Squadron Bar

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.

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:

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…

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?

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 …

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

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

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.

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.

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…

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…

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

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."

Am I completely losing my mind, or is the “Leaving the Air Force for the Airlines” thread gone? Is big blue trying to squash the exodus by quietly censoring BO.net? We wouldn’t want to allow those still on active duty the resources necessary to make an educated decision about their career paths (that happens during mid-term OPR feedback). What am I missing?

https://www.npr.org/2017/12/15/570810197/u-s-army-green-berets-accused-from-within-of-lowering-standards An unnamed SFQC cadre member wrote a letter talking about how the culture at the SFQC has changed to drive graduation numbers up instead of getting the right guy for the job. Pretty damning accusations that sound very similar to a lot of the complaints I hear from the UPT bros. I think the author(s) raise interesting points with not too much in the way of emotional grandstanding. Also, the response from the 2 Star is interesting in his defense of treating the objective measurements as diagnostics and not pass/fail events. Thoughts?

To all who are home celebrating with family and friends, may you have a wonderful Christmas and all the best in the New Year! For those who are elsewhere, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Please be safe, and when you return the first round is on me! Cheers! M2

New thread for Iranian happenings. 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

Happy New Year gents! I have been trying to figure out for the past month whether I should opt in to the new retirement system or not. I have a sort of nonstandard situation, which I'll explain, so finance at my base has no fricking clue and I haven't found anyone in the same boat as me to compare notes with. I know many of you guys are financially way smarter than I am so maybe you can help me figure this out. OK here's what I'm working with. I'm an O-3 commissioned in June 2013, but I was enlisted in the Army reserve for several years before that. My reserve time got me 7 good years towards a reserve retirement, and a few hundred AD days. So…

More than likely I'll be heading overseas in the near future. Is it worth taking your car with you? I've heard through the grapevine that your car will get dinged up in the 3 months it takes to get there and then you have to deal with converting it to meet the host country's regulations. Then when you go back to the states I assume you have to undo the modifications you had done? The roads are also smaller than here in the states, so would a midsize sedan do ok on their roads? TIA.

First commander of the Space Shuttle flew west 5 Jan 2018. Fast facts: Naval Aviator, flew F-9 Cougars & F-8 Crusaders on fleet tours aboard USS Coral Sea & USS Forrestal, Navy TPS Grad, 42 year career with NASA, Flew on Gemini, Apollo and Space Shuttle missions. From his Wiki page: John Watts Young (September 24, 1930 – January 5, 2018) was an American astronaut, naval officer and aviator, test pilot, and aeronautical engineer. He became the ninth person to walk on the Moon as Commander of the Apollo 16 mission in 1972. Young enjoyed the longest career of any astronaut, becoming the first person to fly six space missions (with seven launc…

Gents, As I sit here from my whiskey fueled perch, pondering the state of the nation, and pissed that the pats didn't lose, I'd like to ask your opinion. What if someone was to run for office on the following premise, accountability. "You all voted in to office people who got this business, our government and country, into mass debt, and continued war spending, monetary, and physical." (it's cumbersome wording, whatever, you get it, human cost) Those elected representatives (for the most part) have not served, their children do not serve, their peers do not serve, they do not know the cost of war. In order to get our country to be a solvent business, and our r…

This luggage tag, presumably owned by "Viper Driver Tweak" was found by an associate of mine at the aeropuerto in Erie, PA. It is currently being held hostage by the Swedish Bikini Team, who are threatening to suffocate it with their boobs and/or thighs if ransom demands for its return are not met. If you know Tweak, and he cares enough about this $15 bag tag to save it from certain death from overexposure to soft, delicious Nordic flesh, contact me to help arrange to get it back. Photos/video of the bag tag torture threats unavailable at this time.

... at least according to this individual. https://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/01/28/california-teacher-slams-military-members-as-lowest-low-in-classroom-rant-caught-on-video.html According to the El Rancho HS website, he can be reached at work at 562.801.7500... then dial 0... then dial his extension of 57003. I'm guessing he had a lot of calls today, since his voicemail is full and not accepting any more. I'll try again tomorrow.

I brought this topic up elsewhere with military pilots I know, and it turned into a pretty good thread. A number of them are airline Captains and provided great perspective. I doubt I'll see anything new here... but since it was quite a fun and lively discussion, I'll ask. "Center the bug"... it's what airline pilots do, right? When you roll out of the turn in LNAV, you put the heading bug at 12 o'clock. "A married bug is a happy bug." "Heading to follow..." In 28 years as a military pilot, I seldom cared where the heading bug was if I was navigating on something other than a heading. In the U-2, I bugged my flameout heading. On final approach, I could bug…