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From: bcstec!shuksan!major@uunet.UU.NET (Mike Schmitt)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: A10s used to rescue down pilots
Message-ID: <1991Jan25.025858.7930@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 25 Jan 91 02:58:58 GMT
References: <1991Jan24.043443.25667@cbnews.att.com>
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From: bcstec!shuksan!major@uunet.UU.NET (Mike Schmitt)

> From: anthony@batserver.cs.uq.oz.au (Anthony Lee)
> Last night I saw CNN report two pilots who flew the pair of A10s that
> went to rescue a down pilot.  Didn't they used to use A1 Skyraiders for
> this back in Nam ?  I think the A10s are ideal for the job, I can imagine
> you need something that's real slow to pickup enemy trucks and armour that 
> might be heading for the down pilot.  The A10s have to make several
> pass and I don't see many planes surviving any possible AA fire unless 
> you have the kind of armour protection that the A10 has B-).

  The key to air support of a search & rescure mission is 'loiter time'.
  That's the capability to stay around for a long time and carry enough
  mix of ordnance to suppress unwanted interference.  The A1E Skyraiders
  (Sandy) were ideal for this mission - lots of loiter time, lots of 
  ordnance, and lots of old pilots flying them (at least the ones out
  of Nakhon Phanom, Thailand that supported our operations).
  (I've not seen the movie - Flight of the Intruder - but the promotional
   film clips show A1E Skyraiders over a downed Intruder)

  At night, the A1E's were replaced by Marine A-4s (better night flying
  capability - I think). 

  A-10s would seem to be ideally suited for supporting SAR missions - slow,
  lots of loiter time - good mix of ordnance.  

  mike schmitt