Mike Weeks wrote:
Doug "Woody" and Erin Beal wrote:

On 2/3/06 9:24 AM, in article
.com, "Mike"
wrote:


http://www.washingtontimes.com/natio...4314-4356r.htm

New pilots
The Army long has relied on warrant officers to pilot attack and
transport helicopters. Now the Navy is going to give it a try. Navy
planes and helicopters are piloted by line officers who serve as
pilots. Other officers serve as naval flight officers . Under a pilot
program, the Navy is asking "hard-charging sailors" to apply to become
chief warrant officers and be among 30 selected for flight school, says
a message from the chief of naval operations. New warrant officers
must, on receiving their wings, sign up for at least eight years'
service. The Navy plans to keep fighter jets off limits for now, but
will open up four aircraft: two types of helicopters, a patrol plane
and the venerable EA-6B electronic jammer that targets enemy tracking
radars.

That quote by the Times is wrong. It should read E-6A/B (as in Tacamo). No
CV-based, fixed-wing aircraft are part of the program.

This program is PURELY a money-saver for the Navy. That's the only reason
it's around. Most enlisted folks I know aren't interested because jets
aren't on the table.


Isn't the E-6 Mercury a jet, based on the 707-320 model?


Yes, but when naval aviators say "jets" they mean "fast jets," not
converted airliners.


Is it possible the program would include the warrants being qualified
to fly the EA-6B of those squadrons which not not assigned to CVWs --
VAQ-133, -134, and -142?

I doubt it. The Navy wants to get out of the expeditionary EW squadron
business in a few years anyway.

--
Tom Schoene lid
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