The Reapers

[Guest Cider]

Currently I'm in UPT approaching track select. Just looking for the correct path to fly the AC-130Us. My background includes flying over both lick-my-sack-a-stan's as a 135 nav flying low, dark, and unarmed. Just thought it might be a bit more fun being on the other end of the boom and making bad things go boom-boom.

Anyone in the community that can point me in the right direction. At least toward AFSOC. Ultimately, I would like to fly the Reapers.

[backseatdriver]

Clearedhot would be the expert on this, but to get to AC-130s (either U-boats or H-models) you'll need to track to T-44s and hope the assignment Gods smile on you and put a gunship in your drop. From the pilots I've talked to here at Hurbie that came straight from Corpus, you'll need to be in the top of your T-44 class to get any AFSOC bird if it's in the drop.

As far as flying the "Reapers", I've never heard that nickname. AC-130U = Spooky or U-boat. AC-130H = Spectre or H-model. Granted, I'm new, but I'm pretty sure Reaper is not a nickname used in the community.

[ 10. March 2005, 23:27: Message edited by: backseatdriver ]

[FourFans]

I just finished up at Corpus. Backseat is right on, go to a T-44 and then pray for a good drop. We had what was considered an ungodly drop for the 9 Air Force guys in my class:

2 England MCs, 1 Ramstein, 1 Yokota (myself), 1 Little Rock, 2 Pope, 2 Dyess.

From what I've seen recently, 2 AFSOC slots is pretty much the max for a drop our size. Having an AC be one of them, given the ratio of MC to AC, is even less likely.

Moral of the story: be number 1 in your class at Corpus. And the key to that is to hit the ground running. Your scoring here kinda works like a GPA in highschool: the farther you get in the program, the more difficult it is to change your average. So start off strong.

Question for Clearedhot: Now that I'm to be a slick guy, what road would I have to take if I want to get into an AC? I've heard that I should turn down slick IP school when/if that ever comes up, but that's about it. Any advice?

Cheers,

J

[ 11. March 2005, 22:16: Message edited by: FourFans130 ]

[Flare]

Originally posted by backseatdriver:

Clearedhot would be the expert on this

I thought he flew MH-53s?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

[Guest Cider]

Thanks fellas for the 411 and setting me straight on who's who's.

If one is blessed with an AFSOC bird out of Corpus, do they go to the school house in Little Rock or train in their units?

Has anyone arrived in an AFSOC sqn coming from a MDS other that 130s?

[backseatdriver]

Everyone starts at Little Rock. ACs go through Phase 1 and then finish up down here at Hurlburt. Talons and Shadows do Phase 1&2 and then finish up at either Kirtland (Talon 2s and Shadows) or Hurlburt (Talon 1s).

[FourFans]

Clearedhot is still the expert here. (I heard 53s and AC-130s fly REALLY close to each other sometimes.)

From what I've heard, most of the MC-130 guys come from slicks, but the AC-130 guys come from all over the place. As I understand it's a special assignment and it doesn't matter what you flew before.