Anyway, just stumbled upon this today and wanted to share it with you all.  One of the best Hawg video's I've seen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBIORL_0h-8

CHINA'S ROVER HAS REPORTEDLY LANDED ON THE MOON

VIDEO STORY

Out

I’m assuming they are launching off of ships BVR to maintain enough loiter time over the base.

Protests into the third day, another chance offered by history to support Iranians who don't want to live in under a brutal theocracy:

https://www.redstate.com/slee/2017/12/30/iran-may-experiencing-world-changing-legitimate-resistance-movement-american-media-yawns/

https://www.cnn.com/2017/12/30/middleeast/iran-protests-intl/index.html

Many of us knew him in real life and it would be an understatement to say he was an American hero.  He was an incredible pilot, officer, mentor, weapons officer and a friend to all.  More importantly, he was a dedicated husband and father.  I had the honor of mentoring him throughout his career and was with him at Nellis the night he put his patch on...there are not enough words to describe how good of a person he was. 

This is an absolute gut punch and a reminder that every day is a gift, never miss a chance to tell a friend or family member you care.

*****

All - Adding an update along with the link to a GoFundMe for his family.  https://gofund.me/1ecfa239

As I mentioned above Matt "Macho" Anderson was a great human being.  He attended and played football at South Dakota State before going to OTS and then on to UPT.  Matt initially flew F-15Cs before he was TAMI-21'd to the U-28.  He absolutely crushed it as a U-28 pilot where he quickly upgraded to instructor, attended WIC and eventually became WIC Cadre at the 14th WPS.  He was known as the consummate Weapons Officer - Humble, Credible, Approachable.  More than anything he would want to be remembered as a great husband and father.  Macho leaves behind four children and an incredible wife.

If you are so inclined say a prayer for him and his children who were also injured in the accident.

Nickle on the grass my friend.

🥃

I also though we needed a thread to post all those things that make you say "WTF?"

Ft Pierce Woman Accused of Shoplifting and Brandishing a "Special Weapon."

 A Marine Corps pilot safely ejected from a fighter jet over North Charleston on Sunday afternoon and the search for his missing aircraft was focused on two lakes north of North Charleston, military officials said.

The pilot ejected and parachuted safely into a North Charleston neighborhood at about 2 p.m. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was in stable condition, said Maj. Melanie Salinas. The pilot’s name has not been released.

Based on the missing plane’s location and trajectory, the search for the F-35 Lightning II jet was focused on Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion, said Senior Master Sgt. Heather Stanton at Joint Base Charleston. Both lakes are north of North Charleston.

USMNT vs Wales today!   

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40694/amphibious-mc-130j-transport-is-on-special-operations-commands-wishlist

Ok, would this really be useful or just damn cool or both?  

Expeditionary logistics to remote islands or ships at sea, long range maritime CSAR, ISR, Patrol & Attack, probe and drogue AR (helos), etc...  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBE6KyXroeI

Saw this concept...

...and wondered with the advantages of V-tails for speed/drag, why not in airliners (yet)? 

What a great idea!

Link to story with more links: C-130 Anniversary

If someone doesn't like a story, too bad, piss off and go hate elsewhere.

Out

Edit, cause I ain't known for spellin months right.

https://aviationweek.com/defense/light-attack-advanced-training/canada-commits-pc-21s-replace-snowbirds-team

and I knew their demo team came from all career communities in the RCAF, kinda has to because of the size of the RCAF and need to cast a wide net then.

So I thought with the T-7 eventually becoming the universal trainer for the USAF why not re-equip the Thunderbirds with T-7s, open the application to all MAJCOMs and build a demo team from the entire AF rated pilot communities?

Why?

Represents the whole of the Air Force better; inspires, motivates and invigorates new pilots to reach for this opportunity thus bettering their communities; reduces the stovepipe cultural problem across the rated force and invigorates the demo team as a concept with this new direction.

Yeah, there’s some staff guy writing in that paragraph but I think it would be a good thing just because you’re telling the other guys, we want you to represent the flying skills and traditions of the Air Force in this very important way.

Training, costs, risk, implementation and all factors are important but I argue here for the concept, not details.

I yield the floor…

I’m not sure if the Base will accept that liability or not since they are implementing that policy.

If you have an extended stay in Ramstein I recommend the two day class they offer to get a German license. It cost €10.00 when I got mine years ago and is good for ten years.