Fallon, NV.

Went to observe a day CAS event, but it was all controlled from the air. I got to play DASC, which was good training. I still learned a lot from just watching the whole thing work.

That night I went out for night CAS with the SEALs. We moved from the normal control area, which is about 4000 meters away, to one about 2000 meters away. I got 11 controls of F-18s dropping Mk 83 bombs. Bomb impacts at night are rather spectacular. Overall, I think it went well. Sitting through dozens of missions in 29 Palms and even Fallon is great training. I had a good feel for the flow of things, and once I got past the uncertainty that comes with doing anything for the first time, I found that I could do it well. The SEAL LT cautioned me not to use so much ‘cool pilot voice’.

Doing anything outside at night is about seven times harder than doing the same thing during the day. It is tough to hold the flashlights, talk on the radio, use the NVGs, write down information, and generally control the fight in the dark, all while making sure that you don’t drop anything because the desert is VERY dark at night, and you will never find what you dropped.11 controls, all night.