General Discussion

I was wondering if anybody has any first hand information on flying for the US Marshall Service (Justice Prisoner & Alien Transportation System) other than the typical Google search? I have an interview with them next month to fly with them out of Oklahoma City and have done extensive research on them but was just hoping that somebody had first hand knowledge b/c of course, the internet doesn't lie. Thanks. https://www.usmarshals.gov/jpats/

I saw they put out new force management opportunities for FY '14. I'm an ATC officer and have been considering getting out to jump over to the FAA and this seems like an opportunity which may finalize that decision if the terms are correct. I know this is an ops forum but I was hoping that someone might have more SA. If I apply for this program under the Limited Active Duty Service Commitment (LADSC), does that entitle me to separation pay or is the "benefit" merely the reduction of your required service commitment? If there is no separation pay I'd probably just wait out my PCS ADSC which ends late next year anyways. Thanks

Glad it turned out ok. https://www.jbsa.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123357604

Precursor to Stop Loss…any other 11F's get an email today that they're being recalled from their whitejet gig (after a year on station) for an F-16 TX course in Nov??? Evidently there's a surplus of cockpits and lack of volunteers. Who would have guessed? C44

https://www.wjla.com/...sion-92215.html Glad he got out ok.

https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/us-military-helicopter-crashes-inside-base-on-japan-s-okinawa-1.233850#.Uf9_r2ajVjw.facebook Really hoping they find the last guy ok. Not a good way to start the week.

In the report, called “Global Horizons: United States Air Force Global Science and Technology Vision,” USAF Chief Scientist Maybury said that the Air Force’s manned air fleet is likely to shrink slightly by 2027. This is primarily due to increases in technology coupled with reduced costs for RPA development world-wide. During Allied Force in 1999 I sat in on a meeting at the CAOC then in Vicenza where the subject of equipping 1 RQ-1 Predator with a laser range finder had all the fighter pilots in the room up in arms. Gen Short the JFACC, told the group the laser range finder was only there to collect coordinates and not for target designation. Moreover, he said UA…

Holy crap...as far as I can tell, this is actually a pretty damn good idea. Base gyms to be open 24/7 Summary: On commander approval, gyms will stay open 24/7, with access via CAC and security cameras in place. Surely, something or somebody will f*** this up.

I have a few questions for anyone that has been issued this jacket for the AOR. 1. Was it a huge improvement over the standard issue one regarding survivality? 2. Was it comfortable to wear in the cockpit (pointy nose types)? 3. Did you get the pants as well? Thanks.

Interesting - Maj. Gen. Steven Kwast said, responsible for the USAF portion of the QDR is giving a more balanced view of the USAF's tech future. In what might be seen as a challenge to the USAF Chief Scientist's report, Gen Kwast argues against placing all of the USAF's "eggs" into the RPA basket. In essence, he sites the the immature nature of the technology and the need to develop achievable operational and technical capabilities. Good points all... Further he denies any rumours of F-35 cancellation, calling it an important part of the overall concept of operations. Note that this is just the USAF point of view, and that once the QDR starts many pre-concieved no…

https://medium.com/war-is-boring/ff4662469f95 Ambiguous strategic effect? I'm going to go out on a limb and say the bombing of Honshu (Japan's main island) and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki had a very large strategic effect...as in ending WWII. A short google search shows that this guy has written numerous papers about the Navy. (https://www.uky.edu/~rmfarl2/Farleycv.htm) Including "The Future of US Naval Power" (is that bias I smell?)

Looks like Redux 2.0 to me... From the article: "A cost-saving option might be to offer active-duty troops full retirement benefits only after 30 years’ service with mandatory retirement at 40 years." Right and if the same high year tenure rules apply. A lot less officers and NCOs will be making it to full retirement... Here is how I think this will go... the DOD insitute the change and it will remain in effect for about 8-10 years - then whole "classes"or year groups of officers and NCOs will depart taking their valuable experience wit...h them. As a result, these classes will become so small that once again, the 20 yewar retirement will be reinstated, c…

Is the Coast Guard still part of the actual military? I met a guy the other day who claimed to be a commander in the CG and got furious when I asked him about them being under the DHS and not DOD. He rambled on about how they are still military and blah blah. So do we actually salute higher ranking coasties? I'm not trying to insult the CG. There are a lot of organizations who are not military that do some tough work (CIA, DEA, FBI, etc). I'm just trying to figure out if they are still considered military and why. They protect the homeland, but they don't take the fight to the bad guys like the four main branches.

Fox News is reporting a B-1 crash. Sounds like all 4 crew ejected safely. https://www.ksfy.com/story/23173844/ellsworth-afb-crew-survives-b-1-bomber-crash-in-montana

So what is it? A UFO? The Russians? The Chinese? NOOOOPE. Buddy finishes our normal AR with the TACAMO's and they drop into STL for transition. Hilarity ensues. ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI) -A mysterious white plane drew plenty of attention Tuesday afternoon near Lambert Airport and nearby Maryland Heights. The low flying four engine plane came low over ranch style homes in Edmundson and prompted some to take photographs. Janice Marienau of the 43-hundred block of Beauty in Edmundson started to photograph the plane after it flew over her family’s home three times. Then she called FOX 2 News when calls to Lambert Airport and Scott Air Force Base in Illinois …

https://www.washingto...34cd_story.html He's lucky he didn't get life or the death penalty for what he did and now there are organizations petitioning President Obama to pardon him and his lawyer stated that he is planning on living his life as a women and if Ft. Leavenworth doesn't provide him with the hormone therapy he requires, then they are going to sue. WTF?!? When did espionage carry such a light sentence and when did federal prison become Club Med? Edit: PFC Bradley Manning

Not much has been said on the matter outside the local Las Vegas news. Sounds like everyone got out just fine though the rumor mill has it the aircraft is VERY badly damaged ("burnt to the ground" was the exact phrasing). Just hope that everyone is indeed alright. https://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2013/aug/27/nv-marine-osprey-crash/

Anyone ever done it? I'm considering the option because I don't want to add the miles. I have a short term PCS across the country but will be coming back to the same station after 6 months. Will add +/- 6,000 miles to the odometer if I take the drive. I understand that the GOV will only pay for it if it's cheaper than driving, so I am looking into paying out of pocket as well. Any insights or experiences are appreciated. I'll essentially be moving from the pacific ocean to the atlantic.

https://www.stripes.com/news/juicy-bars-air-force-puts-squeeze-on-businesses-linked-to-human-trafficking-1.238446

Wanted to start a thread to get some general information on the C-145. Just looking for the standard stuff about training pipeline, rotation schedule (dwell time), lifestyle, upgrade timelines, etc. Is the squadron mainly still guys that did the FID/rotary mission or is it becoming a sampling of other AFSOC platforms (& UPT studs)?

Anybody have any gouge on Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti? Just curious about living conditions/daily life. I'd appreciate the input. Thanks!

Baseops, I'll be attending UPT in May. I'm a very inexperienced private pilot with just around 100 hours (I'm a teacher so I currently don't have the $ to fly regularly). I was wondering if anybody has any online/study guides/video recommendations for general instrument lessons? I've been told that military instrument flying is 'somewhat' different than civilian but I would just like to have a decent base of how it all works. I've already used some of the helpful info about the T-6 info given on baseops.(Thank you for those that shared those items) Any and all help is greatly appreciated. -Chem

Initial reporting says 10 shot (8 civilians and 2 police) and 3 shooters. Does not say any are fatal. https://www.washingto...b549_story.html

Hello, My name is Kevin Waddle. I am a retired USAF Chief Master Sergeant, aircraft maintenance, working on my Master's degree in aeronautics at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. As part of my graduate capstone project, I am researching generational and aviation experience related differences in attitudes toward automation in aviation: specifically, as they relate to future unmanned commercial aviation. No personally identifiable information is collected in this survey, only demographic and opinion information. To complete this research I need your assistance in completing a survey. The survey is located at https://waddleweb.com/lime/index.php/462867/l…

Got an e-mail recently that you can no longer get cold hard cash from finance in the AFCENT AOR. The only exceptions will be in an emergency and if it is signed by your commander. However you are free to and encouraged to use your Eagle Cash Card at all on base locations. Also, there is still no tobacco at one particular "undisclosed location in southwest Asia." Welcome to the fight!