Are USN/MC Pilots Really More Skilled Than USAF Pilots

T

The_Grizzly

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My friends (fellow CAP Cadets) were in a huge argument about which branch of the US Military has the best pilots. The argument in favor of the Navy and Marine Corps is that they need to land on aircraft carriers, however, there are Air Force Pilots that can also do the same (through exchange programs,) the argument in favor of the Air Force is that they need to refuel while mid air which is very difficult, but there are Navy Pilots and Marine pilots that can refuel (albeit a different way, with a "hose" instead of a boom). Now I want to hear from you all, is there anything that I am missing? What do you guys think? Please be civil and honest. (Yes, I am aware this post will be very controversial)
 
The Air Force and The Navy get all the newest, cutting edge stuff. After all that stuff is really old and beat up, they give it to the Marines to fix and make airworthy again. After that - even though it's outdated - The Marines are glad to actually have something to fly. Of course, it wouldn't be something a Zoomie or Naval Aviator would even consider flying again, so clearly The Marines are the best at everything because we improvise, adapt, and overcome.
 
First off.....not a pilot, so absolutely no one should put any credibility in my comments. But I am bored, so I will sound off anyway.

I think it depends on the mission.......if we are talking aerial refueling, I think it has to be the Air Force. They have nearly all the major refueling assets and they are hands down the best in the world.

Next up would be strategic long range bombing. Again, the Air Force has the lion's share of assets, and they know how to use them. And they can use them literally across the globe.

Then there is anti-submarine warfare either by fixed wing or rotary assets. I may be biased, but the Navy is unbeatable here. And our NATO partners to include the UK, France, and Norway (yep.....those Viking people) are really really good. Japan is no slouch either.

For close air support, that's a tough call. Marines are really good, and so is the Air Force (nothing says "bring the pain" like an A-10 going "BRRRRRTTTTTTTTT!!!!!" and smoking everything in its path.)

I haven't really seen an Apache in actual action, but they look scary and it takes amazing skills to operate them.

Then there are trap missions, and again....the Air Force and their PJ's are hard to beat.

When it comes to sustained aerial reconnaissance, I still think the AWACS is the King of that skill set.

So, even though I am Navy, it is hard to out match the Air Force in most areas.

But, there is no cinema version about an Air Force version of Top Gun......so there ya go!
 
The best pilots execute their mission, bring their bird home safely along with any crew, and don’t brag (too much) about who’s best. It doesn’t matter.

There are tons of YouTube videos on scary stuff for all aviation platforms. One point about night carrier landings. If you’re mid-ocean, there’s no bingo field.

 
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This is like asking if the Yankees or Red Sox are overall better at baseball. Records notwithstanding, both teams are full of professional baseball players. They each did what it takes to compete at that level. Each team has star players, journeymen, and rookies. Additionally, each position has their own competencies. Catchers have to be tough and be very in tune with team strategy. Shortstops have to have good range. Those are different skillsets. Additionally, are they still a good player if they are defensively sound and mediocre at hitting?

So a better pilot is a bit loaded. How do you define it? Better stick and rudder skills? Better at tactics? Better at their mission set? Every service has pilots who have demonstrated superior airmanship. Every service has pilots who have done less than professional things.
 
Usnavy2019 said:
This is like asking if the Yankees or Red Sox are overall better at baseball. Records notwithstanding, both teams are full of professional baseball players. They each did what it takes to compete at that level. Each team has star players, journeymen, and rookies. Additionally, each position has their own competencies. Catchers have to be tough and be very in tune with team strategy. Shortstops have to have good range. Those are different skillsets. Additionally, are they still a good player if they are defensively sound and mediocre at hitting?

So a better pilot is a bit loaded. How do you define it? Better stick and rudder skills? Better at tactics? Better at their mission set? Every service has pilots who have demonstrated superior airmanship. Every service has pilots who have done less than professional things.
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And you can have great pilots and terrible officers all wrapped up in the same flight suit.
 
CaptMJ hit it square, as did many others.

Landing on a carrier...you train for that. I'm going to be bold here and say a skilled pilot can learn to do that. It's not an "only the best can" issue although that's a great recruiting comment. No, I've never done it. I have shot several approaches (yes, daylight, decent weather, etc.) in my AF jet but of course, I had to "go around" from it. And I did get to fly the F/A-18 sim at Lemoore...shot all sorts of approaches: had a ramp strike, caught many "3 wire okay" passes...all in a sim with no real danger other than an '18 IP laughing very loud when I made mistakes.

Comparisons like this are like the recent "GOAT" arguments re: football, basketball, etc. Out of place.

Example: I have a much higher success rate re: BFM/DACT against USN/USMC fighter pilots than I do against USAF fighter pilots. But remember, that's our role! It's what we do; deny the enemy the air. USN/USMC pilots are better at fleet defense; that's their role. Supporting the war fighter on the ground...we all do that.

We'll give each other crap at the bar, and fight to the death amongst ourselves...but that's "all in the family" of military aviators. I've gone to war with USAF/USN/USMC pilots...and that mixed package...NOBODY on earth could stop it. Experts in their specialties, working together...

Boom.


 
I just have to say watching that carrier deck capture made me nauseous. Kudos to anyone who can do that, and to the flight crew that stayed calm and walked them in.
I'm grateful for all of them, regardless of which uniform they wear. And I'd buy them a beer anytime.
 
THParent said:
After all that stuff is really old and beat up, they give it to the Marines to fix and make airworthy again. After that - even though it's outdated - The Marines are glad to actually have something to fly.
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Sorry but I'll call BS on this one. It might have been true back in WWII and some of the intervening years but Todays Air wing is flying V-22's, new CH53s, new Cobras, F35's and F18's. Not flying hand-me downs now, at least not very many.
 
Well, we all know this is an argument for second place. The Army, of course, makes the best pilots.😃
But kidding aside, ask a SEAL or Pararescue who they want carrying them and they will give the same answer. NSDQ.
 
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Time to highjack the thread with pilot jokes.
How can you tell if there are pilots at a party?
Don’t worry, they’ll tell you.

Son: Mom, when I grow up I want to be a pilot.
Mom: Sorry son, you can't do both.

How do you know you are halfway through a date with a pilot?
They says "enough about flying, lets talk about me."
 
CatDog99 said:
Since we're having some fun, here's an oldy but goodie:

USN or USAF? | Tales | F-14 Tomcat

An Association of F-14 Tomcat Aircrew, Maintainers, Civil Servants, Contractors, and Enthusiasts.
www.f-14association.com www.f-14association.com
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FAKE NEWS!!!

I have never ironed my flight suit!! I have had some really lousy scarves though...

And that bar? Okay, it's legendary but...Po City...Reykjavik...the Camel's Breath at USMTM in Riyadh...

Okay, forget the Camel's Breath...
 
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