A-10 FAC A single ship?

For those of you that may be in the "KNOW".

Can a FAC (A) plan and execute as a single ship?

I.E. Shows up on sta single ship. Employ other CAS assets to achieve the ground force commanders intent.

OR. Do FAC (A) ALWAYS plan and execute as at least a pair of ships?

This will help me with future mission planning.

Thanks for your time.

63

Like everything else, it depends.

Look into Misty Squadrons in Vietnam.

http://mistyvietnam.com/

other reading material.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dtic.mil%2Fdtic%2Ftr%2Ffulltext%2Fu2%2Fa508651.pdf

http://www.luke.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/3070/Article/358891/luke-trained-warriors-direct-fight-while-in-flight.aspx

JDc5NoQAD_A

Looks like a mix of A-10 and F-16 video.

Thanks for that.

My question from here on in is how he plans for mutual support or assess intel and stays where presumed safe until CAS coming station can be that mutual support.

Thanks for the supporting documents and RIFLE is my favorite callsign. That guy with great video editing is a BOSS!

63

Honestly, I do not know.

If you read information about Misty squadrons and compare to some of the new techniques used in part seven of the second video I posted you can see some of the differences.

Back then single aircraft with two pilots would fly at around 5000 feet and 500 knots, using a hand held camera and Mk1 eye ball to try to balance being able to see targets and stay away from AAA. Now it seems a pair of aircraft fly together at 15000 to 20000 feet using sensors like TGP and JHMCS to track and identify targets.

Link to Google doc

THE HISTORY OF THE AIRBORNE FORWARD AIR CONTROLLER IN VIETNAM

by

ANDREW R. WALTON, LCDR, USN

IIRC correctly from the book A10s over Kosovo (available online here: http://aupress.maxwell.af.mil/digital/pdf/book/b_0090_haave_haun_a10s_over_kosovo.pdf) OA-10 FAC(A) always flew in pairs with the lead aircraft beeing the FAC(A) and the wingman keeping an eye out for threats and supporting where necessary.

Typically a single ship where the threat environment permits as it allows the FAC(A) to be more able to manoeuvre especially at low level and reduces workload a bit (no wingman to manage). If there is a significant air threat or a surface threat that can't be avoided then yes a two-ship would be flown. However only the lead would necessarily be a qualified FAC(A).

Much of the mutual support for a FAC(A) comes from the strikers they are employing, which will be in close proximity and if the threat is high the FAC never need actually enter the WEZ of the threat(s) in question.

Another option is for two FAC(A)s to ingress together as a two ship and then split to cover their respective kill boxes etc. and then egress together. Which gives mutual support on those phases of the Flight.

Awesome Eddie that sums it up. Threat area dependant. Ill just get the commander to accept the risk in medium threat areas.

Thanks ALL

63