Are USN/MC Pilots Really More Skilled Than USAF Pilots

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...
“Their (AF) facilities are excellent.”
I flew into Tallil probably once a week. My last mission into Iraq I stopped there again for gas. The week prior it was typical, porta potties and sand. I was always terrified of my 9mm falling into a porta potty. “Sir, I don’t know where it went.”
Suddenly, there were flush toilets and paved sidewalks. When we were leaving I asked base Ops personnel what the deal was with the sudden appearance of flush toilets and sidewalks. “The Air Force will be basing some C-130s here, but they need “modern facilities” first.”
 
I was intrigued that the 160th flew so many different air frames. I just assumed they had one, thanks for the education. Those pilots have some serious cojones.
 
I was intrigued that the 160th flew so many different air frames. I just assumed they had one, thanks for the education. Those pilots have some serious cojones.
Three basic airframes depending on the mission, MH-6, MH-47, MH-60.
There is a troop carrying version of the “little bird” and a gun ship version.
There is also a gunship version of the MH-60, or the DAP.
The pilot talked about in the video who landed his little bird on a street in Mogadishu gave me my “Green Platoon” check-ride. If I remember correctly, while his copilot raced to check out the crash site he held into the cyclic with one had and with his other hand fended off Somalis with his MP-5. He was also in Viet Nam, Granada, and Panama.
Just to be clear, I did not serve in Somalia.
 
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USN/USMC tacair pilots are certainly better at landing on carriers and flying F18s, much like C2/E2 pilots are better than their USAF counterparts at doing the same. Any argument beyond that will largely involve ego and, uh, appendage measuring contests.

Fly Navy
Maybe it's you who has that ego and not them :)
 
It's not a service thing. There are mediocre, good, and great pilots in each service (and a very few bad pilots).
If you want to be the best, YOU need to do it.
I have met two really bad pilots. They're both dead and it wasn't because the aircraft failed. :oops:
 
Then again these guys were good:cool: Scarfs mustaches and all.
 

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Hovering over a triple canopy and lowering the hook makes these guys the best.:angel:
 

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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!
Air Force One
 
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.

Horrible premise. Of course the Red Sox are, always were, and always will be, better than the Yankees.
 
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