mc130fe

Maybe this is the "True Secret Squirrel" we’ve been hearing about all these years…good find.

You are correct...I get to look that F-er if the eyes as I put a "warhead on a forehead".

Dan, the Marines have taken a different approach than the AF has. The remission of the MC-130 and new AC-J will have something different missile and gun wise. I'm sure you read about it on the internet. Yes I know Pred's can deliver Hellfires, I'm at school learning to fly them as I type...see what getting promoted will do. After being a FE for 21+ years, it's a mind shift. GG

Dan, I know where your hear is (and believe me I flew the same mission for 10+ yrs), but for the AF SOCCOM has made the decision that an overwatch/strike capability is important enough to go in the hole with HAR birds until the MC-130J comes on line. We aren't in the need of HAR as much as we are having the ability to put "warheads on foreheads" with our SOF members on the ground.

Roger I also pass my condolences to you and the entire family. Your father was always a bright spot in the ABQ area and always made it enjoyable to come back to refresher each year. You're all in our prayers, sorry I'll be unable to make it out there for the services. I'm in the middle of MQ-1B Sensor Operator training at Randolph. Damn I miss the herk. Gary Glover

It doesn't take a new acft or new model change to have friendly fire incidents. If I remember right, we have acft that are 40+ yrs old that have been doing the same mission the same time-frame having incidents.

One world "excellent"

Dave Sampson, AC-H Sensor Operator-retired a couple years ago. Not sure of the other individual, worked at HQ AFSOC I beleive. Very hard year so far

Shawn is the third SOF bubba to move on in the past couple months. Need to make it stopp for sure. Our prayers are with the Kovach family, gods speed Shawn

Dan...a little secret about making Chief. You get to go and become a Pred Sensor Operator. What the hell, Bobby.

Would love to talk about it, but have been sworn...

Excellent print that is looking good, what a sexy acft. Still missing some anttena's on bottom and top from SOF mod. Thanks Casey for all the hard work on theses.

Dan...I beleive when the HC's cut off the hump (scar-back) they receive a IDS...better than the MC-Ps. Should see what were getting.

Excellent prints Hey any way to get a print of a MC-130W before we mod all our acft to the new mission set? Let me know what you need pic-wise. Gary

Dan You have it pretty close to correct. The only change I'll throw in; just prior to the crash, the MH-47 cut the hose trying to get on the hose, so the crew was working that problem when the pilots noticed the ground coming up at them. As you stated, our crew had been out flying for almost 8 hours when retasked to accompany Dika 03 on their mission. We flew on their wing for almost three hours up and down the AR track, but had to RTB for fuel. Another crew replaced us and completed the mission with them. Funny how different crews see different things, #2 saw what was going on. Remember, they were 1/2 mile in trail with their own MH-47s on the hose, but were able to see the impending problem, and due to time/mission requirements didn't have the time to radio them to climb. The way everything was going down out in the AOR during this time, it was nothing to push the mission/flying envelope farther than had been in 40 years. Not like I haven’t seen 295 kts, 300 ft AGL, or 85 degrees bank. Everything after that was as stated by Dan.

Dan Please send me a copy of both, thanks. Gary

Dan You can count me in on this. Since you and I were out there when it all went down it is a total injustice for sure. I know there are many more that deserve the MOH, but we have to start somewhere. Dan, not sure if you remember or not, but Cunningham was also the first PJ on the scence when we planted a MC-130P in the mountains of A-Stan. Then was killed in the fire-fight for Roberts Ridge not a couple weeks later. Gary

Heard about the same type of event happened on an AC-130H out over the Gulf of Mexico when I was in training during the mid-90's. Something about two engines on the same side with a full rudder deflection also in the same direction. If remebering coerrectly, the EWO saw the dount on the bottom of his ADI, never flew again.

Dan, you're correct. Long gone is the time they were required to be completed. As you noted though, I still complete...had a nav one time want me to use the -1-1 prior to take off to give him a good fuel load for an 11 hour over water flight. I asked him what the nav fuel charts told him...his comment, what are you talking about. Told me he had never been shown the Big Brown Book of charts in the nav drawer. You can say I kept an EXCELLENT log that flight.

Damn Dan, didn't know retired life was that good.

Sal when he started at LM and I was at the 19 SOS. Godspeed to Sal's family our prayers are with you during this extremely hard time. Sal...#6 Gun-ready, IR, auto, clear to fire

And that they are pretty empty on fuel...look at the up-bending wings.

Sam...it is always with a heavy heart, but now he can be laid to rest with honors. We will pray for you and your family

Both vids are way cool, but the I think the C-130 was a fire-fighting C-130 beofre this guy picked it up. I know that's mean, but someone had to go there.

Also, my bad...gettting old I guess, correct 88-1303