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The HF phone patch net handles official (commercial or DSN) and morale patches as well as radio checks for DOD stations worldwide with good propagation conditions. Cost of the phone calls are covered by the individual member. The MARS Phone Patch Net website has been redesigned for easier viewing and includes an article on net procedures and operation. There is a training video available as well as a flyer that can be posted to provide information to aircrews. Questions or requests like access to the FOUO video and current frequencies can be made through the contact form. The request should include a .mil email address. The website is at http://marsphonepatch.net It is our privilege and honor to support those who serve our country. Richard / AFN6PP Mars Phone Patch Net Manager

Long article but interesting (only perused some sections) - enjoy. Trends in Air to Air Combat Implications for Air Superiority John Stillion

As much of a pain as it might be, there just isn't a good way to balance speed/efficiency with control/security on the Air Force network. There have been decisions (ESD) that have made things worse, but it's never going to be as good as your personal systems. It can't be. The Air Force network has to be set up to account for the lowest common denominator. While everyone on this forum might be somewhat tech savvy, most people are not. The federal government also has a lot more restrictions than the private sector because of the nature of the information we deal with. As sad as it might be, outside of the IC, the Air Force has the best network in the DoD. From the cyber ops side, none of this applies, and the work is getting done by people that drink way too much energy drink and eat way too many hot pockets and pop tarts...which is exactly how it should be.

One of the comments to the most recent article posted: Right now this seems to be an Active Duty issue. But the real question is there really a sexual assault culture in the Air Force or is this just a wedge issue being pushed by the special interest groups? I ran across some interesting data from a DOD IG audit of cases from 2014. Air Force had 328 opened 2012 and closed in 2013. The main victim and subject (accused) age groups was 18 to 29, 70% junior enlisted. Both victim and subject had consumed voluntarily an intoxicating substance at a rate of 45 to 50 percent, basically both were probably impaired. At this time total force with civilians was 486000 and AD female population 58,560. Now the data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics for the same age groups focuses on females per 1000 students/nonstudents they show a rate of 6.1/7.6 per 1000 sexually assaulted. Using this model the Air Force had a sexual assault rate of 5.6 per 1000. The main theme running through both reports was intoxicant use by both victim and subject. As far as the Air Force is concerned Wingman may be not doing their jobs and looking out for their fellow Airmen. But our culture is on the whole is stronger than the civilian world." The commenter makes a great point.

Reprisal for IG complaints is protected by law. Don't be afraid of that. Keep doing what you are doing. Give AD leadership the honest and direct feedback their subordinates are not willing to give. Keep mentoring the young officers and enlisted. Trust me, nothing derails a shitty commander better than IG complaints. Use the system as it is designed to be used. Report the assholes and stop their progression. If you are the asshole, bitching about a good commander you disagree with won't derail him/her because the investigation will determine the facts. Most IG complaints are not substantiated because they are brought by disgruntled people who have no real grounds for formal grievance. If you see real misconduct, abuse of authority or incompetence, report it again and again. Anyone who reprises against you using protected communications and complaints (IG and Congress) will be fired. Believe me on that. The shoe explanation makes sense, thanks. I agree with everything you say here. Not bad for a nav.