WE Branch Fanatic
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Yes, but that's only a CSG - no comparison to the mighty firepower and range of six AV-8Bs.
US amphibious ships can carry up to twenty jets in a secondary strike role. Why do you think she (Kearsarge) only has six embarked?
BTW this part of the quoted article suggests that was a CVN free period:
In October, the last naval aviation missions in support of OIR were conducted from USS Essex (LHD 2).
Hence my point about the value of shipborne STOVL stands.
Also VMM? Thought USMC Harrier units were VMFA?
WE, the Kearsage is a part of a Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with a Marine Expiditionary Unit (MEU) emparked. The normal complement of the MEU airwing will include Harriers, MV-22, CH-53's, UH-1, and AH-1 aboard the LHD and on the other ships in the ARG. Usually 6 Harriers will be deployed.
This is a MEU deployment- not a "Harrier Carrier" deployment.
When the Harriers are deployed as part of a MEU they are attached to a medium helicopter/tiltwing squadron, thus the VMM designation in the article. The medium squadron is the largest squadron in the MEU and now consists of MV-22 (until recently it would have been the CH-46 sqaudron). The whole harrier squadron does not deploy, just a detachment of 6 jets and associated pilots and maintainers. They are adminstratively assigned to the larger helo/tiltwing squadron for the deployment. Sometimes you will see it noted as VMM (reinforced).