The Gun Counter

First Shirt wrote:Heard from him a little while ago. He's been on leave this past week, which is why I hadn't heard from him earlier.

Please keep the family members in your prayers.

Thank Goodness! Willdo.

On Burkina: evidently US and French special forces are involved in suppressing the jihadis. Interesting photos at the Mail. Operators with suppressed rifles, helmet cameras and high-speed low-drag gear. Compare and contrast the French and US guys:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... -Faso.html

JAG2955 wrote: I spoke with him last night. It's a Marine helicopter squadron, HMH-463.

First Shirt, is that your son-in-law's squadron?

No, he's actually assigned to one of the MV-22 squadrons, but he seems to be the resident expert on Echos, so he's been getting loaned out a lot to the Echo squadrons, that's why I was worried.

Mike OTDP wrote:Amen. I don't think most people understand just how dangerous military aviation can be, even in training.

I also don't think that many people understand just how dangerous it is to get dropped into the ocean miles and miles from anywhere, even not considering an aircraft crash...

And even fewer understand how dangerous the sea can get with even small swells.

JAG2955 wrote:

Rumpshot wrote:What bird does Tcourtplayer fly?

He's a SH-60 pilot, NOT a Marine (hates 'em, actually), and is stationed in San Diego.

I'm safe, though I am praying for the two crews involved.

SAR efforts suspended as of Tuesday night. Please keep the families of the missing in your thoughts and prayers.

tcourtplayer wrote:

JAG2955 wrote:

Rumpshot wrote:What bird does Tcourtplayer fly?

He's a SH-60 pilot, NOT a Marine (hates 'em, actually), and is stationed in San Diego.

I'm safe, though I am praying for the two crews involved.

Thanks for breaking away from the wardroom movie marathon to check in.

Hey, can't take prep for Foc'sle Follies too lightly. Careers hang on a thread.

tcourtplayer wrote:

JAG2955 wrote:

Rumpshot wrote:What bird does Tcourtplayer fly?

He's a SH-60 pilot, NOT a Marine (hates 'em, actually), and is stationed in San Diego.

I'm safe, though I am praying for the two crews involved.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the SH-60 is configured for ASW and/or SAR, not as a troop carrier like the Army's UH-60, no? My understanding is the Navy's -hawks are used quite differently from the Army's.

Langenator wrote:

tcourtplayer wrote:

JAG2955 wrote: He's a SH-60 pilot, NOT a Marine (hates 'em, actually), and is stationed in San Diego.

I'm safe, though I am praying for the two crews involved.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the SH-60 is configured for ASW and/or SAR, not as a troop carrier like the Army's UH-60, no? My understanding is the Navy's -hawks are used quite differently from the Army's.

The Navy has two variants. One is basically a grey Blackhawk (the Siera) and the ASW version that I fly, the Romeo. Also the new ones are MH-60 (R/S designations reactively). The S is utility and "gun" platform while the R I fly is the ASW/SUW primarily used for strike group defense. Both have their crews trained in SAR because, well we are the Navy and need to.