WT Forums

What were/are some of the common loads for a CSAR mission during these two operations?

During my stint of OEF (JUL thru NOV 03) we didn't have a CSAR load out. Our config stayed pretty much the same unless we had planned to support a spcific ground mission. We carried 2x Mavs (Stas 3&9 - 1 IR and 1 EO), 7x WP (Sta 2), 2x Mk-82 (Stas 4&8 or 5&7 depending on the aircraft, and planned mission - Note: Both jets in a 2-ship carried different fusings, one jet would have impact fuses, the other proximity), and at night a SUU-25 pod on Sta 2. Always HEI 30 MM. On a few occassions, we loaded HE rockets on 2, and 4x Mk-82s for specific missions. I have heard that when D-M relived us that year, they started employing GBU-12s, which obviously meant a different config for them.

Our config was pretty much considered an all purpose config, and we kept the loadout small because we had two jets on alert, we normally had at least 2 spares ready to go, which could have been put on alert or just launched quickly, plus whoever else had the next tasking was normally in range the first and last part of our \"on station\" times.

--Raven

The first time I was in Bagram (summer 2002), it was a similar, but not identical.

Sta 5 and 7 - Mk82
Sta 9 - IR mav (uploaded at sundown, downloaded at sunrise)
Sta 10 - IR Rockets (uploaded at sunset, downloaded at sunrise)
Sta 10 - WP Rockets (uploaded at sunrise, downloaded at sunset)
Sta 2 - HE Rockets

And we only flew with I think 10,000 lbs of gas. It wasn't a full load, but I'm not positive on what we did put on. Lil Hitler can correct me if I'm wrong on any of that.

This past deployment (Jan-May 06) It changed a few times. We started out with LGB's on 5 and 7, after a few months it changed to 1 LGB, 1 Mk82. Rockets on 2 and 10 and a FACE pod on 11. Sta 3 had a SUU-25 pod, and on 9 was a targeting pod.

ALQ-184, 2 x AIM-9's, 7 WP rockets, 7 IR rockets, 2 x Mavs on station 3, Litening II, 2 laser guided Mk 82's, 2 x CBU-97's. I would post the pics, but I got my fanny ripped for putting them up here a while back and I had to take them down.

_________________
YGBSM !

Is this true? It sounds a little sketchy to me. Are you using LAU-88's on Sta 3 to fit 2 mavs on? Do you really use CBU-97? I know we are capable, but didn't think anyone actually used it. I especially don't think you would carry them with two Mk-82's. Osan is still very old-school in its technology, so maybe other units have progressed to new configs. If that's true, I'd be interested to hear more.

That's a new one to me as well...would love to see the pics! I can provide my .mil addy if needed. Which AOR is this? I know there is no need for teh AIM-9s in OEF, would seem to be a waste.

--Raven

yes and yes

_________________
YGBSM !

2003-2004 in Bagram we flew:

2x MK 82, 1x AGM-65, 1x Litening II pod, 7x WP, 1x Luu 2 pod or 7x IR Rockets

I don't think DM flew GBU's until this last deployment. I think AK did when they relieved us.

_________________
3 Branches down... 2 to go!
Put on your tinfoil hats, the black choppers are coming, and I'm calling them in.
Former DCC OA-10A T/N 80-278

Billy thats the load out picture you sent me wasn't it?

Fender, those are different then our time.

Goose

Yeah those are some of them. Didnt I sign the LGB with your name or was that a Mav ?

_________________
YGBSM !

Thats the pic I have on the wall with the Flag and you signed the Mav for me but next to it I have the LGB photo.
I didnt see anything in the photo's that I havent seen on the USAF's own site.

I must of missed that one, or dont remember, Short term memory is SHOT , but at the same time while the brain works on its self I can remember crap I forgot years ago. Physical Therapy helps alot too

But back, We didnt have a so called \"FAC\" mission in our day, that was the 23rd TASS mission and their jets carried the WP rockets, I never saw any loaded on our jets during the War, we trained with them but didnt use them in action.

But then again they at first wanted to Add the weight and never use the GAU on the \"OA-10A FAC version \" of the jet.

Fender or Carl, you ever see a 23rd NF bird with anything but Rockets on it?

Goose

Goose that was our standard Load-Mission in the 23rdTASS/602nd TACW During the short time we shared KKMC with ya.
We lost 76-0543 "Nail 53" LtCol. Jeff Fox became a POW. He was a Great mentor and Close Friend.

_________________
\"A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week. \"

George S. Patton

I remember Nail FAC loosing a jet, but didnt know what happened to the pilot.Around the same time ,Mack lost his Jet 80-0248 with Capt Storr.
Those were some days until we knew they were still alive.



Goose

Thanks guys.

A quick FYI for you Goose & Thug,

Now LtCol Storr is part of the Washington ANG stationed here at Fairchild. I saw him in the base paper after he talked about his punch out to the SERE school.

_________________
3 Branches down... 2 to go!
Put on your tinfoil hats, the black choppers are coming, and I'm calling them in.
Former DCC OA-10A T/N 80-278

Bare in mind Dice, Despite the Mission. Any "Sandy" or "FAC(A)" Qualified pilot could take over a mission and be flying a differnt Load. Examples would be a "GUARD Emergency" TAC Center Inflight Mission Change, Support etc. With TACW being absorbed into ACC, It allowed other General Mission Squadrons to take over the Prime FAC-SANDY Focus of the TASS Squadrons. The focus now is in the Electronics and the pilots tasked with the mission. This is why you have other aircraft types flying this mission.

Where in the Past WP Smoke was a prime dynamic method to get Eyeballs on a Target, Now we have other means digitally to hand over coordinates and to offset further out of a Target area. ( You have a Video of this) I could talk more about it offsite.

_________________
\"A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week. \"

George S. Patton

Jake,

He was a good pilot in the 76th, it took them 2 days to tell us that he was alive ,it was only until we were at his \"Memorial\" service (His DCC Sgt Ard was one of that made up the \"CELL BLOCK\" or Charlie revetment ) when Col Swayer told us at the end that he was \"ALIVE\" . It ws great news BUT Jimmy (Ard) was PO'ED having to go those days thinking he was dead.
Smallwoods book \"Warthog\" theres a Great picture of Jimmy with Lt Col Storr in front of their A-10.

Ever see him Jake , tell him \"Goose and Mack from the Vanguards\" says Hi\"

Goose

He might just get an E-mail in the next couple days with that message and a link to the forums.

_________________
3 Branches down... 2 to go!
Put on your tinfoil hats, the black choppers are coming, and I'm calling them in.
Former DCC OA-10A T/N 80-278