[MilCom] Ft Benning exercise logs

[Mike Riffle]

The following is a summary of events from 16-18 May:

[CALLSIGNS]

A-10 x4 (#78-0632 #78-0640 104FW) CRICK, FLOSS, HUMPY, JUDGE, RAINMAN,
                                  SINNER, TRAIL (tactical), WEASEL
C-17 x3 (#94-0070 437AW) JUPE, KANTO, LIMA
AC-130  (#89-0514 "Maximum Carnage' 16SOW) FLASH (tactical), IDOL, MAIM
KC-135  (19ARG?) CARNY, CHOIR, WAGON

[FREQUENCIES]

124.7    A-10 SOF
127.2    A-10 a/a
128.05   A-10 HOG OPS
129.2    A-10 a/a
130.3    A-10 a/a, also interplane with AC-130
132.0    A-10 a/a
139.325  aerial relay (FM)
140.4    unk usage, IDOL calling ? 99 (this is a known Hurlburt CP freq)
141.25   passed by A-10 as a manual push to secure, no comms heard
141.6    unk usage, secure comms
227.2    aerial refueling
231.1    unk usage, "we'll see ya"
233.2    unk usage, secure comms
246.2    AC-130 Net (thanks to Barry W for this find)
249.5    SKYWATCH Ft Benning Range Control
262.475  satcom?, data bursts
269.525  Lawson AAF tower
270.25   Atlanta Center
295.65   possible Have Quick
323.1    Columbus app/dep
341.675  ground FAC, secure comms
346.4    Jacksonville Center
357.6    Atlanta Center
372.1    unk usage, "unable red comms that freq" then secure comms
381.55   Jacksonville Center

so far the A-10 presets look like this:
VHF [2] 132.0    [4] 124.7    [5] 130.3
UHF [4] 269.525  [6] 249.5    [7] 341.675  [13] 372.1

Typically there is an A-10 sortie between 2200-0000z then the main event
begins around 0230z - both the AC-130 and A-10s have been conducting live
fire at Coolidge Range - the A-10s have been using binoculars to spot
targets - a Predator has been on the prowl - Murphy has been a frequent
visitor with the AC-130 a no show one night due to a mechanical, one of
the A-10s could not refuel due to a problem with the latch mechanism,
another A-10 had a BENT GUN, and another A-10 lost his HUD shortly after
takeoff

Mike Riffle
Cataula, GA
milcom - http://www.qsl.net/kc8mzm/
photos - http://www.pbase.com/mriffle/aviation/