General Discussion

What would be the best foreign language to know as a USAF pilot. I have to decide which one to start soon, and am at ends between Russian and German. German, I believe, would be useful due to the chances of being based in Germany. Russian on the other hand, would be good to know if I was to be selected as an astronaut. Hopefully, the Russians will still be major contributors to the space program in twenty years or so. Any other ideas would be great! Thanks

I'm just about to finish up tweets at Columbus, and just filled out my dream sheet. I really want to do tac airlift, and I was advised to put in for T-1s (as opposed to T-44's) to keep my options open. I've been reading some articles in Air Mobility Magazine (while tending to various physio matters) about the C-17 being used to a fuller extent in the low-level/airdrop role. Say that doesn't workout and I manage to get a C-130 outta UPT. What are my chances of moving from slicks into AFSOC?

I ran a search and didn't find quite what I was looking for. I'll be entering UPT soon, and while I know that it's not entirely up to me what I end up flying, I've been giving the various options a lot of thought. Unlike some, who are "definitely gonna go fighters", I have been looking for other options that might also provide an exciting and rewarding career. I keep being drawn back to the aircraft of the special ops community, mainly helos and the specops herc's. I'm getting married in a few months and am also concerned about keeping a happy and funcitonal family life. Is it true what they say about Special Ops pilots NEVER being home, or having to leave in t…

I know that getting selected to Phase I is tough and Phase II is even harder to pass. But does anyone have any more info on these guys? I'v been to specialtactics.com. How often are they getting deployed? Are the Combat Controllers deployed with the Army and Navy? Thanks for the help. [ 22. June 2006, 17:34: Message edited by: ralph ]

In light of all the discussions of Finance BSMs, it's great to see our Special Tactics guys getting proper recognition for the amazing stuff they do every day downrange. In an Air Force that pays a lot of lip service to everyone being "warriors", these guys are the real deal. Air Force Times Announcement Article detailing Crawford's actions

I've been flying for going on 10 years and I love my job. But I am also beginning to look at other adventures I can have in the military before my 20 is up and I spend the rest of years flying for Delta. As it so happens I got a fishing email from the exec regarding the 17th STS ALO position. I wanted to see if anyone had any SA on this job or ALO in general and what the difference may be? I have also heard extreme degrees in job satisfaction for those who went off to be ALOs ranging from "I loved it and want to go back forever" to "Worst years of my life, to hell with the Army!". I've never considered ALO as part of my future but the 17th rings a special bell tha…

I have a lot of speeding tickets. A (civilian) security manager at an ANG fighter unit recently told me that I can obtain a TS clearance to fly Hercs, tankers, etc. but I wouldn't be able to obtain a TS to fly fighters. I was under the impression that a TS is a TS, regardless of platform. Is it true my driving record would receive more scrutiny from OPM as a fighter UPT selectee? [ 02. November 2006, 11:54: Message edited by: Toro ]

How long do the effects of the G warm-up exercise last? And, assuming you do this exercise at the start of a sortie but then are unable to go straight into BFM or ACM, would you repeat it before you start pulling Gs? I am also curious to know how much of a difference it makes to your ability to sustain Gs without experiencing GLOC.

20 years ago today, on 31 Jan 1991, SPIRIT 03, an AC-130H from the 16th SOS was shot down by a MANPAD while providing close air support for Marines during the Battle of Khafji. All 14 crewmembers died. It was the single largest loss of Air Force personnel during the Gulf War. Please take a moment to remember their sacrifice... Major Paul J. Weaver - Pilot Captain Clifford Bland, Jr. - Co-Pilot Captain Dixon L. Walters - Electronic Warfare Officer Captain Arthur Galvan - Fire Control Officer Captain William D. Grimm - Navigator Senior Master Sergeant Paul G. Buege - Sensor Operator Senior Master Sergeant James B. May II, Gunner Technical Sergeant Robert K. Hod…

Laughed way too hard at this article. Glad somebody finally did it. https://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...p/fonda_spitter

Awhile ago, someone posted a pic of an AMC patch that said "Another Missed Christmas" and some other stuff, and I was wondering if there are other "alternative" names for MAJCOMs. I'm familiar with the AETC ones...Adults Eternally Treated like Children, etc. How about others?

Edited, duplicate info

Split from Track Select thread so as to not have it be buried, with update on the article. Best part of the night was the student who got cancer....pulled from training for 15 months...beat cancer...came back, kicked ass, got a Raptor. Fucking awesome.

As the title suggests, I’m curious how much the Sq/CCs in the various communities fly? In my part of the world, they don’t seem to fly that often. I’m wondering if it’s similar elsewhere or if they all tend to minimally fly?

We’re looking to change our squadron call sign to better align with our heritage, but the base call sign manager says our choice isn’t legal based on AFI 33-217. We want to use CHETR XX (pronounced Cheater). 33-217 has been rescinded according to the e-pubs website, but the call sign manager says that he has to still apply it because the Air Force level call sign manager still uses it. Anybody got experience dealing with this?

Anybody got a squadron car? Post specs and pictures here. [ 27. July 2005, 21:49: Message edited by: Beaver ]

So I showed up at my downrange location to start my 365 deployment and the second thing I was told (after "no booze, sex, or porn") was that I was in charge of the Squadron Change of Command. Well, turns out it's not just a change of command. We're deactivating the current squadron and activating a new squadron under a new commander in its place. I tried reaching out to the Wing (located on another base) for guidance and both the Exec shop and the Protocol shop kind of shrugged their shoulders and said they could help if it was just a change of command but they don't know how to deal with a deactivation/activation. From the answers I've been getting, you'd think the A…

At bases with more than one operational squadron of the same jet, how often, and what kind of interaction happens? Aviano and SJ come to mind...

One of the "guys" in our squadron thought it would be a good idea to get a margarita machine for our hooch. Should I: A. Talk some sense into him B. Tell the SQ/CC this has bad idea written all over it C. D. Tell him to quit being a SNAP E. C and D [ 06. June 2006, 20:46: Message edited by: Toro ]

I'm about to sign up for another Master's class for my Master of Science in Aeronautics at ERAU. I heard SOS counts as some kind of credit toward most ERAU Master's degrees so I wanna make sure I don't take one that I'll get credit for in SOS. Does anyone know what it might count for?

Hi, I am updating our squadron photo board and need some examples.......If anyone would be so kind to send a photo to my e-mail address....wsal46@yahoo.com.....thanks a million in advance....take care...fly safe....Sal

Are there squadrons where you'll typically find the higher-speed dudes? I remember reading somewhere about the 19FS (F-15C) up at Elmendorf being the Air Force's top albino squadron...what's up with that? More of an urban legend-type thing? Edit: The 19FS article had nothing to do with their recent William Tell "victory", it was written a few years ago. [ 16. March 2005, 20:47: Message edited by: Dirt Beater ]

I know AFI 36-2903 leaves the wearing of scarves up to MAJCOM. By why are they no more? I think It was back in 2008 AETC brought the hammer down but I can't find any other restrictions that apply to ground duties?!

On average, how many dudes are in a flying squadron? How often do you interact with the CC?

Found this today and was wondering if anyone might be able to shed some light on it's validity. I thought that info was still classified? SR-71 Flight Manual Anyways, some pretty cool info in there.