The USCG would have been much better served with the C27J over the Casa. I am not completely familiar with the acquisition process, but from what I heard there were many promises made about the capes and lims of the Casa that it has failed to deliver on. I know there would be many happy people if the USCG went and resurrected the C27J and sold off the 144's. JMHO.

 

A big +1 for the political side...However, what really irks me though is the fact that the airframes are essentially BRAND NEW. What "cost savings" is there in retiring new aircraft? It's just a crock of "Big Blue" B.S. What threat to "Big Blue" did the C-27J program present...none. End result, perfectly good aircraft getting retired and the Army Guard units who were supposed to get this aircraft taking it in the shorts.

 

An article from Oct '09:

chair1009

 

A really good read. It makes you wonder if "Big Blue" really had solid plans for this aircraft or just got involved with a program with the intention to kill it.

 

BBUUUUGGGGG! After all the conversations we've had, you know better than to strike a match on this powder keg. Edited my response. Went on a rant about blah blah, mission sensor pallet, blah blah, electrical system, blah blah, anti-ice/de-ice, blah-blah, cockpit ergonomics, spare parts, dispatch rate, $39 mil per copy, blah OT&E not complete, blah blah deepwater debacle = 144 program too big to fail blah.

Hey man, was this the guy you were talking about?

EADS North America - Vice Admiral (Ret.) Terry Cross named as EADS North America’s Director of Homeland Security Programs

http://www.uscg.mil/history/people/CrossTerryMbio.pdf

 

I figured that would bring you out of the shadows just like this thread finally got me to sign up and quit lurking. I was not implying anyone in particular, just referencing people I knew who went through TPS and had some knowledge of the 144 program. Ultimately we will make the aircraft work, but I know how you and most everyone who flies it feels. It is wishful thinking to think that the CG would move on the C27J. The AF is also parking a bunch of H2's and H3 Hercs that are newer and could have a nice home in the CG. I am sure current budgets preclude any of this from happening though.

 

This is what it's all about, fellas.

 

It would be nice if the CG jumped on the C27 airframes, but I agree, it's probably not going to happen at this point. The cost of training and support for two medium MRS airframes would probably be too much for a service this size. Still can't believe they went for the 144 over the C27.

 

Interesting how CG CASA and AF C-27 folks share a similar sentiment about the political processes which have influenced acquisition of both aircraft.

Sorry, it was someone else who pointed out that the Vice Commandant during the period EADS was awarded the CASA contract was hired by EADS into a position tailor made for him after retiring and not taking a two year grace period.

"Cross was the Coast Guard’s Vice Commandant from 2004 to 2006, with oversight responsibility for the development and implementation of strategic plans and budget priorities. He also served as the Agency Acquisition Executive and had requirements decision authority for major Coast Guard acquisitions requirements, including aircraft, boats, ships, technology systems and facilities. "

No big deal, just because it looks and smells fishy doesn't mean it is. His career path has further degraded morale of us folks flying the CASA, but in the end the crews will make it work. For the non-CG folks reading this, our enlisted aircrew are also our maintainers (aka fixers/flyers). They bore the true brunt of this platform transition and my hat goes off to them.

 

Army Hopes to Hold on to C-27Js: Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno said he hopes that the Defense Department will retain the C-27J Spartan transports it's already acquired, even though the Air Force last month announced plans to divest the entire Spartan fleet. For now, Odierno said the few C-27s that are already in use in Afghanistan will remain there until officials decide what to do with the fleet. "Here is our problem. We have [C-23] Sherpas, which are old and no longer effective," Odierno told defense reporters in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. "What I don't want to have to do is modernize the Sherpas. I'd like to keep the C-27s we've already purchased. But we haven't purchased that many. That's another problem." The Air Force has already procured 21 of the 38 C-27s it had intended to acquire for the Air National Guard. The plan had been for the Air Guard to use the tiny airlifters to provide direct support to Army units. Instead, the Air Force now intends to attach C-130s to Army units down range to provide that type of support,*said Odierno. (See also Spartan Beginnings from Air Force Magazine's 2011 archive.)