On 22 Jun 2004 08:41:42 -0700, (Pauli G) wrote:

I have a question about FAC operations in Vietnam. When a USMC got a
radio call for help, could he vector in aircraft from all services, or
were only USN/USMC aircraft at his disposal? Also, did Army ground
troops have the capability to contact any FAC in the sky regardless of
what service was flying them? ie. could Army soldiers call up a USMC
FAC? I'm just wondering how well-coordinated the ground/air was, or
if it was service-specific.

There were all kinds of FACs. There were ground FACs, air-FACs,
Fast-FACs and even strange, semi-civilian FACs in unusual places.

It sounds like your question is in regard to classic, slow-mover,
air-FAC in support of ground troops. The US military operates
"jointly", meaning that forces of one service support forces of
another service under control of a joint command structure. Marines on
the ground could get support from any FAC who could employ any air.

Coordination was exceptionally well-integrated. Regional control
centers scheduled FACs by area. FACs were often assigned and
integrated with ground units (down to battalion level usually). ALO
(Air Liaison Officers) functioned to coordinate operations at Brigade
and higher level. Air support was allocated from Corps down.

Simple answer to your question is "well-coordinated" and not
"service-specific."


Ed Rasimus
Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
"When Thunder Rolled"
Smithsonian Institution Press
ISBN #1-58834-103-8