Disco_Nav/Prosuper - you all are part of the problem that Windshear speaks of. The Capt AC doesn't outrank the Major MCC - but he does have PIC responsibilities as he should...my/our lives depend directly on the ACs skills and decision-making. But the statement doesn't even need to be made - all of the MCCs and ACs I fly with understand their roles and WORK TOGETHER to get the mission accomplished. The best commander I have worked for in an AWACS sq is a pilot - because he got it and was involved in both the aviation and mission aspects. At least in PACAF, flight and mission crew dudes don't have to put each other down to make themselves feel better. Like Windshear mentioned, in PACAF WE get the mission done to benefit everyone, rank/crew position doesn't matter, most everyone is involved in aviation and mission aspects, and we all drink in the bar as much as possible. Hell, we have gotten most of the flight crew dudes to join in on Roll Calls and Callsign nights, which I consider a win. Sadly Tinker breeds a much different mindset that focuses less on execution and more on queep...they are actually considering taking FEs out of the flight crew flight so they can have better supervisory ops. UFB! And in my squadron, most ABMs attend flight crew specific briefs (hot/cold wx ops, flight crew specialized briefs, learning the basics of various programs, etc.) Hell, while I might be slower than shit, but I can file 1801s, interpret wx data, use CFPS to build a flight plan, calculate fuel numbers, etc. (Always get a flight crew dude to check my work though). When was the last time you sat through a surveillance specialized or weapons debrief, Disco?
