Anaconda Marines

Inside the Ring via Drudge ^ | April 26, 2002 | Bill Gertz and Rowan Scarborough

[vannrox]

Some Marine Corps aviators are saying the best performing choppers in Operation Anaconda were Marine Cobras, not the Army's front-line AH-64 Apaches.

"I know they got a lot of press, but two days after we arrived, an AH-64 did not fly in that objective area again, and it became our show," said one Marine aviator. "We got credit for a lot of targets found and destroyed. We were able to find something new to shoot at every single time we went there and could still be killing targets if we had not come back to the boat."

[vannrox]

AH-64A Apache

[SICSEMPERTYRANNUS]

It's a shame people don't give more credit to the AH-1W. It is not the same platform as the 60s version. I have worked directly with them in an aviation ground support role and they are practically as capable as the AH-64. However the Longbow version does have advantages. The AH-64 does spend a lot of time on the ground for each hour flown though. The AH-1Z should narrow the tech gap between the two helos.

[PhiKapMom]

Looks like the Marine Corps is getting all kinds of great press now!

[vannrox]

MarineLINK > Information for Marines > Aircraft, Vehicles and Equipment Factfile > AH-1W Super Cobra Helicopter

AH-1W Super Cobra Helicopter


Primary function: Attack helicopter
Manufacturer: Bell Helicopter Textron
Power plant: Two General Electric T700-GE-401 engines
Thrust:
Full: 2082 shaft horsepower for 30 minutes (transmission limited),
Continuous: 1775 shaft horsepower
Length: 58 feet (17.67 meters)
Height: 13.7 feet (4.17 meters)
Rotor Diameter: 48 feet (14.62 meters)
Speed: 147 knots (169.05 miles per hour) in basic combat attack configuration
Maximum takeoff weight: 14,750 pounds (6,696.50 kilograms)
Range: 256 nautical miles (294.4 miles) in basic combat attack configuration
Ceiling: 18,700 feet (5703.5 meters) in basic combat attack configuration (limited to 10,000 feet (3050 kilometers) by oxygen requirements)
Crew: 2 officers
Armament: One 20MM turreted cannon with 750 rounds; four external wing stations that can fire 2.75"/5.0" rockets and a wide variety of precision guided missiles, to include TOW/Hellfire (point target/anti-armor), Sidewinder (anti-air) Sidearm (anti-radar).
Introduction date: 1986
Unit Replacement Cost: $10,700,000

Mission: Fire support and security for forward and rear area forces, point target/anti-armor, anti-helicopter, armed escort, supporting arms control and coordination, point and limited area air defense from enemy fixed-wing aircraft, armed and visual reconnaissance.

Features: The AH-1W Super Cobra is a day/night marginal weather Marine Corps attack helicopter that provides enroute escort for our assault helicopters and their embarked forces. The AH-1W is a two-place, tandem-seat, twin-engine helicopter capable of land- or sea-based operations. The AH-1W provides fire support and fire support coordination to the landing force during amphibious assaults and subsequent operations ashore.

The AH-1W is operated in eight composite HMLA squadrons composed of 18 AH-1 and 9 UH-1 aircraft. The AH-1W is curretnly being outfitted with a Night Targeting System/Forward Looking Infrared Radar that provides laser rangefinding/designating and camera capabilities.

Inventory: 147

Background: The Marine Corps deployed 4 of 6 active force squadrons (48 AH-1Ws) to Southwest Asia during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. These helicopters destroyed 97 tanks, 104 armored personnel carriers and vehicles, 16 bunkers and 2 antiaircraft artillery sites without the loss of any aircraft. The deployment required no additional augmentation to squadron support personnel and only one Bell Helicopter technical representative.

[AzJP]

Golly, the Apache was started in the '70s as an anti-tank weapon.

[COB1]

"Looks like the Marine Corps is getting all kinds of great press now!"

Hi PK!
Thanks for the bump!
Heck, the Corps knew we were the best all along, it just took the media a long time to realize it!

[PhiKapMom]

Heck, the Corps knew we were the best all along, it just took the media a long time to realize it!

Hi Cob!

Spoken like a true Marine! What is the saying "Once a Marine, Always a Marine!" Don't think any of the other Services can compare to the loyalty of the Members of the Corps. Have been around the Air Force for years and have tremendous respect for the pilots and their crews -- but you guys from the Marines are special!

[Marine Inspector]

This is why the Corps never signed on with the Apache program and wanted to upgrade the Cobra.

The Cobra is the most durable fighting helo in the US inventory. I live and work near the plant in Phoenix and I hear allot of talk about the Apache, most of it is not good.

[Marine Inspector]

Forgot this: The Cobra has a Marine flying it, not a doggie.

flame away doggies.

[Marine Inspector]

PING

[JoeSixPack1]

Doggies only bark. Devil Dogs Bite.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH

Semper Fi, BUMP... :-)

[COB1]

Thanks, PK!
I have no idea what they put in the chow at P.I. or MCRD, San Diego, but whatever it is, it's there for a lifetime!
There is instant comraderie that surpasses race, religion, ethnicity, social standing, age, gender, or political affiliation.
There is a glue which binds us together that makes super glue look like flour paste.

[aimlow]

Not to mention the army just gave a bronze star to a Marine LtCol for taking over the coordination of their air during anaconda

[COB1]

"The Cobra is the most durable fighting helo in the US inventory."

Ya know, everyone likes to think of the old 0311 grunt in the Corps as just a dumb-ass who ain't got sense enough to do anything but act as cannon fodder, but when the dust settles, it always seems that the really smart decisions made by the military come from people who started out as a grunt in the United States Marine Corps!

[JoeSixPack1]

The basic grunt fresh out of boot has the world by the cajonnes. No limits. 0311 out of boot is the stepping stone to a great run. Grab a tour with a jump unit one year, play swabby the next, get a few stipes, your crossed rifles then a rocker and your the boss. The Marine Corps hates to waste training dollars, 0311 is a boot camp freebie.
Disrespecting an 0311 is also highly unhealthy. :-)

Semper Fi, COB1

[Fred Mertz]

Thanks for the technical summary vannrox.

[Marine Inspector]

I joined the Corps after two years of community college. The local recruiter, had been trying to get me to enlist since high school, I told him to get lost every time.

I called him up one day and asked when the next ASVAB test was. He got really excited. And told me that they were doing one in a few days in Monterey. I told him to make room in his car for me. I swear the guy had an orgasm right then and there.

On the morning of the test, I showed up at the recruiters office and off we went. There were a two other high school seniors going up with us. The entire trip, he kept asking me if I was going to enlist. I kept him in the dark and said I had not made up my mind.

After the test, he went and got the scores, and we jumped back in the car for the trip back to Santa Cruz. He told the other two how they scored and turned to me and said that he would not tell me my score until I told him what my plans were. I said ok and remained silent the entire ride back. I could see this guy was going nuts.

When we got back to his office, he again asked what my plans were. I told him I wanted to join the reserve Infantry unit in San Bruno, California and I wanted to be an 0311. The guy‘s jaw hit the floor and he was speechless for a good minute. When he composed himself, he asked me if I wanted to know my ASVAB score. I said no, I’m sure it’s high enough for the job, and told him to call me tomorrow, and I left.

That night I got a call from the First Sergeant in Monterey. He asked me why I wanted the Infantry? I told it to him straight: There is nothing more Honorable than the Man on the Battlefield. Every other job in the military supports one person, and that person is the Grunt. Once again there was silence. The First Sergeant came back and told me I nearly scored perfect on the ASVAB and could have any job in the Corps, or I could finish collage and become an Officer. I said no. I will start at the bottom and work my way up from there. Of course he asked why the reserves and not active duty, but that’s a personal story. I did go on active duty a year later, when my personal matter was taken care of.

And so began the life a Grunt. Although I did not complete 20 years, to this day I still consider my self a Grunt, and I am proud of the title.

[Marine Inspector]

If you want the BEST, look to the MARINES.

Gen. Jones is set to take over command of Allied Forces Europe. Those folks over in Europe better start getting their shit together. The Marines have landed.