true that is, it being his idea that is. I do know he was a hard ass for a COD skipper. One of those types you didn't fuck with or he'd put his boot up your ass. Kind of like the C-12 pilot (won't give his name) who messed with him, was getting out in less than a year and ended up with 2 year orders to Diego Garcia. It was actually kind of funny because of how this dude thought he was untouchable by the front office. Another C-2 pilot never made AC.......I was there for that. Another, just made O-5, had his AC letter pulled after an FCLP ride with the CO.

Funny (maybe lame) sea story with that skipper. I checked in on a Friday and on Monday, had an area FAM with CDR Asher. Supposed to be a good deal flight, go out to El Centro, back over to the rock, the warning area, etc. So we do the NATOPS brief and then he starts asking me about the modified oscar pattern. Things we did in the sim but never the airplane. So we take off, go out to the MOA in El Centro, he makes me fly the modified oscar...never done it in the airplane, a few other manuevers, then takes me down to the pattern for multiple circus landings and flying the ball (no paddles). It was basically an intense NATOPS check. We go to his office for the debrief and he says, you'll do...goodbye. That was my intro to Asher. He later had me fly form from the right seat. I had two total form hops from the left seat and while holding overhead with another COD, made me fly form from the right seat, nice and tight......I even crossed under to come in for the break. He took it from there of course. Thats about all you're going to get for COD's, there's no dynamic flying. But driving that bus from the right seat is tough for guys with 1000 hours, let alone for nuggest with 350 hours, 100 in the COD. That was Asher

 

[A4sForever]

My understanding from those in the know, is that...... Many pilots weren't that good at the boat but the COD's were day only. So a plan was hatched to start the night game. That would weed out weak boat players and start putting talent back into the community...........

Thanks for the info; good historical stuff ... it's funny, though ... when I was experiencing, flying with, and waving COD pilots (again, Aviators assigned to ship's company flying C-1's and C-2's) ... they ALL did it at night and of course, in the day. NOBODY flew "only" in the daytime at the ship if you were an AirWing carrier pilot or a ship's COD pilot; it didn't matter what airframe you were strapped into ....

Also a funny thing ... even when we didn't have "dedicated" COD cadre pilots ... we never had a problem with the COD guys getting aboard @ night. I "counseled" more than one pilot from different squadrons about his performance ... but never a COD pilot.

Sounds like something happened late 70's-early 80's to adversely affect the short-term memory and/or day/night boat capability for the COD pilots .... it almost sounds institutional.

 

[bunk22]

Thanks for the info; good historical stuff ... it's funny, though ... when I was experiencing, flying with, and waving COD pilots (again, Aviators assigned to ship's company flying C-1's and C-2's) ... they ALL did it at night and of course, in the day. NOBODY flew "only" in the daytime at the ship if you were an AirWing carrier pilot or a ship's COD pilot; it didn't matter what airframe you were strapped into ....

Also a funny thing ... even when we didn't have "dedicated" COD cadre pilots ... we never had a problem with the COD guys getting aboard @ night. I "counseled" more than one pilot from different squadrons about his performance ... but never a COD pilot.

Sounds like something happened late 70's-early 80's to adversely affect the short-term memory and/or day/night boat capability for the COD pilots .... it almost sounds institutional.

Back in 00, I was the PAO at VRC-30 and gave a presentation/speech to an ANA luncheon. An article had just come out about the COD and they called down wanting a speaker. The audience was filled with real aviators, warriors, listening to me Anyway, I had mentioned the same thing above, we just started flying nights. So after my little speil, a bunch of old timers lined up to ask me questions, inluding the old Skipper of VRC-30 from 69-70 timeframe. He just wanted to correct me that COD guys had been night trapping at the boat for quite some time Like you say, at some point, it was stopped and made official, no COD flying at night around the boat. I think he said he had many night traps in the C-1 though it was prior to VRC-30........the squadron flew a bunch of aircraft at the time I think.

 

[HeyJoe]

My guess is the mid to late 80's.

Probably close. We had ship's company C-1 ("Miss America")for last time early in 84 aboard America, but had C-2s and US-3s flying aboard during IO cruise in 83, but not "belonging" to Air Wing at all. We deployed in 84 with no COD, but had them show up in theatre (C-2 and H-53E VOD). Sometimes, they'd stay aboard for a night or two, but mostly not.

 

[Schnugg]

Great COD picture...

From www.news.navy.mil :icon_smil

070826-N-2659P-065 SAN DIEGO (Aug. 26, 2007) - Flight deck personnel prepare to launch a C-2A Greyhound, from the "Providers" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30, from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) for the final time this deployment as the embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 departs the ship. Stennis and CVW-9 are returning to the United States after a 7.5-month deployment promoting peace, regional cooperation and stability and supporting the global war on terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Paul J. Perkins (RELEASED)

Downlaod hi-res here: http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/photos/070826-N-2659P-065.jpg

 

[Capt Morgan's]

When the wings are rotated forward do they automatically lock in place or does someone have to put a pin in to ensure they are forward and locked?

 

[Schnugg]

They articulated joint (fold at joints and pivot in more than one direction at the same time) rotates forward, swivels and locks into place when commanded by one of the two pilots to do so.

It's one of these levers........I think?

 

[d3l0n6]

My future office, thanks for the pics.

 

[kmac]

I hope that green shirt taking the picture in front of the nose got out of the way.

 

[bunk22]

My COD knowledge is fast fading but the wing lock lever is on the right side, next to the parking/emergency brake. The pic of the COD's on the flightline at North Island just brought back many memories. It was ans still is an ugly airplane. God love it

 

[phrogpilot73]

I hope that green shirt taking the picture in front of the nose got out of the way.

What, are they gonna shoot it with the wings folded?!? Something tells me that wouldn't turn out so good...

It was ans still is an ugly airplane. God love it

Go ugly early my man, go ugly early... Chicks dig Phrogs (and COD)

 

[MasterBates]

I am an expert in fat.. Just working on the ugly...

So who do I have to bribe to get to Det 5? :icon_smil