On Thu, 25 Sep 2003 22:21:27 GMT, Ed Rasimus
wrote:

[previous post snipped]

No, emphatically no. Anyone who spends more than one tour (penance) in
the TACS (Tactical Air Control System--i.e., FACs and ALOs) is of
minimal value. Sorry in advance to those career FAC/ALOs that I've
offended.

I was an ALO in the 4th ID, Fort Carson Colorado from '85-'87. This
was after being passed over seven times for O-5 and with an extension
in service for two years. Assignment taken to get a move from Holloman
AFB (great place to fly, lousy place to retire) to Colorado Springs.
Nuff said.

I liked, and more importantly respected, everyone that I ever
encountered in Army Aviation. Mas grande cojones, en todos.


When I was at Ft. Hood in the late '70s they (Army helicopter pilots)
used to give "orientation rides" to new ALOs and visiting FACs. The
orientation rides often consisted of lots of contour and NOE flying at
extremely low altitudes and for some strange reason many of these ALOs
and FACs got airsick. Not that any Army aviation people would be
doing any of this on purpose, of course.... ;-)

John Hairell )