General Discussion

I just submitted my package for the January AD UNT board, and am hoping for a F-15E WSO slot. Currently I'm a maintenance officer, and obviously I get feedback from my supervision on my decision to get a rated slot. They all comment on the fact that it is very difficult to get promoted as a navigator, although WSOs have slightly improved chances. My commander said today that I would make a greater impact on the Air Force as a maintenance officer, than as a WSO (meaning I'd likely be promoted to a higher grade). Luke is pretty much the worst flying base to speak with any navs...so could any of you give me your opinion on the topic...

I'm headed for OTS soon to be followed by UPT. I've recently started dating a 1st generation American-born Turkish girl with dual citizenship. I'm not sure what lies in our future, but she's pretty awesome and things are already fairly serious. Could this situation hinder a TS clearance, especially if things got more serious down the road between us?

Look at this guys https://www.sky.com/skynews/picture_gallery...10748-1,00.html You'd think these guys would watch wear they are going over in England

I am not into skydiving, but this video is impressive. Looks like a lot of practice to get this thing together. 81 Skydivers

I know that relative to the heavies, fighter pilots spend less time flying. What would be involved in a typical day/week aside from flying, briefing or debriefing a mission?

Are there any significant differences in the training and mentality for the different commands that have A/C? It has been discussed in passing a few threads, but has not been a center of focus (yes, I used the search fu'ction). From what I've read, ACC seems more focused on attention to detail and very scrutinous compared to AMC. Are these differing mentalities mandated or part of the culture that has evolved through the years in each respective command (unofficial), or is it just that certain personalities are drawn to certain A/Cs which defines the atmosphere and training? How about AFSOC's mentality?

Anyone know of an actual statement in the regulations that says promotion ceremonies are up to the individual? I want to dispense with the nonsense and just wear it to work, but I am getting some pushback.

Figured I'd go for a new topic...

Do fighters ever practice intercepting airlines, or are they allowed to over the CONUS? I remember seeing a site a while back where French Mirages routinely intercepted USAF flights travelling over their airspace, and have also seen pictures on airliners.net where they'll fly on the wing of an airliner as well. Thanks

This may have been posted before, my apologies if it has, but I don't think I've seen it here: LETTER ON WHETHER TO BECOME AN AIR FORCE PILOT...... OR A NAVAL AVIATOR...... The piece is written by Bob Norris, a former Naval aviator who also did a 3 year exchange tour flying the F-15 Eagle. He is now an accomplished author of entertaining books about U.S. Naval Aviation including "Check Six" and "Fly-Off". In response to a letter from an aspiring fighter pilot on which military academy to attend, Bob replied with the following: 22 December 2005 Young Man, Congratulations on your selection to both the Naval and Air Force Academies. Your goal of becoming…

Two Airmen killed in IED explosion 1/23/2006 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Two Airmen from the 586th Expeditionary Mission Support Group were killed, and one Airman was injured, by an improvised explosive device while on convoy escort duties near Taji, Iraq, Jan. 22. The names of the Airmen are being withheld pending next of kin notification. https://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123014663

Ladies and Gents, I am looking for any Central America base info. We are floating down here and I am looking for somewhere to bingo to should we need maintenance. I have Mantas website but do we(USA) have anything in Hondo or El Sal? I sure miss Howard! Thanks for any help.

The SQ/CC pulled aside the mayor last week and told him to pass along the WG/CC imposed ROE on songs, stories, and things that would be uttered in the squadron bar. We are to no longer sing songs that have 'girlie bits'. NSTFS - we can no longer preface our songs with "How does every good fighter pilot song start?" I can no longer sing to the world that I love my wife, yes I do, yes I do. Any stories that are told must conform to the same standards. I should hope that this frightening trend does not extend past Seymour Johnson. Please, young SNAPs, continue to sing the beautiful songs of dead whores by the roadside. Hold on to this tradition or soon we will a…

I'm just curious if anyone knows the story (and not just the heresay) on why T-38s get assigned BUFFs instead of T-1s.

A recent post with the Shangri-la nose art got me goin, so if any of you have some swingin nose art pics, post away. I want dames with nice sets of wheels, patriotism that fills my young little heart, and humor that busts the gut. Cheers, Stuck

This is just a general question that has bugged me for a while: when you see pilots wearing their A-2s, all you see is the command patch on the right chest and the nametag on the left chest. Why no squadron patch? To me the squadron patch would mean more than a command patch or even wing patch.

Is it me or does this sound like hitch hiking? From af.mil: 1/19/2006 - WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Rush-hour traffic in the national capital region can be frustrating. To fend off the bumper-to-bumper blues, several servicemembers and civilians have taken to "slugging" -- the nickname given to instant carpooling here. To use the high occupancy vehicle lanes on many of the highways here, drivers must have other people riding with them. The lanes are set aside to encourage carpooling and help commuters skirt highway congestion. “Slugging is a great way to get yourself to and from work without having to drive yourself,” said two-year Fredericksburg, Va., resident Mas…

Hi folks - So, this might sound a bit strange, but my recruiter *really* wants me to apply into the Bioenvironmental Engineering (BEE) program in the AF in addition to OTS (for pilot). I have a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering and he said my background doesn't matter - bioenvironmental vs electrical. I've search here and on Google, but can't seem to find anything on the BEE program except that you get commissioned as a Captain and have 4 weeks of initial training instead of 12 in the OTS. The big question that I cannot find the answer to is - if I sign up for BEE, will I then be able to apply for UPT once I'm already in the AF? Or said another way…

https://www.cnn.com/2006/US/01/19/binladen.tape/index.html I love the truce offer at the end. Sounds real genuine, especially after threats of coming attacks. Steve

I ran across this item in an article in the paper regarding expositng and prosecuting fake SEALs and special operators: Some of you might remember someone named 'Princess' who was posting on another website that she was an F-16 pilot back in 2003. She was exposed as a fake...I wonder if this is the same chick? heh heh The tip off is that she has a Bronze Star, yet no Air Medals or Aerial Achievement Medals. https://www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce/pressReleases/2005-Apr-07.html

Hey guys, from an "overall military web user" point of view, what work-related sites are surfed commonly? Federal Times.com, etc? thanks

Hit the boom for the first time yesterday (10 JAN) and wanted to give ya'll props, especially the boomer for risking life and limb with a B course stud so close to his property. Might catch some ribbing but the 135 looks sweet against a clear blue sky! Thanks again, -j

Beginning January 16, 2006, TurboTax is being made available at no cost to servicemembers by the Department of Defense at the Military OneSource website at https://www.militaryonesource.com/. It requires a login, but supposedly the download is free for anybody interested.

This reminds me of my first rejoin ever in a T-6. https://www.m90.org/index.php?id=10525 **PROBABLY NOT WORK SAFE** (has links and ads for "adult" material)

I was scrolling through my MP3s and found an old forgotten favorite of mine from college. Its an Irish folk song by a guy named Christy Moore. Its called Lisdoonvarna, and I can attest that its a great drinking song especially when all in the place of drink is singing and there is someone playing a spoon and a cookiesheet. Great times. What are your favorite drinking songs?