Author Topic: Tribute to The Ground Crew  (Read 701 times)

Offline artik

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Tribute to The Ground Crew
« on: June 09, 2014, 08:13:45 AM »
In AH we can easily rearm and refuel our plane in 30 seconds. We change the configuration of the plane with few clicks in the hangar and fly again. We land a damaged plane and immediately get a new one.

Of course in the real life it takes more than 30 seconds to rearm and refuel the plane - but with a well trained ground crew a modern jets can be ready for takeoff withing an amazingly short time. You can't change the configuration with few clicks but in the real life can be very short (given the right crew). Good ground crews can return damaged or malfunctioning planes to the service amazingly fast. In the real world it frequently made a huge difference - how many sorties you can send to the air, how many planes you need.

Well trained ground crew can actually be force multiplier. An air force that can have fewer planes can partially compensate quantity limits with short turn around times and high sortie generation rate. There are many examples though the aviation history and IAF is one of them.

There are many books and movies about the aviation: many about the great pilots and great tactics, many about aircraft designers but very few talk about the man and woman (in IAF) on the ground that actually allow the pilots to "rearm in 30 seconds".

On a personal note: I served for 3 years in IAF as a mechanics of F-15 (it was more than 10 years ago), we worked hard every day and especially hard during around the clock training, I was like one of the guys on the photos below. I must admit, even myself, I was amazed what we were capable of doing in the real life situations.


Image Credit: xnir




Artik, 101 "Red" Squadron, Israel

Offline Bodhi

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Re: Tribute to The Ground Crew
« Reply #1 on: June 09, 2014, 11:05:14 PM »
Very cool Artik.  And very true.
I regret doing business with TD Computer Systems.

Offline Stampf

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Re: Tribute to The Ground Crew
« Reply #2 on: June 10, 2014, 11:25:04 AM »

 :aok

It is much bigger than just the man in the pit.





My son (BlkMaro) in game, is a Cpl. in the USMC, and a ground crew team leader.  He was just awarded the Navy Achievement Medal for his actions on the flight line this past winter.



Keep 'em Flying!

<S>

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- La Fabrica de Exitos -

Offline matt72078

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Re: Tribute to The Ground Crew
« Reply #3 on: June 11, 2014, 12:23:36 PM »
Been a Load Toad on three different aircraft.  16's, 15E's, and 22's.  Going from an empty aircraft to fully loaded takes awhile.  You need to check out the proper tools from the Support section, get a jammer from the AGE yard, call AMMO and tell them what munitions you need for what aircraft at what spot, then wait on AMMO cause all their drivers went to eat at the same time.  Once you have all your munitions and equipment in place then the fun part (loading) begins.  After your done loading you have aircraft forms to do.   Between waiting for Ammo, equipment breaking down, and weather you could be stuck working the same jet for hours.   Just remember that the next time you load that P-47 with all the bombs and rockets and bullets it can carry.
"Best in the wing, hat in the ring!"

Offline DaveBB

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Re: Tribute to The Ground Crew
« Reply #4 on: June 15, 2014, 11:28:46 AM »
Sounds like the Israelis have a much more efficient maintenance system than we (U.S.) do.
Currently ignoring Vraciu as he is a whoopeeed retard.

Offline artik

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Re: Tribute to The Ground Crew
« Reply #5 on: June 15, 2014, 12:54:35 PM »
Quote
Sounds like the Israelis have a much more efficient maintenance system than we (U.S.) do.

Can't tell never worked with US guys. Some of our guys who flew to Red Flag told that the US teams had much more "relaxed" style of work with much bigger teams and it seems like they would crack if they had to work like Israelis. However I can't tell how much of this is really true - because I assume it is in someway biased view.  ;)

On the other hand from what I know in comparison to US teams, Israeli technician are much more flexible and multipurpose - i.e. guys know lots of jobs that usually done by a separate teams in US. However as I told - it is about what I have heard I don't have primary sources about USAF/USN.

But in general IAF have always given an efficient maintenance as very high priority as it is a true force multiplier for a relatively small air force and things like "fast turnaround" is heavily trained and used at daily purpose. And it is quite amazing what a small well trained team can do.
Artik, 101 "Red" Squadron, Israel

Offline Rich46yo

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Re: Tribute to The Ground Crew
« Reply #6 on: June 15, 2014, 02:47:25 PM »
They wouldnt "crack" believe me.
"flying the aircraft of the Red Star"

Offline bozon

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Re: Tribute to The Ground Crew
« Reply #7 on: June 16, 2014, 05:36:34 AM »
They wouldnt "crack" believe me.
No. The Israelis would crack if they had to work under such strict regulations and discipline. I remember American forces in training in the Israeli south. We stood amazed how everything came out of neat boxes with nylon wrapping. They built an Apache like I build Ikea furniture. The troops always looked like they just bought the uniform and are wearing them for the first time. They had rules for everything and were keeping them religiously.
I forgot which Israeli general said: "War is chaos, and we are used to that".
Mosquito VI - twice the spitfire, four times the ENY.

Click!>> "So, you want to fly the wooden wonder" - <<click!
the almost incomplete and not entirely inaccurate guide to the AH Mosquito.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGOWswdzGQs