Leaderboard

Get your ATP.

I don’t think killing Iranians is an appropriate level of response for them shooting down a robot. One of the advantages of RPAs is we can lose a few. Had they killed aircrew, let’s start collecting scalps. This is a perfect time to respond with non kinetic cyber options. Or non lethal kinetic options if those can be identified.

PickYour... nah. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

OK, while technically not a commander, the reasons behind Patrick Shanahan's departure as interim (and possibly permanent) SecDef irks the shit out of me... Honestly, I really don't have much of an opinion on his performance in that job; but the fact that he dropped out due to an incident where he not only wasn't charged after a full law enforcement investigation but the other party (his now ex-wife) was charged with assault (later dropped as a result of Shanahan's request) makes the entire matter a non-issue. Simply because he was accused of domestic violence, he is no longer a candidate for SecDef. The concept of presumption of innocence, the basis of our entire legal system, is being thrown out the window without any regard. Guilty until proven innocent doesn't even describe it, accused now equates to being guilty. Obviously he isn't the first and most certainly he won't be the only one who has been a victim of such circumstances, but the fact that this country's leadership isn't willing to stand up to such bullshit is intolerable. That is the reason why we cannot get quality leadership in such positions. Rant over.

Prior to late 2014, if you heard a flight of two with the callsign HUGGY in the Western US, you can be assured that flight lead did all of the paperwork, coordination and such to make it happen. Absolutely!. No way he would just file that every time he went cross country without having run it through the AFI wickets.

For locals, we could just make them up. Dude flew with FURLO last government shutdown. Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

I believe this explains everything when it comes to the Navy and this unfortunate situation:

As an 11F separating from AD all of this doesn't suprise me - but it's still hard to watch from the sidelines. 75% promotion rate for MSG dudes? Create some room at the B Course because we could really use these hard charging leaders in a MWS in CENTCOM. For me, ever since TAMI-21 I stopped listening to anything Big Air Force SAYS and started only paying attention to what Big Air Force DOES. For all those looking at a bonus or extending their ADSC past their UPT commitment I would fence in appropriately and do so only with very high SA. Get your ATP and be ready with options as you get close to your commitment. Best of luck to everyone!

327 Airlift Squadron (AFRC) Our patch is a hand holding five twos of spades. Originally, we were the 2nd Combat Cargo Squadron, the cards represented the five flights of the squadron. In the game of spades, after the jokers, the two of spades is the highest trump card, therefore the five flights represented by the cards were Winners. Fast forward to when our unit was stationed at Willow Grove, an unofficial motto emerged around the patch, "if you can't win...cheat!"

I remember when this was a helpful and inviting place for new guys. Jeez, the dude is not in the AF, why would he know anything about AFIs?! And for a civilian, the recruiter is their only access to any information about AD, guard or reserve, and that's the recruiters job, to inform them...so saying they're wasting the recruiters time is such a load of BS. You guys make me ashamed... Sent from my SM-N960U1 using Tapatalk

Libyan Air National Guard - what are my chances Hi everyone, long time lurker. It’s been my dream to fly the Mirage F1. I’m 45 years old, been flying KC-135s for the last 15 years. Hearing shift, slightly overweight, decent AFOQT and PCSM scores and even better Microsoft Flight Sim scores. What are my chances to fly the mighty Mirage F1?

One of my first Herc instructors told me the first step in any emergency was "wind your watch." I'm sure there will be a significant response, but I want it to be carefully considered and appropriately measured.

In! Guaranteed to be highly entertaining.

Would have loved to see the dumbfounded look in the face of the the guy (or gal) who got promoted BTZ with a P.

For all the young guys getting their first look at school, the best gouge I can give you is to be prepared to be really pissed off when you see some of the dweebs that make it over good bros.

Probably can’t fight it. Not a career ender. I’ve known multiple Q3 recipients go on to be great IP’s and Commanders. Get your story tight for the airline interviews. Don’t dwell on it. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

You know that everything is all about optics these days. There wasn't a DA in the Maryland/D.C. area that was ever going to prosecute Justice Kavanaugh for a 30+ year sexual assault claim that had no physical evidence. Even then they may have been a statue of limitation that would've prevented it anyway. As we all know that was solely the Democrat's Hail Mary at derailing his SCOTUS nomination. Just because Dr. Ford alleged it happened, doesn't make it true, something that Justice Kavanaugh adamantly denied happening. The Army just gave an 83 year old retired four star an LOR for allegedly groping another officer's wife. The only reason for this is optics in today's #MeToo environment, why else would they do it? They issued administrative actions against the guy because the burden of proof is so low, so they wouldn't have to actually prove the allegation beyond a reasonable doubt. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/06/13/army-reprimands-retired-general-allegedly-groping-officers-wife/2909438002/ This year the highest appellate court for the military (CAAF) ruled that military retirees can be recalled to active duty and court martialed for crimes committed after they retire. The Marines have done two already and the Army is currently court martailing a retired two star for allegedly molesting his daughter in the 80's. There isn't one person on this forum, unless you're unemployed, that wouldn't be fired from their job, or court martailed if still subject to the UCMJ, for any sexual assault or domestic violence allegation (not conviction). That's the name of the game in today's society. If you don't like someone you work for or in your chain of command, or you want to mitigate the punishment of any criminal activity you've committed, just accuse them of intolerable acts. We're trained to always believe the victim when we should be allowing due process to happen and doing thorough investigations.

Some of you may remember some of my story over the last few years. Quick recap, even tho I was a TPS grad/instructor nav, I was RIFd in 2014. I separated, became a GS and IMA, but then had it all reversed a year later through the BCMR (basically I should have never even been eligible to meet the RIF board). I knew when I accepted coming back that I was likely eternally screwed. I got lucky and I was put in charge of a new unit and got Sq/CC equivalent on my OPR/PRF. But that didn't overcome my weird looking records with a year missing "per SECAF", and not enough strats earlier on. My IPZ was moved one year behind my peers and I was still passed over, and then passed over again last year. But in the meantime I managed to get myself into a PhD slot, so I at least had that going for me. Well, against all odds, I made it this year! Not sure what the tipping point was, although I hoped it meant even more of my APZ bros were getting selected (from the stats it doesn't sound like it). So I know it doesn't help the folks who didn't make it this year, but there is hope out there! I know I'm not the typical example, but I had enough "negative" stuff in the record that I didn't think anything would overcome it (and neither did any of senior leaders I knew, and I only ever managed to get Ps because they were afraid even a DP wouldn't be enough). Sent from my SM-N960U1 using Tapatalk

It's also possible this commander is, as many are today, hyper-vigilant in protecting his own career. Say the everyday typical student buffoonery happens, but this time it happens in a critical phase of flight requiring split second reaction time to correct it. Perhaps it's compounded by weather, gusty winds, com noise, etc. Metal gets bent and the CC is notified. The CC sits down behind his desk and weighs his options: "This IP made a mistake that any one of us can reasonably make with a bad student in poor conditions. I can call this IP in, lecture him, put him on a couple CT sorties, and perhaps have him give a squadron safety brief. I could go to bat for him at the OG and WG meetings. But metal was bent on my watch. What if it happens again? I'm going to get a lot of face time with the OG and WG over this and what if they think I didn't go far enough? If I give him a CC-directed Q3, it may be a little overkill, but then I have a high-vis corrective action paper-trail that I can wave around in the meetings letting them know that I'm an aggressive problem solver, and perhaps this won't affect my next assignment or chances for 0-6."

Congrats to Shaft! He recently got his "card", and after many years of hard work is now a full-blown Initial Attack Tanker Captain. Well done, Sir!

Fvck off. Nobody here respects or likes you. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for posting. I’d never read that. Interestingly, according to that guidance the “1/xx shop chief” strat is valid, while the primary strat AFSOC uses appears invalid. We use a YG (year group) strat method and think it’s the bees knees, but other MAJCOMs apparently have no idea what it is. The whole system is so dumb.

The day after that goes into effect is when it comes to light 98% of the military is gay. Who knew. Of course that’ll piss off all the C-model drivers because their niche is being threatened and now they’ll just be seen as mainstream.

I am surprised there isn't more discussion here of what is shaping up to be the most important election cycle of my lifetime. I don't think the difference in the two political parties has ever been more wide. Democrats are offering everything under the sun in an effort to snag voters. Free healthcare for illegals. What happens when word gets out that illegal immigrants will get that free health care? More seriously sick illegals start showing up. Disease shows up. That will just add to the burden that is already being placed on this country. Homelessness is a huge problem in this country. Look at what is going on in California right now. Where do you house the additional hundreds of thousands of unemployed and homeless people who have crossed the border illegally? 100 billion dollars for blacks that are living in poverty, unemployed or underemployed who don't have the means to buy a house. This is meant to close the race/wage gap? The government has tried this before with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. And my guess is, regardless of race, if you are living in poverty, are unemployed or underemployed, your credit reflects that. Are we really going to give folks with bad credit and no job/low paying jobs 25 grand to buy a house they don't qualify for or can't afford? And is this not the definition of racism? Giving government funds to a specific race? And see my statement above about the homeless illegals. We will soon be giving them money to buy houses too. Free college tuition? No student debt? I think this one is brilliant on the part of the Democrats. They know that our education system indoctrinates young folks with liberal views. Especially, our colleges. The more young people they can get into that indoctrination system, the better. Aside from that, a bachelors degree becomes even more worthless because everyone has one and tuition rates skyrocket. Reparations for descendants of slaves. Reparations for gays. How does that work? How much and to whom? If the check is big, I bet you see a lot of new gay folks. I am not saying I would slob a knob for 50k but I know some folks who would. Medicare for all? Kicking 140 million people off of their current healthcare? Sh!t, it wasn't that long ago that the Dems were running on "keeping your healthcare and doctor". That sure changed quick. The good thing is that your average American is not on board with any of this. The only folks who are, already vote Democrat. These policies aren't swinging any votes to the left or away from Trump. So far, Trump has been guaranteed reelection. Rest assured, there are people hard at work right now working on the next fabricated scandal to take Trump down. It'll be even bigger than the Russian collusion story. They are just waiting on the right time to drop it. It'll be 6-9 months before the election and perfectly timed. That is all they've got. Free sh!t and made up scandals.

Open kimono time: I make unwanted sexual passes at my wife almost daily. Sometimes dressed as a jet pilot, sometimes as a guy, sometimes with an open kimono which is actually a towel too small to fit around my fat ass. Phew, glad we got that out there in case I talk to anybody ever. Wouldn’t want to tank anybody’s career.

Sorry to hear that; that was me two years ago, and me again last year. It forced me to make some career choice changes that I hadn’t planned on making for another 4-5 years. But I made the changes, jumped in the reserves and got a sweet civy job. This year my reserve PRF came back with a DP, oh and they didn’t reclaim any of my bonus and I got a big severance check to get out. Getting passed over sucks. But it opens other doors and opportunities. And there are people out here that still want you, need you, and value your contributions.

When you load up the tapes, you just have to plug this in first.

9 July is the public release for both the Maj and Lt Col board.

How about if we change our paradigm, and dual qualify the pilots at whatever base they are located at to fly them? I know it's crazy, but somehow I was able to fly both the U-2 AND the T-38 within a 6 hour period, and managed to do it relatively safely. And I'm sure there are pilots getting 50-75 sorties a year that might like some additional flying. We are the United States AIR Force. It should not be that hard to... you know... fly more. Especially during a pilot shortage.

You've never done something dumb? You're boring I guess. His hands are clearly not touching her. Does that make it right, noble, or couth? No. But if you can't see the distinction, I'd have to say (while admittedly not knowing you) that you're ignoring your own shortcomings to judge another. We can't complain about the one-mistake Air Force or an unforgiving society if we only seek forgiveness for our friends. There was plenty to dislike about Al Franken's policy and philosophy. Republicans couldn't beat him in the battle of ideas, so they took the easy road, after years of Democrats doing the same to them, I might add. Doesn't make it right, or healthy.

This "new normal" of guilty-until-innocent-but-still-treated-guilty is in large part a result of politics becoming team sports, where winning is the desire, instead of compromise. I think... How many Republicans defended Al Franken when he was drummed out for nonsense? How many excuse Trump when he says things that are obviously false? Both sides are doing this because we've prioritized winning over the truth. I don't think it's a new phenomenon, but the internet, social media, and the 24 hour news cycle has made it worse. Each side is convinced the other is stacking the deck, so they take their wins wherever they can, even when it's disingenuous.

If it's so vital to their interests, maybe they should step up and defend their interests... Or press the UN to do something if it's a global interest.

AMC is a chickenshit organization, no doubt, but that guy was over the grass at 10-20’. The left truck landed well right of centerline. This wasn’t a case of showing off by a talented pilot in front of a crowd, this was (or looks to be from that angle) a heinous skills mistake followed by a poor decision not to go around.

Absolutely to doing a 20yr VA loan! The benefit to amortizing it as a 20yr vs doing a 30yr and paying like a 20 is the interest savings. I just used a file I was working on with a loan amount of 328K. Interest rates are essentially the same between a 20 and 30yr VA so the only difference is the loan time frame. If you did a 20yr and never made an extra payment you'd pay 118,512 in interest. If you did a 30yr and paid it off in 20yrs you'd pay 160,695 in interest. It's a common misconception that just paying it off earlier will make a 30 like a 15 or a 30 like a 20, but that's not really the case because of the fixed amortization schedule for mortgages. The best way I describe it is for every extra payment you make you're paying the loan off backwards...you're paying payment 360, 359, 358, etc. Those payments save you virtually no interest because all the interest is front loaded. Will you save money if you pay off your house early...absolutely, but you'd save more if the loan was amortized over a shorter period of time for the start. 15yr and 20yr mortgages are a lot of extra money to commit to every month so many people do the 30yr and pay it like a 15 or 20...definitely not trying to talk anyone out of that...just a little education on how the math really works. Cheers! Jon Cell: 850-377-1114, jk@mythl.com

I did, because he’s in the wrong thread and clearly didn’t UTFSF. Your chaff is more harmful to Base Ops.

I think the frustration is that that the stratification happens when you're a senior captain, and if you're slightly below average or a late bloomer, well, you're fate has already been written and you just don't know it. On the flip side, if someone is on the golden path, they're pretty much set unless they are a complete piece of crap, and even then they may get to wreck havoc as a sq/cc before the AF figures out they are toxic

WTF? Who are these people?? You should in no way, shape, or form expect anything like that! Anyone with any kind of viewpoint even remotely similar to this needs to be anonymously set on fire. ~Bendy

A yuge “2” on this, and a slight modification if you’d permit me: Don’t let the USAF in any way define your worth as a person. Ever. It’s a f—king job. Period. As much patriotism and pageantry as they try to attach to it...it’s still only a job. Promotion boards are a question on politics, luck, and timing. Two out of three usually required to pass through the gate. There are other jobs available that only have one basic requirement for progression-the date you were hired. I’m not advocating feeling sorry for yourself dude or dudette. The company just told you officially where you’re going. Now it’s time to take that information and move forward. Best of luck.

It looks like they screwed up the turn and got closer to the ridge than planned. We don't necessarily have the thrust or energy to pop over a ridge if the turn goes bad, so that leaves bank. The jet keeps flying, and if they did overbank, they brought it back pretty quickly. Better to overbank than be a smoking hole in the side of a mountain. Keep positive g and everything stays where it's supposed to on the back. 60 degrees of bank at 300AGL is routine in the -17. I don't see a straight line correlation to the Alaska crash, unless the overbank was intentionally planned/flown and the crew was hotdogging for the camera. Funny how the opinion of this event (OMG overbank Q3 the crew and ground them) is so different than the KC-46 landing halfway down the runway way off centerline (eh just a debrief item, stabilized approach is for dummies).

Maybe they worked, maybe they didn't, but I wouldn't expect anything else from RT.

Timeless Tips for Simple Sabotage from 1944. A lot of this is eerily familiar. Additional nuggets on page 28 of the PDF. General Interference with Organizations and Production Organizations and Conferences Insist on doing everything through "channels." Never permit short-cuts to be taken in order to expedite decisions. Make "speeches," Talk as frequently as possible and at great length., Illustrate your "points" by long anecdotes and accounts of personal experiences. Never hesitate to make a few appropriate “patriotic" comments. When possible, refer all matters to committees, for "further study and consideration." Attempt to make the committees as large as possible - never less than five. Bring up irrelevant issues as frequently as possible. Haggle over precise wordings of communications, minutes, resolutions. Refer back to matters decided upon at the last meeting and attempt to re-open the question of the advisability of that decision. Advocate "caution." Be “reasonable" and urge your fellow-conferees to be "reasonable" and avoid haste which might result in embarrassments or difficulties later on. Be worried about the propriety of any decision - raise the question of whether such action as is contemplated lies within the jurisdiction of the group or whether it might conflict with the policy of some higher echelon. https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive/2012-featured-story-archive/simple-sabotage.html

Imagine if the USAF would use airframes already in their inventory! C-146, C-145, CN-235, DHC-6, C-208 Crazy idea!

If they would just let him fly more and not worry about additional duties he would have stayed.

Ugh. Get rid of this dude. He's clogging up the activity feed with this stupidity.

Arashi’s garlic rice or CoCo’s.