02 October, 2022 - Anti-Ship/Bad Wx Procedures Training
Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2022 8:33 am
The Black Aces completed their inter-deployment training cycle last night in preparation for their upcoming deployment to the Caucasus.
Eight squadron jets took off from Andersen AFB just before dark. Low clouds, rain and fog made for an unpleasant preflight, but all jets departed to the north in two flights of four aircraft and proceeded to the training range.
Each flight searched for and targeted a small convoy of three ships with AGM-84D Harpoon missiles. All pilots practiced Harpoon launces in both Bearing Only and Range-Bearing Launch modes. Multiple explosions were witnessed on the horizon through the gloomy weather and several of the convoy ships and escorts were sunk.
Dealer flights then proceeded to the Southeast towards USS GEORGE WASHINGTON to practice a Case III recovery in poor weather and pitching deck conditions. All squadron aircraft trapped aboard the Washington and refueled for the flight back to Guam. All of Dealer 1's aircraft successfully launched and headed back to Andersen, but the deck crew refused to launch two jets from Dealer 2 despite multiple pleas to the tower. Rumor has it that neither pilot had paid their final mess bill to the Wardroom Treasurer at the end of the last deployment, and the Captain refused to let them leave until their debt was settled.
Once all jets were safely airborne, the two flights returned to Guam and had to recover at Andersen AFB via TACAN approach due to low ceilings and visibility. Despite unexpectedly strong crosswinds, all jets landed without incident.
Dealer 1
1- Mr Bean: Ship hits, trapped, field landing
2- Rhino: Ship hits, trapped, field landing
3- Maniac: Ship hits, trapped, field landing
4- Chaos: Ship hits, trapped, field landing
Dealer 2
1- Trim: Ship hits, trapped, field landing
2- Hedgehog: Ship hits, trapped, field landing
3- Dirty Dan: Ship hits, trapped, field landing
4- Lion: Ship hits, trapped, field landing
Eight squadron jets took off from Andersen AFB just before dark. Low clouds, rain and fog made for an unpleasant preflight, but all jets departed to the north in two flights of four aircraft and proceeded to the training range.
Each flight searched for and targeted a small convoy of three ships with AGM-84D Harpoon missiles. All pilots practiced Harpoon launces in both Bearing Only and Range-Bearing Launch modes. Multiple explosions were witnessed on the horizon through the gloomy weather and several of the convoy ships and escorts were sunk.
Dealer flights then proceeded to the Southeast towards USS GEORGE WASHINGTON to practice a Case III recovery in poor weather and pitching deck conditions. All squadron aircraft trapped aboard the Washington and refueled for the flight back to Guam. All of Dealer 1's aircraft successfully launched and headed back to Andersen, but the deck crew refused to launch two jets from Dealer 2 despite multiple pleas to the tower. Rumor has it that neither pilot had paid their final mess bill to the Wardroom Treasurer at the end of the last deployment, and the Captain refused to let them leave until their debt was settled.
Once all jets were safely airborne, the two flights returned to Guam and had to recover at Andersen AFB via TACAN approach due to low ceilings and visibility. Despite unexpectedly strong crosswinds, all jets landed without incident.
Dealer 1
1- Mr Bean: Ship hits, trapped, field landing
2- Rhino: Ship hits, trapped, field landing
3- Maniac: Ship hits, trapped, field landing
4- Chaos: Ship hits, trapped, field landing
Dealer 2
1- Trim: Ship hits, trapped, field landing
2- Hedgehog: Ship hits, trapped, field landing
3- Dirty Dan: Ship hits, trapped, field landing
4- Lion: Ship hits, trapped, field landing