Right Seat Driver

Did this sale have to be approved by the US government as the RSAF 135s were FMS? I get the article said the jets won’t have to be de-militarized because they aren’t “US military jets.” But IIRC every FMS jet sale has to be approved. The last I heard, Uncle Sam wasn’t too keen on the RSAF jets going to a civilian operator. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Funny you mention ASBC. I was on leave visiting my wife at ASBC and decided to drag my hung-over self to the field to watch her flight play flicker ball (or whatever it was called). After a few minutes of me trying to figure out WTF was going on the ASBC Sq/CC walked over and started taking to me. He made it clear I had to go to ASBC after UPT and before the FTU or else I wouldn’t make Major “because the folks on my O-4 board would be ASBC grads and would notice the lack of PME.” The joke’s on him. I heard he was quietly showed the door as an O-5 and here I am as an O-4 that only went to Maxwell for SOS. Little victories. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

I agree some people milk the system, that’s inevitable. But I’ve known a few dudes who were 90-100% that looked able bodied. However, they’re all getting hip and knee replacements in the next few years, as well as spinal surgery to replace buldged disks and to fuse vertebrae. YMMV. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

The phase out date is for the ABUs but there are caveats for the coyote t-shirt and boots with the green bags. I hope the green bags stay forever, I cannot stand the two-piece and have worn it only once...when I was trying them on the check the sizing out. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

The best part about the ASCS simulations is the disclaimer saying that AU realizes the scenario may not be a realistic representation of actual aircraft capabilities. Apparently a Viper can CAP for 6-9 hours without needing gas but a B-1 can’t fly 69 miles away from a tanker track before it bingos out. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Never gets old! Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

I get it, but the execution was piss poor. I had just PCSd to EGUN just before Christmas 2013 and got a phone call telling me to show up the next day for a CC call to announce the AF would cut 36,900 people ASAP. There’s no real way to win other than being honest with the troops. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

I was a T-1 guy and didn’t learn how to fly as a crew until I got to the 135 FTU. I was also one of the first classes that had 28 sims and 3 flights. A lot dudes got more than 3 flights because they didn’t get enough time in the jet to go to their checkrides. And that syllabus passed the buck to the Ops units. I think the FTU is now 5 or 6 rides and a check. Some jets fly like the sim, the 135 isn’t one of them, IMHO. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Part of the problem is there were 69 caveats in the PSDM to the Fly Only track. The lack of dudes signing up wasn't much of a surprise around the squadron.

And fuel savings as well. Just like they took off the galleys, garbage cans, passenger EPOS and in some cases the troop seats. Only for AMC to release an update a year or so ago saying that taking 690 pounds off the jet did nothing to save fuel.

Shit, SAC had a hard enough time convincing the Air Force to put new motors on the KC-135. The first KC-135R model rolled out in 1982, about a year after NASA flew the KC-135A winglet tests. By that time the oldest jet was 26 years old. I'll take the new motors over the winglets any day. Not to mention, the KC-135 never got a second ACM because it added too much weight and cut down on total offload capability.

My data on Mildenhall is dated (2013-2016) but the vast majority of people, single and married wanted to extend our tours. Most of us and our families would have gladly stayed as long as we could. A few of the bro’s wanted to get back CONUS ASAP but I’d say that was the vast minority. Also, first assignment dudes had a very different perspective than second of third assignment guys. A lot of the young CPs and ACs thought they were getting worked pretty hard Ops wise. It is true things got really busy, but I’d take EGUN busy over McConnell busy. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

The K might be a stretch. I'd call it a T-46 until everything gets sorted out. And people will probably be promoted, not fired.

Being stationed at EGUN was an awesome experience. We loved every minute of it even though the ops tempo was pretty rough. And for context so I'm not seen as the whining USAFE tanker dude, my assignment prior to EGUN was McConnell. We ended up going with 3 for cell service that was pay as you go monthly so no early termination fee, plus they were extremely cheap on the continent. 3 would charge extra kind of like roaming, but some countries did not have roaming charges (Italy and Germany IIRC). Cell coverage is spotty in the UK, but 3 was the only company that allowed wi-fi phone calls to and from your 3 UK phone number. That was as of 2016 so more companies may have started that also. Enjoy England, it was a great assignment!

Devil's advocate, not every non-flyer deserves to be promoted. With that being said, when the promotion rates for rated dudes are 6.9% less than the non-flyer's it sends a message to the rated force. The Air Force is in the business of projecting power and blowing shit up through airpower. I can't speak for promotion rates in the Army, but I am certain my few Army Infantry buddies would have the same complaints if the combat arms branches in the Army promoted at lower rates than the non-combat arms branches.