Air Infantry?

[dtacs]

I've tried Air infantry (Pilot w/Chopper + 5 inf) once on Silent Eagle with an Mi-8 and it was incredibly successful. Having the ability to move around the map with sheer agility and ease allowed us to steamroll the US, literally being on every next flag before they could set up a decent defense. The chopper would be in a holding pattern away from the infantry, and react instantly to pick us up even whilst in a firefight. More importantly we had the ability to build a firebase at a drop location, and jump right back in the chopper after building.

Of course, this was before thermals were introduced, and markers still appeared at distance. I haven't tried it since, as most servers run the rule of having a chopper in a designated chopper squad.

My question is, has anyone effectively employed this in-game or have any effective strategies when doing it?

[Agemman]

Did it on Burning Sands yesterday. Both trans helo people were in TS with me. So we basically screamed a bit at them when we needed transport. We were at Water Treatment and capped it, got to Arar and capped it, back to Treatment to cap it, Airport and neutralized it. Only problem was that except for our armor everyone was wanking around inside the city, not being on either Arar or the Airport. So we lost Arar constantly.

But in general we got helicopters within a minute of asking for one and got transported all over the place. Was pretty awesome. Our general tactic was to come in bang on target quick as possible, kill off infs and then get supplies.

[cyberzomby]

I've been on a US Jabal game where the chopper pilots where on there game. They where already on there way when we neutralised a flag to drop of us to the next one. And the other squads had rides as well. Was very successful! You can out cap and out manoeuvre very easily.

I don't think you'll need to have a pilot in your squad. Just ask through Mumble if you can have on of the pilots to stay back and pick you up ASAP. Dedicate him to your squad through Mumble.

[Nitneuc]

As a SL I prefer 6 infantry and a pilot in a seperate squad but in the same TS channel (or different channel but contact through whispers). The only drawback is that the pilot can't see your squad marker but with square/keypad coordinates through vocal, communication is almost as fast and good.

[PLODDITHANLEY]

As zomby says perfect use of Mumble SL channel, all trans pilots should be init IMHO.

[L4gi]

Air infantry?

Yes, it is good.

[AK47 WARRIOR]

can the infantry in the chinook do a jump from the chopper it self ?

[Von_Gnome]

Yeah, Im been thinking about that. If you paraspawn, can you paradrop at objectives then?

[AK47 WARRIOR]

Yes great idea but what i meant is you go board the chinook when we are in the air we all jump from it

[PFunk]

Needing the Pilot in your squad is just like making a mini team. If your whole team is on the ball, especially with a CO that can actually give a coord to a pilot without screwing it up (I've seen that get buggered so badly by some COs) then it should be easy to have half your team air lifting around kicking ***.

The Air Mobile squad is a lot of fun to play too. It makes you guys feel like absolute badasses. Zip in, kill some guys who weren't expecting you, cap the flag, pop some gay looking smoke and hop on board for the next Wagnerian invasion.

It works and its pretty bad ***.

[L4gi]

gay looking smoke

This is the most important part of air infantry I think.

[PFunk]

This is the most important part of air infantry I think.

Don't forget to play Wham! on mumble while waiting for chopper pickup.

[ytman]

Air Calvary (the proper term) is perhaps the single most efficient and capable mobile infantry in the game. Largely unimpeded by terrain and fast and agile the Helicopter is perhaps the single best transport/support tool in the game. The ability to have penetration litterally anywhere into enemy lines should not be ignored.

What seperates a conventional use of Helocopters and Dtacs specific situation is the dedication and cooperation between pilot and squad. This can be obtained without the helocopter in the squad but communication/understanding between both aspects is paramount. Still this organizational tool shouldn't get in the way of the rest of the team as well. In effect this is only for excellent Pilots/Squad Leaders who can plan and infer long term.

One thing I dislike seeing in regards to Air Calvary is the 'Tard Drop'. There is a time and a place for hot drops and drops on enemy locations but not every drop needs to be within 100m of the enemy. Generally that is a terrible idea...


Also, if you spawn with a parachute you can use them again from a Helocopter. With the changes made to the German Paraspawning mechanics in Silent Eagle it should be a mandatory strategy considering elsewise its a huge huge waste of a lack of incendiaries. (While the old system was too random the new system is too limited, 5 minute air based rally points is a terrible excuse to remove Incendiaries)

[SGT.Ice]

IF we're talking more para rescue or PJs. Yea it's a sweet way to get around and get things done. Problem is most pubbers aren't aware of how effective having a dedicated team in your squad to go on the ground and support them. Mostly vets do it.