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"2, I'd rather burn than hear your voice." -Rainman

Not in the U-2. A few seconds past break release, you go, unless the Cuisinart stops blending completely. I'm go-oriented in the T-38. My technique for T-38 ops used to be abort if you were below bug speed. Then it was abort if below 100 KIAS. Then it was abort if the burners hadn't lit Then it was abort if the engines won't start. Much easier decision since you're going so slow.

As much as I'd love to insert a tanker joke, this sounds like they simply get the experience needed to be an expert in their role and teach others, which is what originally the WIC program was....take a good IP, give them a stellar education to take back and teach others to continue teaching others. If the USAF could afford it everyone should get the education a patch gets at WIC but it can't so they "should" pick the best person for the job to take and give back. That's why even a smart proficient pilot who is a D-bag should never be a patch...and also, one of the best IP's that I ever flew with was a WIC washout. Go figure.

I could write an entire paper on how the mobility Air Forces delegitimize flying skill. But the bottom line is this: for the most part, you don't have to be good to accomplish our mission. Because you can be quite bad at the actual skill of flying and still get the mobility mission done, guys are able to focus their early careers on superfluous shit, while maintaining only a baseline competency in the jet. Since this strategy optimizes your chances for promotion, especially within Mobility, these people end up in positions of power. And since they weren't competent in the jet, they perpetuate the idea that skill in the jet is not as important as the skill of paperwork, and being an exec, and other non flying related tasks. Since the reality is that you can be bad in the jet and get the mobility mission done, this mindset is able survive. What commander who got where they are by being terrible in the aircraft is going to promote a squadron culture of being skilled in the aircraft? Because people are generally proponents of the way they got to their position in life, these weak pilots deemphasize skill, sometimes actively.

I recently volunteered for a UPT assignment after receiving an email from group leadership saying they were looking for volunteers. I told my Sq/CC I was thinking about it. Before volunteering, I emailed my functional to ask some questions about the assignment (timing, ADSC obligation, etc.). The functional asked how interested I was. I said I was, and would think about it. She said to let her know if I wanted the assignment. I emailed her back a couple days later, saying that I was volunteering, and that she should hear about it through my chain of command soon. I emailed my Sq/CC and let him know I wanted to volunteer. He said ok. Well, today he pulls me aside and says I really pissed off OG leadership. They think that I went behind their backs to get the assignment and didn’t use the chain of command. They thought I should have asked my questions to them. I always thought that it was the job of functionals to keep you informed about assignments, amongst other things, and be there to answer questions. That’s exactly what I did. I still kept my chain of command on the loop as I was thinking about it, and when I made the decision. Now I’m slightly worried that my OG will bone me over, even though my functional said I’m g2g for the assignment. Did I do anything wrong? Is this something I could go to the IG with if they screw me over now?

Well played.

From what I've seen, they come up with the tanker plan for the package, who gets what and when, who gets what when a tanker falls out, how to keep everything on timeline and prevent gaps in coverage due to fuel issues, and integrating with the weather shop to find clouds IOT place the tracks.

Turning left, finding weather .... you know, tanker stuff .... only better.

Write the takeoff time and tail number on your hand, problem solved

Part of it is that I believe Christians are tired of being the last group that can be maligned, abused, and discriminated against. World-wide, and in America. I'm not a very good theologian but if these four young Airmen "took up their cross", and truly repented for their actions, Jesus would forgive them. Duh. The feel-good story would be if one or all of them turn their lives around, enter the seminary, and become clergy. Maybe one of them will come back as an AF Chaplain and be able to relate their story to other Airman. Wouldn't that be great, LR? https://www.osv.com/OSVNewsweekly/Story/TabId/2672/ArtMID/13567/ArticleID/13934/Former-Satanist-becomes-Catholic-leader-teacher.aspx But save me the "what would Jesus do", WRT to the military's decision. That's a decision for the pastor and the local congregation. I imagine you might be the second person (right after Vertigo), to scream bloody murder if the the AF based their decision on "WWJD?". The AF shouldn't be in the business of offering absolution to these Airman. It take a lot of time, money, and resources that can be used for... you know... killing people trying to kill our way of life. And as a side note: I'm not interested in helping out people that identify with the Satanic lifestyle. It's contrary to what I believe are the characteristics we should look for in military people. Just my personal preference. YMMV. Not everyone that actually gets into the military should be there. The screening process isn't perfect. I'm of the opinion that these four slipped through, and now that they've been identified, they should find a new career. Another point: with ages of 18, 18, 19, and 20, they haven't been out of Basic Training that long. If they principles and discipline of BMT have already been discarded by them... especially the two 18 year olds... I believe there are some serious character flaws that disqualify them from military service. I wish them the best in life, and truly hope they turn their lives around. But I'm personally not interested in putting them through AF-sponsored rehab. They had their chance at a military career, and they porked it away. Adios.

Even if BUFFs, 'Nam, bombing, and SAC are not your thing, this was a very well written book and very engaging. In the cliche, it was a "page turner" that was hard to put down. I especially liked the parts described from the bad guys point of view based on interviews with the actual SA-2 operators. I read this book based on a recommendation in this thread from like 5 years ago, so it is nice to see it get bumped again. It's also fairly small, so it wouldn't take too much of a commitment to tackle this and gain a deeper appreciation for bomber/SAM operations, along with the idiocy of bad airpower tactics in Vietnam.

Everyone should read this book. Blew my mind the rice bowl of politics that translated into a total Shit-show for the first few days of Linebacker II B-52 Ops. Is this required reading for Maxwell? Heck, Navy folks should read this as well. https://www.amazon.com/Eleven-Days-Christmas-Americas-Vietnam/dp/1893554279 ATIS