Question for QP's
 

from what i have learned is that ODA's take CCT's/TACP's with them in order to deal with air. i know that you all can do it yourselves so im not trying to downplay that.

i know there have been teams who work with USMC ANGLICO units and was wondering how either force is picked to work with the team? is it all the matter of who is on hand in the AO or is it just a choice made at the company or battalion level

also does anyone notice any significant differences in these two groups

Notice a difference between Airforce and Marines? No way, they are both about the same!!!!!!
:p:D:rolleyes:

That's Cruel............. I have never driven a greyhound bus in my life. LOL

You will find that the capability of providing terminal guidance is not only practiced by the CCT/TACPs...nor are they required for all aspects of close air support. While the level of knowledge (airframe, ordnance, tactics, delivery techniques...etc...but hey,in the case of a TACP it's HIS full time job) may be greater it is not beyond the capability of others to perform this task.

The Air Force provides a service by meeting a requirement and manning the positions, if they roll with the team it is because they are the guy that the AF chose.

Yeah I couldn't resist. I will say that the times I've worked with Anglico were out of convenience as well as being nice. When we worked with those guys it was a package deal, and we were always willing to have more guys watching our 6, so that we could do what we were there for. We shared similar backgrounds and had a great working relationship with each other.

AF guys are generally preplanned.

Thank you both for the answers to my questions. it was spot on thanks again.

In 1968, John Cheney (SFC) and I received a pilot recovery mission near the Cambodian border. We took 20 Cambodes and two Navy Officers. The downed pilot's wingman and a ANGLICO officer (both Lieutenants).

The ANGLICO officer took exception(at first) that he would be under the command of an Army SFC and a SSG but after Bob Lunday (Major) explained the concept of "ground commander", he accepted it.

We spent several hours blowing portions of the plane off trying to get to the cock pit and about 1500 hours, we were alerted that a Flying Crane was enroute to hook the plane and bring it to Cu Chi. As the Flying Crane arrived, we started taking mortar fire. The Flying Crane was aborted and Cheney and I went back to using our C-4 and Det Cord on the inverted jet. The enemy mortars kept coming in, but no one was hit.

Eventually the ANGLICO officer called for Naval Gunfire from a Battle Ship and when it came in, all enemy indirect fire ceased. We still received occasional small arms fire.

Just before dark, the downed pilot came in and declared that he had been watching our efforts all day but because of the Cambodes in tiger striped fatigues, he thought that we might be NVA. The naval gunfire convinced him that we must be friendlies, so he came in.

The three Naval Officers all received the Combat Action Ribbon for their participation in this mission. The Navy sent Cheney a recommendation for award of the Bronze Star Medal for the ANGLIC:rolleyes:O officer for calling Naval gunfire while we were engaged with a hostile force. The pilot of the Flying Crane received a DFC and the rest of his crew were awarded Air Medals.

Cheney and I got to keep our jobs.