TBS 2-67 Cruisebook_Updated_7Jan23

Third Platoon
sive engagement tactics, the characteristics and maneuvering
capabilities of all Navy and Marine attack
aircraft (type, specific turning times at various speeds,
altitude limitations, types of ordnance onboard for
head-on or rear engagements, times aloft and fuel limitations,
air emergencies, etc. The job required use of a
large ground-based radar.
Later in Vietnam we had capabilities to team up with
Yankee Fleet by data-links to see North beyond our
radar ranges utilizing those on the carriers. Our radar
site's scopes were very sophisticated multi-function
products of Litton Industries (unlike WWII) not seen in
US civilian air traffic centers I visited for 20+ yrs later.
Our site was accompanied by an adjoining Hawk missile
battalion for our own defense. Our tasks included spotting
incoming enemy/unknown aircraft (called ‘bogies’),
being the extending ‘eyes’ for the pilot
scrambling out to an intercept beyond the aircraft’s
own radar, recognizing pilot symptoms and hazards of
oxygen deprivation, tactical remedies, and being
knowledgeable on effects of pressure losses, explosive
decompression, very hard turns and pilot vertigo. Our
equipment was all digital display, including friend and
foe speed, altitude, and heading data and with the ability
to ‘tie’ friend to foe or with designated routing mileposts.
Our MOS defensive purpose was to be a part of an extensive
air support team to put our air assets in special
airborne maneuvers to intercept, identify, and positioned
the pilot and his RIO (radar intercept officer) to
quickly be within a conical lethal range to lock in and
engage the enemy. Then the pilot would give a ‘tallyho’
to indicate he and the RIO were armed and taking over
the engagement. We remained quiet to follow the attacking
action/or dogfight, and if either were lost in
sun, overcast or darkness, to get back in the engagement
and assist the pilot to be reoriented to his ‘bogie’
and, be maneuvered quickly to recover his attack positioning
of specific ordnance for the kill. Further training
in hard-turn complex tactical maneuvers with the
attack aircraft took place while on assignment to SU#1,
C&E Bn, MCB, 29 Palms CA, Weapons Control Courses
for 5 wks.
Later, upon return to Camp Pendleton, I attended a
program at El Toro CA airbase to qualify for a ‘backseat
license’ in the F-4 Phantom (if that occasion should
ever arise, --it did not). The program included decompression
chamber exposure and training, oxygen deprivation,
types of ejection seats, use of various seat
and chute lines for survival tools/equipment, and be-
3‐40