A news story on WTOC News this evening identified the activity heard over and around Beaufort yesterday and today. It is a joint training exercise between the USMC and SC Army National Guard training for Iraq operations. The story and associated video can be found here.Activity from this morning and this afternoon consisted of HAWK 81 controlling entry and exit of airborne assets into the area. Once the assets checked in, they were put in holding until needed by the Convoys. Once HAWK 81 ascertained the needs of the convoy from their Forward Air Controller, he assigned a flight to the convoy. The F/A-18s would use targeting pods, ROVER (Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receiver) and the good old fashioned Mk. I eyeball to provide ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) for the convoys. They were also employing weaponry to defend the convoy and support it's mission. The F/A-18s were also acting as FAC-A for the AH-64s. Throughout the operations, HAWK 81 would also pass mission reports to command element KAISER.
258.900 - TAN, Check In and Command-Control
336.225 - NUDE, Tactical for CHARLIE 1
327.475 - GREEN, Tactical for CHARLIE 2
256.250 - TEAL, Tactical for CHARLIE 3
320.200 - VMFA-115 Tac 2, BLADE 2# air-to-air
283.400 - VMFA-122 Tac 1, NIKEL 3# air-to-air
269.700 - VMFA-122 Tac 3, NIKEL 3# air-to-air
301.950 - VMFA-312 Tac 1, CHECK 6# air-to-air
299.300 - VMFA(AW)-533 Tac 2, HAWK 8# air-to-air
HAWK 8# - F/A-18D, VMFA(AW)-533
BLADE 2# - F/A-18A+, VMFA-115
NIKEL 3# - F/A-18C, VMFA-122
CHECK 6# - F/A-18A+, VMFA-312
MARAUDER 4# - AH-64, SC ARNG
BOOGER - Convoy Forward Air Controller
BUSTER - Convoy Forward Air Controller
CAESAR - Convoy Forward Air Controller
KAISER - MAG-31
Mac McCormick, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net
