Deke Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 The articles I've seen say that these aircraft were operated by RCU-1, but I can't find anything substantial about that unit. Even what the RCU stands for. Reconnaissance Composite Unit? Deke Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Whiskey Posted March 21, 2016 Author Share Posted March 21, 2016 The articles I've seen say that these aircraft were operated by RCU-1, but I can't find anything substantial about that unit. Even what the RCU stands for. Reconnaissance Composite Unit? Deke Not really sure what it means either. Been doing some digging and the only thing that even comes close to something in that field would probably Requisition Control Unit maybe? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Exhausted Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 (edited) The Prowlers Broncos painted on the icon have me leaning to reconnaissance, but the lack of a fixed-wing (V) designator has me scratching my head. Edited March 23, 2016 by Exhausted Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 Pretty sure RCU stands for Requisition Control Unit in U.S. Navy parlance. I haven't looked it up and I am going from pure memory so I am not 100% sure as to what all of their duties are but pulling together materials/spares/parts for systems and testing them is one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Exhausted Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 In that case I'm reminded of the old H&MS squadrons the Marines had.... Headquarters and Maintenance Sq. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Whiskey Posted March 23, 2016 Author Share Posted March 23, 2016 The site that I found that picture says that is VAL-4's old Squadron logo also, if it adds to the mystery lol. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 It turns out that those Bronco's are aerial snipers. http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/3519/those-old-ov-10-broncos-sent-to-fight-isis-were-laser-rocket-slinging-manhunters The guy that wrote this article sounds vaguely familiar. Sounds pretty cool but I'm not clear on why you need at nearly 50-year old platform for this job. Seems like there are many aircraft (manned and unmanned) that could mount the latest and greatest FLIR and a couple of pods of 70mm rockets. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChesshireCat Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 We would have never won Vietnam without the ov-10 though. Give credit where it is due Equally armed and equally equipped there was always a better airframe around than the OV-10 in Vietnam. gary Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChesshireCat Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 Use was restricted by USAF in 1972 due to high losses from SAMs. Use was restricted by Marines during Desert Storm due to high losses from SAMs. I'm sure things will work out better this time. Go Broncos! Never thought I'd ever be saying that phrase....... Interesting when it's best chance of catching a SAM was north of the 17th Parallel. Chances of a SAM hit on the trail were probable next to zero as it didn't have the range to stay there long enough to get shredded. The answer of course was radar guided 37mm and 57mm cannon; assuming it could get there. On the otherhand the AC130 could, the AC123 could (and often did). The OV-1 made daily flights up the trail. In reality the airframe that was truly needed was the one we want to get rid of the most. The A10 Thunderbolt II. Of course working closely with an OV-1. gary Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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