I was just thinking the same thingF5-riday
I used to control their USMC counterparts in Yuma. VMFT-401 the Snipers. The Marine Corps only aggressor squadron.
Awesome!!!I used to control their USMC counterparts in Yuma. VMFT-401 the Snipers. The Marine Corps only aggressor squadron.
What do you mean by control?I used to control their USMC counterparts in Yuma. VMFT-401 the Snipers. The Marine Corps only aggressor squadron.
Awesome!!!
Honestly im just glad someone on here got that lol
By control, did you operate rapcon / tower or something else? Was Yuma warm enough for ya?
Very very cool. Thank you for your service. Looks like some fun was had along the wayI was a Marine Tactical Air Controller, also known as GCI. Which basically means I would talk to the fast movers and direct them to the enemy air targets. We were combat deployable, conducting ops out of something the size of a train car. We use fiber optic and connect our radars from distances of hundreds of yards to almost a mile away. We could see for hundreds of miles. This was in the mid 90s, so I'm sure the job has changed somewhat with the advent of things like Link 16 etc. We would datalink our picture with an AWACS, and together divvy up control of the theater.
I spent most of my 4 years of active duty in the desert southwest. After Parris Island and Lejeune for infantry training (we all did it) I went to 29 Palms for 6 months then Yuma. The good part about that was LOTS of training in that area, since it's so desolate. When we were in garrison in Yuma we would have 3-4 flights pre day and it was very common to control the 'bad guy' red side of the fight, which usually meant the F5s. Most of the pilots were reservists who also flew for Southwest. What a gig lol. I spent a lot of time hanging our in their ready room, which was one of the coolest - all Russian themed... red walls, lots of Cyrillic writing. My favorite tho was VMA-214 - the Blacksheep Squadron. Lots of memorabilia from their heydey in WWII with Pappy Boyington. While i was there, they brought Arnold Schwarzenegger into the Harrier simulator to film his hands for the movie True Lies. Good times.
We also controlled a lot of flights for VMFT-101 the 'Sharpshooter' out of El Centro, which is a RAG squadron for newbie F18 pilots (now F35s I think). Not to mention USAF stuff from Nellis and Guard units from across the country. It was a fun time, but alas - no civilian counterpart. We had Yuma tower ATC guys attached to our unit, we'd see them on Fridays for formation, for promotions and ceremonial stuff like that, that's about it. My job was very different. Different mission, equipment and language. They keep people separated for safety, we brought them together to kill the enemy LOL. I did 4 years then got out. GI Bill, finished my degree, got all my pilot ratings. Been flying business jets for the last 25 years. Time flies... literally LOL.
I was a Marine Tactical Air Controller, also known as GCI. Which basically means I would talk to the fast movers and direct them to the enemy air targets. We were combat deployable, conducting ops out of something the size of a train car. We use fiber optic and connect our radars from distances of hundreds of yards to almost a mile away. We could see for hundreds of miles. This was in the mid 90s, so I'm sure the job has changed somewhat with the advent of things like Link 16 etc. We would datalink our picture with an AWACS, and together divvy up control of the theater.
I spent most of my 4 years of active duty in the desert southwest. After Parris Island and Lejeune for infantry training (we all did it) I went to 29 Palms for 6 months then Yuma. The good part about that was LOTS of training in that area, since it's so desolate. When we were in garrison in Yuma we would have 3-4 flights pre day and it was very common to control the 'bad guy' red side of the fight, which usually meant the F5s. Most of the pilots were reservists who also flew for Southwest. What a gig lol. I spent a lot of time hanging our in their ready room, which was one of the coolest - all Russian themed... red walls, lots of Cyrillic writing. My favorite tho was VMA-214 - the Blacksheep Squadron. Lots of memorabilia from their heydey in WWII with Pappy Boyington. While i was there, they brought Arnold Schwarzenegger into the Harrier simulator to film his hands for the movie True Lies. Good times.
Your profile name caught my eye. 'ezvictor' is code for prepare for an emergency evacuation LOL.Very very cool. Thank you for your service. Looks like some fun was had along the way
For the record I am not military and certainly never have I flown the F-5.
Yeah it’s an old command we don’t use anymore. Yes I’m guilty. Airline trash hereYour profile name caught my eye. 'ezvictor' is code for prepare for an emergency evacuation LOL.
I was a Marine Tactical Air Controller, also known as GCI. Which basically means I would talk to the fast movers and direct them to the enemy air targets. We were combat deployable, conducting ops out of something the size of a train car. We use fiber optic and connect our radars from distances of hundreds of yards to almost a mile away. We could see for hundreds of miles. This was in the mid 90s, so I'm sure the job has changed somewhat with the advent of things like Link 16 etc. We would datalink our picture with an AWACS, and together divvy up control of the theater.
I spent most of my 4 years of active duty in the desert southwest. After Parris Island and Lejeune for infantry training (we all did it) I went to 29 Palms for 6 months then Yuma. The good part about that was LOTS of training in that area, since it's so desolate. When we were in garrison in Yuma we would have 3-4 flights pre day and it was very common to control the 'bad guy' red side of the fight, which usually meant the F5s. Most of the pilots were reservists who also flew for Southwest. What a gig lol. I spent a lot of time hanging our in their ready room, which was one of the coolest - all Russian themed... red walls, lots of Cyrillic writing. My favorite tho was VMA-214 - the Blacksheep Squadron. Lots of memorabilia from their heydey in WWII with Pappy Boyington. While i was there, they brought Arnold Schwarzenegger into the Harrier simulator to film his hands for the movie True Lies. Good times.
We also controlled a lot of flights for VMFT-101 the 'Sharpshooter' out of El Centro, which is a RAG squadron for newbie F18 pilots (now F35s I think). Not to mention USAF stuff from Nellis and Guard units from across the country. It was a fun time, but alas - no civilian counterpart. We had Yuma tower ATC guys attached to our unit, we'd see them on Fridays for formation, for promotions and ceremonial stuff like that, that's about it. My job was very different. Different mission, equipment and language. They keep people separated for safety, we brought them together to kill the enemy LOL. I did 4 years then got out. GI Bill, finished my degree, got all my pilot ratings. Been flying business jets for the last 25 years. Time flies... literally LOL.
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I've been to 51,000 feet. You can see the curve. LOLIs the earth flat...lol
Wow, all this GCI talk brings back many old memories, as I was in the USAF in Germany back in the late 60's when we had the ADIZ, and Berlin corridors. Back then we were controlling mostly F4 Phantoms, and were using data link back then, as well, but I'm sure far from the capabilities of today's systems. Thanks for sharing your stories, and thanks to jetdriver1775 for the great photos.@jetdriver1775 Right on man. GCI has been my world for going on 25 years now. I'm at a GCI (and other C2 stuff) schoolhouse now where part of my job is scheduling control for the wing's fighter squadrons. I'm at an AF unit but we recently got a USMC instructor/controller into the unit and will probably be adding a few more.
Love the Phantom! One of my all time fave fighters!Wow, all this GCI talk brings back many old memories, as I was in the USAF in Germany back in the late 60's when we had the ADIZ, and Berlin corridors. Back then we were controlling mostly F4 Phantoms, and were using data link back then, as well, but I'm sure far from the capabilities of today's systems. Thanks for sharing your stories, and thanks to jetdriver1775 for the great photos.