Scrambling fighters

[John Doe]

Hello,

In view of the 9/11 attacks, with some fighters being launched unarmed
for want of time, I have been wondering what are the procedures to be
followed before launching fighters onto a mission--I am not talking
about authorizations etc., but things like fueling them (or are they
kept fueled?), loading missiles (special operation to arm them?),
briefing the pilots (and the aircraft's computers?)...

I thought Google would give me a list, but I apparently didn't find
the right keywords. What are the standard procedures and checklists
before taking off? Are they different from training missions? From
flights with civilian aircraft?

Thanks in advance.

--


This is a spam-bait; any mail sent to any of these email addresses will
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[Cub Driver]

I've posted a timeline of the Sept 11 intercepts, which will answer
some of your question: www.danford.net/testimon.htm

all the best -- Dan Ford (email: info AT danford.net)

see the Warbird's Forum at http://www.danford.net/index.htm
Vietnam | Flying Tigers | Pacific War | Brewster Buffalo | Piper Cub

[Pete]

"John Doe" > wrote in message
...
>
> Hello,
>
> In view of the 9/11 attacks, with some fighters being launched unarmed
> for want of time, I have been wondering what are the procedures to be
> followed before launching fighters onto a mission--I am not talking
> about authorizations etc.,

> but things like fueling them (or are they
> kept fueled?),

Generally kept fueled, unless there is a specific need not to.

> loading missiles (special operation to arm them?),

Loading could take quite some time.
You have to:
a) get the missiles from storage (with authorization)
b) transport them. There are some already on trailers, but you can't drive
too fast.
c) load
Arming happens when the standard EOR checks are done. For an alert A/C, or
in an emergency, arming (pulling the safety pins and final checkout) could
be done as it leaves the parking area.

> briefing the pilots (and the aircraft's computers?)...

Fly towards (wherever). We'll figure it out later.

Pete

[Jeroen Wenting]

> In view of the 9/11 attacks, with some fighters being launched unarmed
> for want of time, I have been wondering what are the procedures to be
> followed before launching fighters onto a mission--I am not talking
> about authorizations etc., but things like fueling them (or are they
> kept fueled?), loading missiles (special operation to arm them?),
> briefing the pilots (and the aircraft's computers?)...
>
In the old days aircraft were sitting on the ramp fully fueled and armed
24/7 with their pilots never more than a few minutes away.
They could be in the air in under 5 minutes from the alarm being given (and
during times of increased tension in under 1 minute, aircraft under those
conditions being kept on standby with pilots in their cockpits and engines
running (with fuel lines connected to keep the tanks topped off).
Since about 1993 that has been generally reduced so that now the average
reaction time is 45 minutes.
Aircraft are unarmed, pilots are further away from them, etc.

> I thought Google would give me a list, but I apparently didn't find
> the right keywords. What are the standard procedures and checklists
> before taking off? Are they different from training missions? From
> flights with civilian aircraft?
>
Checklists would be abbreviated, or rather the checks would largely have
been performed beforehand by the groundcrew while the pilot was on his way
to the aircraft.

[AL]

Depending on the threat level and hence the alert level, the aircraft
are usually fueled and armed. On bad days, with the ground APU running
to power the onboard computers and GPS. On really bad days, the pilots
sit in the cockpit instead of the ready room.

John Doe wrote:

> Hello,
>
>In view of the 9/11 attacks, with some fighters being launched unarmed
>for want of time, I have been wondering what are the procedures to be
>followed before launching fighters onto a mission--I am not talking
>about authorizations etc., but things like fueling them (or are they
>kept fueled?), loading missiles (special operation to arm them?),
>briefing the pilots (and the aircraft's computers?)...
>
>I thought Google would give me a list, but I apparently didn't find
>the right keywords. What are the standard procedures and checklists
>before taking off? Are they different from training missions? From
>flights with civilian aircraft?
>
>Thanks in advance.
>
>
>

--
AL
New anti-terrorism tool, "Fly naked"
http://www.alfredivy.per.sg

[robert arndt]

AL > wrote in message >...
> Depending on the threat level and hence the alert level, the aircraft
> are usually fueled and armed. On bad days, with the ground APU running
> to power the onboard computers and GPS. On really bad days, the pilots
> sit in the cockpit instead of the ready room.
>
> John Doe wrote:
>
> > Hello,
> >
> >In view of the 9/11 attacks, with some fighters being launched unarmed
> >for want of time, I have been wondering what are the procedures to be
> >followed before launching fighters onto a mission--I am not talking
> >about authorizations etc., but things like fueling them (or are they
> >kept fueled?), loading missiles (special operation to arm them?),
> >briefing the pilots (and the aircraft's computers?)...
> >
> >I thought Google would give me a list, but I apparently didn't find
> >the right keywords. What are the standard procedures and checklists
> >before taking off? Are they different from training missions? From
> >flights with civilian aircraft?
> >
> >Thanks in advance.
> >
> >
> >

Does anyone know what happed to the proposed Homeland Security Fighter
Project? IIRC, this was some form of civilian jet converted for
immediate military use (?)... like an armed Learjet or something...

Rob

[Kyle Boatright]

"robert arndt" > wrote in message
om...
> AL > wrote in message >...
> > Depending on the threat level and hence the alert level, the aircraft
> > are usually fueled and armed. On bad days, with the ground APU running
> > to power the onboard computers and GPS. On really bad days, the pilots
> > sit in the cockpit instead of the ready room.
> >
> > John Doe wrote:
> >
> > > Hello,
> > >
> > >In view of the 9/11 attacks, with some fighters being launched unarmed
> > >for want of time, I have been wondering what are the procedures to be
> > >followed before launching fighters onto a mission--I am not talking
> > >about authorizations etc., but things like fueling them (or are they
> > >kept fueled?), loading missiles (special operation to arm them?),
> > >briefing the pilots (and the aircraft's computers?)...
> > >
> > >I thought Google would give me a list, but I apparently didn't find
> > >the right keywords. What are the standard procedures and checklists
> > >before taking off? Are they different from training missions? From
> > >flights with civilian aircraft?
> > >
> > >Thanks in advance.
> > >
> > >
> > >
>
> Does anyone know what happed to the proposed Homeland Security Fighter
> Project? IIRC, this was some form of civilian jet converted for
> immediate military use (?)... like an armed Learjet or something...
>
> Rob

Hopefully it was rejected as a lame brane solution.

The problem on 9/11 wasn't a lack of airplanes, it was a lack of
communications, decisiveness, and fighters on a 5 minute alert.

KB

[TJ]

"Jerry" > wrote in message
...
> Dan read ur post then it disappeared a user error me thinks. Were the
> various Eagles and Vipers even carrying 20mm ammunition for the
> Vulcans, surely this must be a pretty standard load out. Also were the
> planes that escorted that terrible day loaded for bear so to speak.
>
> I don't know what the UK situation is now but am pretty sure we
> scrambled Tornado F3's in case it was a co-ordinated attack here as
> well. I also believe that since then we have moved some assets nearer
> to London, does any of the uK crew know if that's the case and are
> they alert as they were in the days of the Cold War?
>
> Thanks
>
>
>
> Dont worry about the spelling errors, because I don't!
>
> Jerry

Yes the Tornado F.3s are still based nearer London sitting alert. You can
find the exact base if you want in the UK media. The last RAF QRA scramble
against the Russians was on 13/14th February 2001 against two Blackjacks.

TJ