Could someone please write something interesting on this topic? Anything. I'd really like to learn something. Just please don't write anything about flightsuits, hats, or ROTC, and try not to turn it into a pissing match. Or you could also write about how important the FE is...(just beginning to realize that myself) Not a Herk guy? Feel free to write something cool about your airframe.

Thanks! Just trying to swing General Discussion back towards intelligent commentary.

[ 14. September 2005, 18:26: Message edited by: Rocker ]

Herk only needs 60'x3000' to make a take-off (peacetime.) Even shorter during wartime.

Charted MFLMETO (uncorrected if mission dicates) for contingency ops.

What specifically would you like to talk about Rocker. You've got a good source of info here from myself, Linda, CH, and Baseops. For a general answer to your general question, we're big and slow so low-level and nogs are the keys. And our tactics are ever-changing with the whole Herk force converting to the "fighting two ship" outlined by the 3-3.

HD

[ 13. September 2005, 20:22: Message edited by: HerkDriver24 ]

130s are a real pain in the a** to refuel. Worse than hogs. I gotta admit though, the talon mission is EXTREMELY appealing

Cool about my airframe? You can fly for 6-9 hours, and get off the jet still pretty fresh, not smelling like the aircraft or with sweat stains everywhere. And you're not really starved for a good meal since our two fridges keep everything ice cold and our two ovens keep everything steaming hot. There are more things, but it's really not important.

Oh yeah, sitting down to pass gas is alot better than laying on your stomach

Originally posted by Xtndr50boom:

130s are a real pain in the a** to refuel. Worse than hogs.

Try taking the gas in a 130 bra.

Originally posted by craino21:

at least ya'll are fixed.

Since when? The Retricted models I've been flying lately sure don't seem fixed.

HD

Practicing 1 V 1's and 1 V 2's against fighters, at close range the Herk can turn inside any fighter, so its hard for them to get you... until you come out of the turn. Talking to a fighter guy one time, I asked him what he thought the best way to take out a Herk (flying at low-level) would be, and he said dropping a big friggin' bomb right in front of us!

I'm not getting into a P-ing contest w/ any fighter dudes about wether or not you'd be able to take out a Herk, obviously you could, but our standard [edited for content]. It would usually buy us at least another few minutes.

[ 14. September 2005, 14:15: Message edited by: HerkDriver24 ]

My old man has told me stories about being chased down (in a recce Herk) by a MiG 17 on a few occasions and some of the defensive tactics they'd have to use. Namely going from FL320 down to 500A "as fast as God or Lockheed would allow." Nose down, full power initially, spiral to point the heat makers away from anything seeking same and then hope like hell he either screws up his recovery towards the ground or doesn't have the gas to stay and go after you. Pretty crazy at times, that recce business.

if the C-130 in question has a Radar warning receiver and flares . . .

Some have one, some the other, some none, but the good ones have both.

The standard Defensive System for an E-model is at a minimum a Missle Warning System and chaff & flares. RWR gear is found on a lot, but not all. Newer H models have real kick-ass goodies like a DIRCM, but I'm not sure how standardized the DS of H1s and above are.

A lot of our tactics are classified, but even those that aren't are probably not best discussed on a public forum like this. Basically it's avoid the threat, stay in the dark, remain unpredictable, be quiet, keep your engines cold, and scan like a m********ker.

On any account. Herks rule

Not too sure on the validity of this story, but on studentpilot.net about five or so years ago someone posted about an "engagement" between a gunship and a viper.

It read something like the two were "playing around" after an exercise in an offshore MOA and eventually the gunship was able to bring its guns around on the F-16.

Again, could be your typical SPN B.S. but who knows, maybe someone in the know can comment on possibility of something like this happening.

Yeah, definitely uncomfortable. Seeing as how most herk dudes will actually get to use their defensive systems at some point in their career (and really EARN hostile fire pay), let's table this discussion for a secure environment. :rolleyes:

"Where are your troops and may I count them" or "where are your herks and how many of them have ____ installed?" Same thing.

Well don't hoist it without explaining why you think it's BS.

It was a Herk joke dude. T.O. states max ceiling is FL 340, but I have yet to met a soul who's taken a Herk that high. Herks don't like altitude.

In hindsight, I think the title "Herk Tactics" was not good because it gave the impression that I was looking for people to post all the tricks

I only had to delete some stuff that has no business on a public message board. Other than that it is a good thread, you just need to ask specific questions on what you want to know. Then we can give you specific answers.

With that said, fire away!

HD

Originally posted by AFUPTstud:

I hear we are the redheaded stepchild of the AF.

Try again...

Ever fly in a four ship, with two of them being British? They like to fly finger tip in the herc (or at least as close as they can get away with) (they make great wing men, they are always in position) and like to hang out down in the weeds, I am pretty sure that the snakes were taking cover when they came over. If you ever get the chance the Brits are a blast and the Brittish Army knows how to party!

I think the coolest thing about my T-38 is that, in a few years, I get to move on to something else.

I think the coolest thing about my plane is that, in 20 years when I retire, it will still be around.

There's nothing cool about my plane, except the occassional 5 yr old who think's our tip-tanks are bombs.

Originally posted by HerkDriver24:

T.O. states max ceiling is FL 340, but I have yet to met a soul who's taken a Herk that high. Herks don't like altitude.

HD

I've been to just above FL370. Our T.O. stated max altitude was 400, so we were bored one day in Australia and need flight hours for the Squadron and requested 400. ATC came back with, "Ummmm... OK, you're cleared to the moon if you want it." We barely made it to 370 and the oil pressure on #2 dropped to zero, so we nosed it over and it came back... weird. So HD, now you know people who've been higher, but you're right, Herks don't like that kind of altitude.

Cool thing about the flying F-16: flying upside down at least once every sortie.

Originally posted by C-21 Pilot:

There's nothing cool about my plane, except the occassional 5 yr old who think's our tip-tanks are bombs.

You mean they aren't? I guess you DO learn something new everyday....

Joking aside, I've heard that the C-21 is actually pretty fun to fly. I hear that it handles similar to a Tweet.

Riddler -

Our T.O. stated max altitude was 400

And which exact model of Herk were you flying? Which Herk has a max ceiling of 400? Did it have the afterburner mod on it?

oil pressure on #2 dropped to zero

Which oil pressure? There's more than one.

And IF your story were to be true, I never want to fly with you. Breaking max specified altitude just to tell a story.

HD

[ 16. September 2005, 00:42: Message edited by: HerkDriver24 ]

Changing gears, I've seen the look of terror on a cow's face from about two feet. The heifer never saw us coming. (Last line also heard morning after a wild night of bar-hopping.) Sure wish I had a picture of that cow.

EDIT: Was not in a Herk when buzzing the heifer.

[ 15. September 2005, 15:08: Message edited by: sleepy ]

I was up at FL410 (our max ceiling) in the T-1 once. We hardly ever get above FL280 due to RVSM in UPT but it was a jet pick up from Texas back to Columbus so we said "what the hell" and requested it from ATC. The only thing that I really noticed was the extreme cold (-72c) and how far the barber pole dropped.

........no close encounters with cows though......

[ 15. September 2005, 15:59: Message edited by: auburnaviator ]

Originally posted by Beaver:

Cool thing about the flying F-16: flying upside down at least once every sortie.

If you're inverted at the final approach fix...do you call "Gear up?"

Phlash...

It's actually an awesome platform....although, I'll admit, very easy to fly. I mean, not much to takeoff and landings. It does handle very much like a Tweet, can descend at over 17000 ft/min, ititial climb at over 8000 ft/min (not for long).

Being able to yank and pull a Lear overhead is probably our "coolest" maneuver...but, our new Low Altitude Tactical Departure is tits.

Our biggest kicker is the Gucci lifestyle and TDY rates. Nice...