General Discussion

Decade forecast from Stratfor, sounds plausible, world somewhat FUBAR somewhat functional. https://www.stratfor.com/forecast/decade-forecast-2015-2025 Here's the Jack Ryan part: It is unlikely that the Russian Federation will survive in its current form. Russia's failure to transform its energy revenue into a self-sustaining economy makes it vulnerable to price fluctuations. It has no defense against these market forces. Given the organization of the federation, with revenue flowing to Moscow before being distributed directly or via regional governments, the flow of resources will also vary dramatically. This will lead to a repeat of the Soviet Union's experi…

CBM folks, I caught wind of a recent incident where Ex-Lax was put into the donuts/cookies at the Ops Desk by some pilot... with expected results. YGBSM. What's the rest of the story? Pretty shitty situation!!

So I read this and it’s only 1 article in a Trump friendly paper but… it seems like Greenland needs some freedom, not necessarily kinetically delivered. https://nypost.com/2026/01/16/world-news/greenlanders-speak-out-against-danish-rule-they-stole-our-future/ Should we force this issue? A new arrangement with a new independent Greenland or no more NATO?

Thread to discuss.

So I saw an article about the latest shadow tanker being seized, this time by France in the Med. I did some quick Gemini searching, and that puts the seizure count at 8 in the last month, with European plans to ramp up this type of thing, and the Russian Navy beginning escorting tankers. The fleet size is substantially larger than I realized (estimates vary, but around 1000) so the overall impact is still small on a numbers basis, but military escort of tankers sounds like the portion of this story that matters. Lots of opportunity for a spark here. ReutersFrance intercepts suspected Russian shadow fleet tanker i...The French navy intercepted a Russian tanker on Thursd…

Well, they finally did it. ,

Hello all, My name is Dan Stevens, I'm a sales manager at National Bank of Kansas City's mortgage division. You may have noticed a new advertisement for National Bank of Kansas City this week in the forum. I just wanted to introduce us to you all by posting a short note. Over the last couple years, we've received several referrals from members in your group so we thought it would be good to help sponsor this forum and make it easy for anyone to contact us. If you have any questions about VA loans or our bank, feel free to reach out to me via this forum. you can also reach us at baseops.nbofkc.com Interest rates are at the lowest point I've e…

We’re gonna see a lot of news from this office in the next few weeks.

Could be two topics. Things appear to be ramping up on both fronts. First the DOW released video of an engagement that is clearly an AC-130J engaging a Narco Boat. The first round is the 105MM and it functions slightly low and aft. You can see a larger area in the center with most of the frag but it has "tails" off to the side which create the smiley face. You will note the sensor immediately offsets (two-shot) and begins engaging with 30MM from the MK-44 Bushmaster. The first 30MM round appears to hit a gas can or something flammable. Another 105MM prox with offset is a direct towards the end. AC-130-Narco_Boat_Strike.mp4 Next we have an engagement against what I …

Hey guys, after a little break from Baseops, was checking back in with you all to see what stuff I need to be aware of. Are there issues out there you think I need to know about or concerns, etc? Im not going to engage in debates or complaints about votes I have taken, but was curious if there is anything I need to be aware of. I'm still flying in the guard so I know about many of them, but wanted to see what was up Feel free to PM if youd rather, cant guarantee Ill be on often but Ill take a look occasionally. Hope everyone is doing well.

The War ZoneThunderbirds F-16C Fighting Falcon Crashes in CaliforniaThe jet's pilot safely ejected and was transported to an area hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Just thought I'd share the excitement w/ my fellow BOPS'ers. I went to Beale today and got a ride in the chase-car for the U2 (along w/ some sqdnmates) while he was doing some pattern work. It was AWESOME! One of the coolest things I've done in a LONG time. (I guess I don't get out enough...) It was very cool rolling down the RWY at 120 (in a GTO), right behind the U2. I've had the opportunity to do it for several years now, but never bothered. Now I wish I'd have done it sooner. If any of you ever get the chance to do it, do it. You won't be disappointed.

https://www.politico.com/news/2023/04/17/joints-chiefs-lorem-ipsum-lorem-ipsum-00092130 Just saw this article about candidates for CSAF. I know there is the MAF v. CAF argument and its surprising that the 2 people they mention have MAF backgrounds. Both seem to have legit credibility with TPS. Just curious on the opinions of the forum.

As to our current force structure, are we built to win the next fight(s) against China / Russia? I've been thinking a bit on this lately and a few articles I've read are making me believe we need a change. Peer competitors will not allow us to build up and then operate with impunity from MOBs near their territory or newly captured territory or areas they now assert control over in conflicts or high tension periods. One of the articles I read (WHY THE PENTAGON SHOULD FOCUS ON TAIWAN) and for the purposes of this thread's debate I will say we accept it. One of the arguments from article is that if we use this scenario to primarily prepare for, it will also pre…

According to U.S. Central Command; a Friendly-Fire Incident occurred earlier tonight over the Red Sea, with a U.S. Navy F/A-18F “Super Hornet” from the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) being Accidentally Shot-Down by the Ticonderoga-Class Guided-Missile Cruiser, USS Gettysburg (CG-64). Both Pilots were able to Safely Eject over the Water, and have since been Rescued; with one of the Pilots suffering Minor Injuries.

Final T-37 Checkrides are today at Sheppard. After this class graduates, there will be about one more month and then July 30th they will fly the last of the jets to the "Boneyard" (AMARG at DM). Large number of you all flew the Tweet, thought you'd want to know...

Beautifully done by the gents! IMG_9166 2.MOV

I have been watching this development over the last few days with many European News outlets calling these drones over airports “attacks” since they are disrupting critical airspace. It’s hard to judge the size but they appear to be much larger than the typical quadcopter size of hobby drones! https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g96gvql99o.amp

Just wondering who gets 'em, who gives 'em, and what point in the whole process does this take place?

I should be leaving the Air Force soon if they process my paperwork right this time. I spent a lot of time stuck in places and airframes I didn't want to be in. It was UPT and AMC. I didn't end up there due to bad performance, it was mostly due to luck and timing. I had a really hard time watching people who failed courses, struggled in UPT, got in trouble, get the assignments I wanted due to missing VMLs, waivers needed for instructor duty, changing rules, or other factors. I feel like my youth was just... wasted and I have little to show for it. I don't have much pride in what I accomplished and I never was truly engaged or challenged. I am angry I spent 15 years of my …

https://www.foxnews.com/tech/2016/09/19/air-force-names-futuristic-long-range-bomber-b-21-raider.html I'm just glad they didn't go for "Liberator II" or some other rehashed name.

Is there any pilots here that did not get a DP, but just a "p" on their PRF and still made major? Just curious at what this rate is roughly. Im in a platform where im going to compete with backend people for a DP and curious of what my chance of making major are if i only get a "p" Thanks [ 01. September 2006, 19:29: Message edited by: Toro ]

So what do y’all think the odds are that A) those 90K Russians on the Ukrainian border are there to invade and if they do, that B) we’ll do anything about it? I’m not sure we will. Putin has picked his timing perfectly to coincide with the fallout of our Afghan withdrawal IMHO.