Squadron Bar

It was announced this afternoon that the commander was relived November 20th because of his "Risk management Style" Nice move Tally...At least she is "personally grateful for his dedication to the 2017 season."

Hi all, especially any Lakenheath folks. I am a published aviation photographer and as the wx looks great this week I will be in the Mach Loop (aka 'The Roundabout'), this Thursday 11/30/17. Appreciate any heads up, happy to send any high-res pics in return. Either contact me through this site, or via email to alexjlovell@hotmail.com. Examples from previous visits here - https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexlovell2011/albums/72157629639518560 Thanks in advance Regards Alex

A colleague who is F22 pilot for the Virginia ANG had honor of flying a Phantom at Eglin. He flew the aircraft we had at the reunion. Here is the F-22 pilot’s thoughts on flying the F-4: I flew your jet a couple days ago (see attached). I had a little trouble getting the engines started, so I climbed out and shoveled some more coal in the back; after that she fired right up. Ground ops were uneventful, although I couldn’t figure out why the cockpit smelled like body odor, Jack Daniels and cigars…and that was BEFORE I got in it! By the way, what’s with the no slip crap on top of the intakes, it’s like you have permanent icing conditions due to that spray on rhino t…

I have been with this board since shortly after its inception - I joined as a young Captain and tapered off after retiring two years ago as a Lt Col. Due to my departure and shrinking level of current USAF knowledge, my contributions to this board have diminished. But it occurred to me after a PM from a board member that myself and others in my situation still have a valuable contribution to those who are looking towards a post-AF career. So I'm starting this thread as a specific Q&A for airline hiring, with emphasis on direct connection to guys working for the airlines who can mentor and assist. I am not posting this in the "Leaving the Air Force for the Airl…

So the douche was an ex-USAF type who was Court Martialed and discharged. Of course he was using an AR-15...let the politicization begin. For those with CCWs how often are you carrying? I am to the point I feel naked without mine, even at my son's soccer practice.

Is there a specific process that anyone knows about or has been through as far as having them removed as a VA approved builder? VA doesn't have any great info on it it seems and am getting transferred to every department.

Hi all, Havn't had the time to post on here for a while due to work commitments but still an avid follower. For those of you that don't know me I am a UK based lowfly photographer that frequently 'haunts' the Mach Loop in Wales, UK. If you are after any pics or videos then I should be able to locate these for you if you can supply tail #'s and dates etc, or if you are able to give a headsup of intentions then I am happy to make the journey up to Wales to get some decent photos. My work can be found on Flikr (alexlovell2011). Thanks in advance Alex

Moments away from the best time of the year. 48 hours away from one hell of an opening season game. Go Seminoles.

Hey y'all, I was a little more active on here a few years back when applying to guard units but have lurked off & on since then. I live in Houston where, as most are aware, we had some pretty gnarly flooding from Hurricane Harvey. As shitty as the situation has been for so many in the area, it has largely brought out the best in people. My wife and I were lucky enough to be spared from anything serious, but homes just a few blocks away were inundated with floodwater. Watching USCG helicopters snag folks from rooftops just a few streets over was pretty surreal. The other day, I watched a -130 refueling a couple pavehawks directly over my neighborhood. I grew up around …

This morning, I was reading an interesting Kellogg study on military service and its influence on CEOs (https://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/faculty/benmelech/html/BenmelechPapers/MilitaryCEOs.pdf). As I start planning for my enroute descent to retirement (it's inevitable at some point), I'm wondering what experiences and advice the grey beards have for the transition. The airlines thread is awesome, but that's not the life for everyone. What other options are out there for a pilot with some staff stink, a TS, and an online MBA?

Trying to find the name of, or a link to, an old Nat Geo/Discovery channel style documentary about some Green Berets who were scouting out a road in Iraq when some farmer's kids found 'em and called the Iraqi Army in on their position. Just so happened there was a flight of F-16s going by who heard their cries for help on the radio and cluster bombed the fuck out of the Iraqis right as they were moving in on the friendly position. This came up in conversation today. I remember seeing it as a kid clear-as-day but I can't find it for the life of me now. Googled the crap out of it but no luck, just a bunch of cell phone video of GWOT stuff and one about a guy who used a…

What do you think about a Space Corps? https://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/u-s-lawmakers-formally-propose-a-space-corps-air-force-1796352188 Recently released concept video from congress:

https://www.aol.com/article/entertainment/2017/06/17/stephen-furst-animal-house-and-st-elsewhere-actor-dies-at-age-63/22439964/ That movie really is a classic. Godspeed, Flounder.

Just going to leave this here... https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4585716/Couple-sex-Manchester-Ibiza-Ryanair-flight.html?ito=social-facebook

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

Looks like a night out in Bogota gone bad for these Marines. Think they'll keep their wings? https://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/05/31/marines-are-drugged-robbed-after-bogota-pub-crawl-could-face-charges-report.html

Happy Memorial Day fuckers. Tammy Archuletta, Mark Graziano, Mike Dodson, Bruiser Bryant and all the others I didn't know well.

Anyone going to Hangar 24 brewery AirFest in Redlands CA this weekend? The beer is outstanding and so looks the lineup. hangar24airfest.com

Win a Champ! $50/ticket or $125 for three tickets. Only 4,000 tickets total, so odds are good. It's a 1946 LSA 7AC Champ that I haven't flown much in recent years due to military moves. I finally found a better purpose for it. Get raffle tickets here. Some friends and I created a non-profit, Vets to Jets, to fund flight training grants for veterans and enlisted folks. The idea is that vets/enlisted have to either make life-changing decisions or pay some high hurdle costs to get into flight training (Post 9/11 GI Bill does not fund private pilot unless at an institute for higher learning). Vets to Jets is a 501(c)3 organization. Please pass this on to folks you t…

Hoping for the best.

https://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20170331/muslim-group-urges-afsoc-to-sever-ties-with-counter-terrorism-instructor CAIR can suck a pig dick. If you are active duty or a GS I HIGHLY recommend the DIT course as well as most of the offerings at the Special Operations School.

My wife and I are currently trying to build our house in FL... pretty much the most miserable experience ever. Looks like we might actually close this time but have a question on our storage. We moved here last week of Oct and put most everything in storage. We got the extension until 1 May I believe, but the house won't be done until about September. From the few folks I've talked to, building a house is not a good enough reason for more storage time. He said he's currently paying $750+ a month for storage and the government is no longer liable for damages. Are there any reasons that an additional extension could be granted?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2017/03/05/im-never-reenlisting-marine-corps-rocked-by-nude-photo-scandal/?utm_term=.20b8e8846573 A couple of thoughts: 1. Trying to change young, hormonal, healthy men who you want to be very alpha in order to do their jobs is stupid. 2. This is why we can't have nice things. 3. Don't be stupid on the internet. 4. Lots of collateral damage impending.

For those going cross-country westbound this weekend, Hangar 24 Brewery is having the grand opening of their new Lake Havasu, AZ location. B17 should be there, plus a number of airshow performers hanging out. Good times... especially if you show up in a military aircraft in your flight suit. If you're military and will be there, drop me a note. The beers are aviation-themed, and the artwork on the labels is classic. Even better... the beer is outstanding. https://www.facebook.com/Hangar24Havasu/ https://hangar24brewery.com/index.htm

The investment showdown thread seems to be more focused on types of investments and strategies. I thought a thread to discuss specific stocks and rationale might be interesting to some. Stocks I have been watching as of late: 1. Western Digital (WDC), mainly because they bought Sandisk (I bought Sandisk years ago in the low single digits and held it through four splits and the acquisition), I ended up with a large number of shares from the acquisition so I continue to follow. 2. Cisco (CSCO), This is an interesting beast because it appears their software/cloud sector is poised to surpass their hardware division. Interested in the thoughts of others…