Originally Posted by
Grumble
Hadn't heard about that latest rumor. I know lots of Marines at many different locales flying the Rhino. You're right though, I can't think of a better platform to support the guys on the ground than a Lot 30+ Rhino with AESA, and Helmet in both seats. Slap their LITNING (however you spell it) on there, and with 6 hard points and 17K #'s of gas and you've got a phenominal platform. Now if they could just straighten out the pylons to support rockets.
It has been heresy for quite some time now to mention the Super Hornet with respect to Marine Aviation.
As it was said earlier in BDGERJMN's post and the article (Rumor) link, USMCHQ didn't like hearing about Marines flying the Super (in other than test squadrons) because the leadership had put all of its' eggs into the JSF program and it "looked" as if the Marines were waivering on that support if you found them everywhere flying Supers.
BDGERJMN can say for sure, but I thought that for quite sometime the Marine IPs weren't dual qual'ed on the east coast and only the MATSG IPs on the West Coast were dual qualed because they got so little flight time with the Legacy training squadron and the Super training squadron was hurting for pilot IPs at one point (but as I said - it was done on the fairly downlow side so as to not unduely ruffle feathers along the way)
Many people have said for quite some time now that they would lay down a dollar bet that the Marines would see the 'F' at some point with Marine markings on the side. Recent history (and the use during the last 9 years) have put unforeseen pressures on the rest of the Legacy fleet (especially the Missionized Deltas) and the pace of acqusition of the F-35B has not kept up (not that anyone on the line ever thought it would!)
As for the rocket problem Grumble - just a little skidding or slipping down the chute will get those rockets pointed in the right direction won't it
They are still an area weapon aren't they????
USMCFLYR