BUFDRVR - about new squadron structure

Probably one of those discussions that will never be resolved because missions
are so different..

Now put yourself on a fighter ramp in the middle of semi indian country whenthe
bad guys are constantly lobbing rockets, mortars, and small arms fire and
trying to get the bird up on cockpit alert at the end of the runway, with the
bird cocked on 3 min alert and tell me how great that same approach is.

In SEA, about all you needed was two good engines, operating flight controls,
and a weapons release system that worked, when push came to shove and the bad
guys were trying to come over the fence.

The problem was COMM 1 INOP
(mission esential). When I got to the bird, the Capt. Aircraft commander
told me to change it and get off the plane. I told him (with the ORI
evaluator standing behind him) "Sir, the problem might not be the RT, I
need to check it out first". A/C said "I can't, just change it and
leave". ORI evaluator said "Capt.... You are hereby grounded, please
exit the aircraft NOW." Then said to me "TSgt G..., you may now repair
the radio." The ORI evaluator was making a very strong point:
1. The maintenance tech is the expert on the system.
2. The expert on the system cannot test the radio with you in the seat.
3. The aircraft cannot perform alert duties without COMM 1.
4. Refusing to leave the seat when the expert requests you do so,
prevents the aircraft performing its Alert duties.

I was stunned when this happened, as I would have never intentionally
done something that would have resulted in such a dire consequence. BTW
the Capt. was requalified quickly (after the ORI). Still, I'm sure that
being grounded by an ORI evaluator doesn't look good on your permanent
record.

Speaking of AFM66-1. To me it is the best. A tech would often pull the
box, repair the box on the bench, then reinstall it. YOU were sure that
the box you pulled was bad. Fewer CNDs that way.

Those were the days eh?
KenG

(Smartace11) wrote:


In SEA, about all you needed was two good engines, operating flight controls,
and a weapons release system that worked, when push came to shove and the bad
guys were trying to come over the fence.


This is likely a different situation and requires a different
approach...I see nothing wrong with what the tech (nor the
evaluator) did at all. I congratulate the tech, he did what his
expert knowledge told him to.
--

-Gord.