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AFsock

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    Light Airlift

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by AFsock
    Search function

    5 hours ago, Clark Griswold said:

    Grist for the mill:

    Churchill Navigation has a mod for a Cessna Caravan that could fill a light / utility aircraft role

    Pylons for sensors (no mention of weapons capability), removable sensor stations, open arrangement for cargo/pax 

    Buy it with a defensive system or capability to accept one, military radios, NVG compliant cockpit, etc... and assign to the Air Guard 😉

    Utility platform for light airlift, tactical ISR (fully/semi-manned with federated sensors), possibly light precision strike if hardpoints are/can be weaponized and just my two cents, a potential tactical C2/Sensor Overwatch platform for small scale GMTI / AMTI for dismounted movers and small RPAs / UAVs (ISIS used quad-copters fairly effectively against SDF / YPG)

     

    The AC-208? https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/ac-208-eliminator-armed-caravan-aircraft/

     

    Edit - another previous thread 

     

    Promotion and PRF Information

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    5 hours ago, K_O said:

    Yes. The idea is that better APZ folks get picked up.

    Not that it’s perfect, but I agree with it and it actually makes sense for the AF. It does, however, suck for folks who might have been picked up IPZ in the old system, but may now have to wait five years if APZers continue to outperform (or out-record) them.

    The question right now is if this  new IPZ window starts where BPZ or IPZ used to start.

    There's a slide deck out there that shows this year's 1BPZ meeting 1 year later and 2BPZ meeting 2 years later.  So it looks like a move to align eligibility periods to start when IPZ starts.

    But we're still chugging along like '07/'08 are meeting boards this spring so who knows what the aimpoint is.

    NVIS filter for EFB?

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by AFsock

    White phosphorus NVGs are also a lot more forgiving than the greens with screen glare.  If any of you are moving that way NVIS EFB filters may not be required.

    Add- I have never used an NVG filter, just night modes and low brightness.  Started with it on my knee now it's at my 10 or 2 o'clock suctioned on the window.  CSO laptops make more glare most nights.

    RAF Lakenheath/Mildenhall info

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Thelunchables said:

    Just found out I’ll be headed to Mildenhall early next year. I would appreciate any/all current info on life over there (last post was over 5 years ago), and how to navigate an OCONUS move. I have a few specific questions:

    1. Electronics - Will my stuff (laptop, stereo) work with just a socket adapter? I seem to remember people using transformers with their stuff. 

    2. Phone/Cable - Currently have T-Mobile but looking for advice on swapping out SIM card or should I just start a whole new plan for my wife and myself. I was planning on using a VPN and just keeping my Hulu and Netflix, any advice for or against?

    3. Housing - I’m looking to live off base and know about the houses are much smaller thing, any idea if I could get a decent sized place close to American standards with O-4 OHA? Any suggestions on how to look for a place to rent, app/agent?

    4. Car - I’m thinking about shipping my wife’s 4-Runner and selling my truck here and getting a beater for while I’m there. Is having a left-hand drive SUV a pain in the ass over there?

    5. Ops Tempo - I’ve heard the 135 guys out there are pretty busy right now, any update on what to expect?

    Thanks in advance for anything anyone has to offer. 

    PCSd out here in Feb/March.  If you're a facebooker look up Mildenhall/Lakenheath Q&A, yard sales, for sale, auto lemon lot etc. lots of info there.

    1. Electronics - Look at every electronic device.  Somewhere on the power cord, device manual, power brick, or internet you will find a voltage/frequency rating.  If it does not show an input within this range, I would consider ditching or storing it unless you really need it:

    England 230 V 50 Hz (source: GOOGLE)

    You'll get transformers provided (on base also has dual power) but they're loud, power hungry, and in our case, tripped the current protection in our home everytime we cycled it.  We're almost entirely on 230 capable electronics and only had to swap out 1 TV and pick up local lamps/ac machine/fans plus a toaster.  Plugs are different and some electronics are even mainland European style which makes for a lot of fun.

    2. Phone/Cable - Your phone is probably unlocked.  Take a look at 3 or Vodafone sim cards/plans.  Prices are ridiculously cheap for unlimited talk/text etc to the point where I used a monthly sim card and a phone with wifi sharing as a router until our internet was up and running.  We use express VPN.  It works great.

    3. Housing - We got here off PCS season but still found plenty of housing that supported a 4 member + 2 cat + 2 car O-4 cap in rural, suburban, and city areas.  Every property uses their own realtors (in some cases multiple per property) and some realtors are more DOD experienced/friendly than others.  I won't recommend any particular one, to include ours but you can spend days on AHRN getting leads and tracking down relevant realtors also listing the properties.

    4. Car - I would advise against bringing the LHD larger vehicle.  We've got a RHD Mitsubishi SUV of a similar size and a LHD Mustang.  Between hood sliding to escape parking garages gates to fearing toll roads when driving alone it's not a great experience most days.  Some dudes and their spouses don't mind keeping one for the local stuff.  Roads are also garbage and parking is a nightmare but if you really don't care about the 4 runner go for it (resell will be hard if you don't intend to take it home).  You can find comparable models here for $2-6K.

    5. Ops Tempo - No real input here.  I see a lot of them parked on the ramp all day and can't keep our guys AAR current so they must be doing something... somewhere... hopefully.

    Feel free to PM as well.

    Light Airlift

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by AFsock

    39 minutes ago, Tank said:

    Imagine if the USAF would use airframes already in their inventory!

    C-146, C-145, CN-235, DHC-6, C-208

    Crazy idea!

    Yeah it doesn't sound like these dudes even know these exist in the AF or its periphery.

    • Upvote 1

    Kadena information

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by AFsock
    Speeling

    1. I wouldn't, furniture and everything else is expensive there.  If it won't fit through a standard single US door it may be worth storing.

    2. I had no issues with any US electronics.

    3.  Seawall is about as easy as an off base drive gets.  0-3/0-4 housing rates will get you a very livable space, even single.  Start googling housing agencies, you can get an idea of what those spaces will look like.  Your unit/sponsor can recommend more.  I used Tokuzato housing back in the day.

    4.  It was very yen centric but I didn't have many issues with declined cards or too many transaction fees.  Not sure of your bank situation but hopefully they've embraced digital wallets out that way or you can use the ATM as required.

    5.  We hand flew the irreplaceable stuff and shipped the rest.

    Have fun out there!  We would go back in a heartbeat.

    Disclaimer- All information is from 11-15.

     

    MC-130J Info

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by AFsock

    Previous thread was from 2007 and lumped in with the HC, I'll try and keep this first post up to date.

    Command: AFSOC

    Crew: Pilot, CP, CSO, LMs

    Mission: Commando II flies clandestine, or low visibility, single or multiship, low-level air refueling missions for special operations helicopters and tiltrotor aircraft, and infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply of special operations forces (SOF) by airdrop or airland intruding politically sensitive or hostile territories. The MC-130J primarily flies missions at night to reduce probability of visual acquisition and intercept by airborne threats. Its secondary mission includes the airdrop of leaflets. 

    Selection: AFPC.  Out of UPT (T-38 or T-1)/UCT/LM Tech School and crossflow 

    Schoolhouse: Kirtland, NM (415 SOS - AETC)

    Training: Qual and Mission at Kirtland.  Timeline depends, but is a yearish (request updates from Kirtland only products)

    Operational Bases/Units: Cannon, NM (9 SOS); Kadena, Japan (17 SOS); Mildenhall, UK (67 SOS); Hulrburt, FL (Test, WIC, other)

    Assignments: CAO 5/19 you generally don't get a base assignment until you're at training (hence all the drop night "MC-130 to Kirtlands").

    Lifestyle: 

    Versus HC-130: 

    Source: https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104510/mc-130j-commando-ii/ and baseops forums.

     

     

     

     

    • Upvote 1

    Promotion and PRF Information

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    6 hours ago, dream big said:

    How does outplacement from school work? Is it based highly on your staff vector or is it based on your performance in school? Once people go to school the whole career process thereafter seems like secret squirrel magic. 

    SOF DT talked about it a little bit in a recent webinar.  Sounds like vector, needs, and timing.  Pry not too different with other DTs.

    2 Piece Flight Suits

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by AFsock

    55 minutes ago, HU&W said:

    New 36-2903 just hit the streets. Brown boots now ok with green flight suit. Leather A2 jacket now ok with 2 piece ocp flight suit.  Now legal to sew Velcro to 2 piece flight suit for mandatory wings.  Patch location swapped for hhq and squadron patches.  All effective immediately. 

    Posted elsewhere but I wouldn't say the A2 jacket w/ OCPs is not ok.  It's a visual assault.

    I can't wait to see what coyote and green bags looks like #marinecorps?

    • Like 1

    AC-130 AFSOC Questions

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by AFsock

    23 hours ago, 8Cylinders said:

    Sorry, yes I meant the AC-130J. I've been looking, just hadn't seen anything from the last few years about the J model specifically.

    Word. I've heard a number of different things about whether the J would be staying at Hurlburt or if they'd also be at cannon. Can you speak to that? Thanks!

    Not much to say, standing up an MWS is not easy but you won't know much better as a new guy.  Hopefully the Whiskey cross flows will have some good lessons learned from their experiences.  I'm not smart on the AC-J IOC status, but I've seen them at big multilateral exercises single ship, airshows/flyovers, and not anywhere else.  And they keep taking our new planes from Lockheed with the promises we'll get some more (yeah right) but I don't know if they have any fully mission capable airframes or crews.

    The Whiskeys can't fly forever, I would say Cannon is a when (not if).  My $ .02 on KCVS is available on here somewhere...

    At this point though it will be what it is.  Once you have a unit get a sponsor and at least some ambiguity on what your life will look like will clear up.

    Final thought - if gunship aren't for you, you'll get rehomed in AFSOC.  If AFSOC isn't for you, you'll learn that as well and still have opportunities elsewhere in the AF (but neither of those should scare you, it really is for the best).

    • Upvote 1

    AC-130 AFSOC Questions

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Just a point to ponder as you get settled- There are two J models in AFSOC and the slick as well but I'm guessing you mean AC-J (haven't heard anyone call it anything else).

    Do a search for AFSOC or the base for some previous posts... I've seen a lot of TDYs and dog and pony shows with the new gunship but I expect life to be pretty close to what it already was with longer loiter time and new toys.

    • Upvote 1
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