Anyone with Navy/Marine/AF AGE experience?

[wdfifteen]

I'm working on a piece about an early '60s Cub Cadet that was built for the military. There are a number of theories of what it was used for, but I can't find anyone with first hand experience. I did have contact with a guy who had this to say:

"I was flightline GSE @ HMA-369 @ MCAS Futema 74 - 75 and was in the H&MS 36 GSE shop before that and we DEFINITELY had several Massey Ferguson tractors (painted yellow) for "light" tow tractors. AT H&MS 36 I actually split the rear to R&R the brakes on the MF that I eventually was assigned at 369. We didn't need tugs for Cobra's & Hueys (HML 367). My 856 could tow one of those
We did have tugs ( Ford 302's w/modified C4's) for the 46's & 53's and the C130's had "jumbo" tugs that we rarely seen at H&MS 36. We even had some WWII & Korean War era GSE gear that we rarely used but kept serviceable for "just in case". Being a winger you know that we never retired/scrapped anything. Wind broke assets got cannabalized into more serviceable assets "

I've lost contact with him and I don't know what half of that jargon says.
So I'm turning to the PPOT brain trust for answers to three questions:

1. Could someone please translate the above paragraph.
2. Has anyone seen or had experience with lawn & garden type tractors around aircraft?
3. what would a "light tow tractor" tow?
Thanks in advance.

[crustychief]

GSE = ground support equipment.
HMA= Marine helicopter attack squadrom
MCAS= Marine Corps Air Station
H&MS= headquarters maintenance squadron
Cobra= attack helicopter it has landing skids
Huey= medium helicopter / gunship it has landing skids
46 & 53 are larger helicopters that have wheels the 46 is the twin rotor cargo helicopter and the 53 is the big one Google ch 46 and mh53 for more info.
C130= propeller cargo aircraft, 4 engine.
Hope that helps.

[Hard-Deck]

What the Chief said.... Hooah!

[Seahawk]

Crusty is right on the money.

I did a tour as a Airboss on a "Gator" and I owned a lot of GSE, all painted yellow

In the paragraph you provided it is clear that they had tugs for the big stuff. My guess on the Cub Cadet is they used it ashore to tow smaller GSE equipment like start carts, nitrogen carts (for servicing struts, etc.), etc.

I have some POC's at NAVAIR that should know, they bought/buy all support equipment for the Navy and Marine Corps.

Let me know.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Crusty is right on the money.

I did a tour as a Airboss on a "Gator" and I owned a lot of GSE, all painted yellow

In the paragraph you provided it is clear that they had tugs for the big stuff. My guess on the Cub Cadet is they used it ashore to tow smaller GSE equipment like start carts, nitrogen carts (for servicing struts, etc.), etc.

I have some POC's at NAVAIR that should know, they bought/buy all support equipment for the Navy and Marine Corps.

Let me know.

Anything you can dig up would be greatly appreciated! PM sent with my email address.

[70SATMan]

If you have the manufacturer plate it should have the contract number on it. In some instances you can find the old contract specs on line by the contract numbers. Might also include the information on the intended use.