Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1998 00:38:49 -0700 From: Kyrie Menyth Subject: Re: !SKFF! Your Sanity. Decloaking from lurker mode: < shaa > There's no other aircraft buffs around here? < Glances warily at Rauhnee.> Ball; Nicholas James wrote: > Oooh, you're a member of our RAAF! For you American viewers, > that stands for the Royal Australian Air Force, which is basically > our Army Jets and all that. The equilavent for you American's would > be your..er..Navy..but with wings. What's all those planes of yours > called again? The American Air Force? You know, the one with all > those stealth bombers [snip rest] To set straight some inconsistencies about the how the U.S. Military is set up. USAF - United States Air Force. Right out of WWII, they became the USAF, but they are the direct decedents of the U.S. Army Air Core (actually, they were separated into their own command.) They are the only U.S. force that have strategic bombers (B-52 or BUFF's, B-1B's or the BONE, B-2's). They also have the capability to conduct air strikes (CAS), air superiority (CAP), and search and rescue (there are some variations of CAS and CAP). Yes, the stealth jets (F-117A and B-2) skins were stated as being a little water soluble, but do you really believe a military would allow that information to be released if they hadn't corrected the problem already. It was probably to throw off enemies in to thinking that the plane(s) are vulnerable to water and can only be flow into dry areas. ------------------------- "Dr. Viper, we're safe here in the rain forest. Those meddling SWAT Kats will never get close enough to find us here!" < ska-crump, BOOM > "You were sssaying Dark Kat. It appearsss that they found usss." A creepling tugs on Dark Kat's overcoat, and wispers something to him. "A WHAT! I though the Enforcer Stealth jet couldn't fly in rain!" "I sshould find better alliess that have better intelligence." Dr. Vipers mutters to himself. --------------------------- USN - United States Navy. Ships are what they are know for, but there are also planes from aircraft carriers, and landing ships. The carriers with their planes can perform much the same missions as the USAF, except without the land airstrip support. The landing ships carry a lot Marines with various helo's and AV-8B Harrier II plus two LCAC [Landing Craft Air Cushioned] (at least the newest and largest landing ships carry Harrier's, the older ones are kinda small and only carry helo's and landing boats). One bother is a Squid still. (Did I lose anyone yet? Now on to my specialty.) USMC - United States Marine Corps. (Once a Marine, always a Marine. So why re-enlist? I didn't re-enlist ;P ) Been there, done that. An assault force that kicks in the door for the Army to come on in, they've been around for over 200 years plus, and we've been running the show ever since (You think I'm a former active Marine? nah). They work hand in hand with the Navy for amphibious assaults (they do draw their paycheck from them). The US Marines have their own aircraft on landing ships and carriers, along with ground vehicles. The closest comparison would be that they are a composite of the USAF, USN and USA; a little bit of everything with a specialty in coming in from the sea. USA - United States Army. Ground pounders with tanks, helicopters and Corp of Engineers. Affectionately called "Army Dogs" (though they call us Jarheads and we both call the Navy as Squids and the Air Force as Flyboys). Had two brothers in the Army. They now live peaceful lives being in the 1st Civ Div. The Army has _no_ jets except for transports (maybe?). I'm not sure if they got the A-10 Warthog, they want it badly from the AF. > Where would I find information on joining our Armed Forces, anyway? Go to your local recruiter. They are helpful and know stuff. I don't know Flight Officer in the RAAF, I specialize in US Forces. As for the rest, I could tell you a a lot about the USMC, with four years under my belt and a small obsession with military equipment. > Nicholas J. Ball (knows some things about Computer Science, which could be used in guidance systems for you guys, too, no doubt...) Hooray for Computer Science! Yes, they are dedicated computers in weapon systems. > P.S Are all those dramatic army films like 'A Few Good Men' and 'In The Army Now' very accurate? Hollywood BS, that's all they are. I've heard an interview with someone who participated in the Normandy invasion that said the movie "Saving Private Ryan" was pretty accurate about the realities of war. But other than that one, they are just BS. That's why I hardly watch live action films anymore. But anime .... ----------------------------- High Lord Kyrie Menyth Shadowdancer, Embryonic Celestian in denial -------------------------------------------------------------------- I stayed up all night playing poker with tarot cards. I got a full house and four people died. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- This list is sponsored by PEAK,Inc. ISP and Education Center Public Electronic Access to Knowledge,Inc http://www.peak.org 850 SW 15th Street Corvallis Oregon 97333 (541) 754-7325