Who here is familar with real Navyship Helo ops?
 

Just a quick question for anyone that knows helo operations. What is really meant by "Alert Stutus 5/15/30"

The way the FFG is designed:

Alert 30 = in hanger but initially prepped
Alert 15 = on deck and being prepped
Alert 5 = engines hot and ready for liftoff

Does this reflex RL procedures? Anyone with insight, would be appreciated.

The question came up today during a mission where some ships were transiting a OpArea with helos on alert status 5, but if "Alert status 5" is represented as helo engines on and hot, it didn't seem realistic for a ship to have its helo on such a high alert indefinantly....

Well I don't know the exact details, but no ship has their helo at 5 minute alert status all the time. 5 Minute alert status is for when immediate war action is expected but not 100% guaranteed. Otherwise, you would leave it at 15 or 30 minute alert status. 15 minute alert is the best option when you think you will need to launch the helicopter but don't want to wear down the crew or fuel by having the engines on.

We used to run at
Alert 60 (default cruise mode Helo in the hangar)
Alery 30 (Helo tied down, rotors spread, us maintainance guys in the hangar trying to sleep, etc etc)
Alert 15 (Helo tied down, rotors spread and weapons and fuel loaded. Aircrew on standby in the hangar)
Alert 5 (Helo tied down, aircrew strapped in, aircraft electrical power on)
Alert 2 (Helo on decklock, rotors turning)

Admittedly this was on an ANZAC frigate, using a decklock (not the RAST/Beartrap the US uses) and our procedures were a bit different to theirs. Alert 2 wasn't often used, we would normally go from Alert 5 to launch.

That's some good information, thanks. :up: