General Discussion

Ok guys, serious post for once (yeah, shut-up haters; you loved it the past couple of years). Tony recently published an article on his site about dealing with toxic leaders to fix the Air Force. I look around my aviation community (remaining unnamed to protect the guilty), and I just don't see it. Guess I'm either lucky, clueless, or one of the culprits (again, shut up haters. Actually trying to be serious here). Who's in a community out there that actually breeds multiple toxic leaders? Is there a root cause or is it a conglomeration of problems? Is your community on the upswing or trending downward? Conversely, who is in a community with leaders…

Ok.. I know that I should know this one, but my memory has slipped me and I can't track down the answer anywhere. How is the elevation derived for the min altitudes in each sector on the TPC chart? I know that an actual chart has this posted in the legend, but seeing as how we rely totaly on CFPS I have no actual charts. Any help would be great!

Anyone heard anything about the latest TPS board? Its been a month just wondering if anyone has heard anything. thanks

Just a question for those of you in the know. How often does the USAF still lease training platforms for the flying qualities portion of the curriculum? I know the Calspan Lear 24 makes a living there, but was wondering: what other type of aircraft are used in this role?

I've done a lot of reading on the what goes on after you make it into UPT and what happens from there on. I liked how Baseops had some personal journals for people, it really gives you an idea of how the whole process works. However, I noticed that most of the journals I saw were for people doing heavies . Is there any reason for this trend? Is it just that personal character required to come onto a website and post your personal story is restricted to people who choose heavies? I believe only one of the journals was a T-38 track and it was a B-1 drop. What are the statistics on track selects and drops? If all goes well with Phase I and Phase II, are you likely to get…

Maybe this has been tried before, but it seems like it would be a good idea to list all the track selects and assignment nights in one thread instead of starting new ones every three weeks. Here was the breakdown at CAFB tonight for the 07-10 track select: 5 T-38s 3 T-44s 1 UH-1 13 T-1s (I think) I'm not sure how many ANG/AFRC slots were given out, so if anybody has the lowdown...please share. Fusion

I think my squadron has an archaic way of tracking currencies. How does your Sqdrn track semi-currencies and the metrics associated with them? First aircrew fill out a GMAR or Flying MAR. Then our HARM puts everything into an excel spreadsheet, then in Training we MANUALLY transfer that info over to another Excel spreadsheet which we give to our schedulers. They in turn schedule people based on "beans" left. Weekly the Training Shop computes metrics from the currencies and briefs them in the Squadron meeting. And finally every other month we conduct a Training Review Board. I believe nearly all of the metrics the Training Shop produce can be automated through Ex…

My Dad recently told me that it was tradition to to turn you squadron patch upside down the week you leave for a PCS, PCA, etc. He never could tell me where or why this got started just that it was "What was done". (Much like party suits) I have seen it done in a couple of places, but was wondering if anyone knew where this tradition got started and what the significance of it is? Maybe some of the old-heads on here can help me out so I can justify bringing it back. Anyone else out there do this the last week? Edit: Spell'in

99, Just got my approval for transfer into the KC-135 community and I'll be heading to Mildenhall in about a year. I've been flying helicopters with the Navy for about 15 years so I'm looking for some gouge/guidance on what I need to start studying wrt Air Force specific flight rules as well as Air Force-isms in general. I realize I have a learning curve ahead of me so I'm trying to get ahead of the game. For reference, my background, active Navy O-4 helo driver with about 2,700 hours in both fixed and rotary wing aircraft. And before anyone asks, I would rather go to the Air Force and get my retirement than get out now and slog through the regionals to make …

I just found out that I will be on casual status at Travis. I will be completing my IFT there and I was wondering what is the good the bad and the ugly about being there. [ 04. April 2004, 15:50: Message edited by: gobucks ]

https://m.kcra.com/news/plane-crashes-at-travis-afb-air-show-in-fairfield/25806746 Apparently this was the performer: https://www.eddieandreiniairshows.com

I recently got assigned KC-10's to Travis, and will be moving there (I assume) within the next month or so. I was wondering if anyone that is based there could give me information on where to live, and where NOT to live. I recently saw that ghetto video about Fairfield, CA and figured I'd post this. I am not looking to buy at the moment, just rent (apartment, condo, house, townhouse, etc). My girlfriend works in advertising out of Atlanta right now, and is currently searching for jobs out west. I am also wondering, which of the cities would have more job opportunities for her, and are really awesome cities to live in (San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento, etc). Thank…

A Van's RV-4 through a river valley. Very nice. https://www.experimentalpilots.com/anrr.wmv edit: looks like that link is broken. Try this one: https://www.rv7-a.com/videos/treetopflyer.wmv This is the same model: [ 13. October 2006, 17:15: Message edited by: nunya ]

Long article but interesting (only perused some sections) - enjoy. Trends in Air to Air Combat Implications for Air Superiority John Stillion

Great pics in this https://www.glennbeck.com/tribute.htm [ 20. July 2005, 09:23: Message edited by: KIPP ]

An article in the Wall Street Journal this AM stating Sec gates is in favor of increasing Tricare premiums for retirees. I am sure the retired groups will be up in arms, but it seems to make sense to me. Enrollment fees have not changed since the program was founded in 1996 and the cost for a family would increase from $460 to $520 per year, that sounds more than fair and reasonable to me. Another change is to encourage the use of the mail-order pharmacy, no co-pay for using the service, certainly a reasonable option for non-time critical medicines. The co-pay would increase $3 if you still want to use a local pharmacy. With all the other cuts backs and issues faci…

This is true. It is on pages 77, 172, 218, and 434. You have to dig to see the charges. We (retirees) would lose the Medicare for life benefit and would have to pay. We would lose TRICARE as a total care package. We would not be allowed to keep TRICARE so when Obama stands and says if you like what you have you can keep it, he lies. This is a "Heads Up" on a battle we are facing now and down the road with the new Administration. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has already drafted proposed legislation that would basically reduce our TRICARE for Life benefits to a system whereby we pay deductibles and co-pays up to $6,301 the first year for you and your spouse, wi…

Doubt it'll pass as it has to be approved by Congress. I'm all for cutting the defense budget back a bit as the wars end but this may go a little too far if the Pentagon wants to maintain some resemblance of the increasingly scant military benefits everyone was entitled to when they signed on. https://freebeacon.co...ashing-tricare/

https://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-afghan-photos-20120418,0,6471010,full.story

It's come to my attention that some think UPT students to be perfect, with only minor flaws... I know I don't fit this mold and still "somehow" to managed to make it through... What have you done in training that is true, no shit, baffonery... None of this, "I broke the wrong way," or "I made a goofed up radio call" bull shit. A true picture of, I did this and it was alright because I admited I did that, I was wrong and understand how not to let it happen again. Mine: I was told by lead to take space in the wing T-37. I chose to lag roll. I was 1000' below the MOA. I made it about 89 degrees before..."I have the controls." At first I thought, W…

One of the few good things about a joint job is that you get jokes from the other services. I received this today and thought it was pretty funny... Cheers! M2 Dear Shipmates: It has been brought to the Wardroom's attention that some individuals throughout the ship have been using foul language during the course of normal conversation with their shipmates. Due to complaints received from some sailors who may be easily offended, this type of language will no longer be tolerated. We do, however, realize the critical importance of being able to accurately express your feelings when communicating with shipmates. Therefore, a list of 18 new and innovative "TRY S…

Question for everyone smarter than me: I am under my last year of AD service. I have 60 days saved, expecting 20 more between beginning of FY20 and 1 June 2020, then add 20 PTDY. I plan on taking the 20 days PTDY spread out in 3 day chunks mid-week, every other week just because. My question is for the remaining 80 day period. If 1June 2020 (retirement date) is on a Monday, do I have to take leave the Sat and Sun prior, or can I just return from leave on Friday and use those 2 extra days somewhere else? TIA

Praying for good news... https://m.tucsonnewsnow.com/tusconnewsnow/db/348830/content/Waae7UyR

I have a specific question about the AF Tuition Assistance. I'm on a long casual stint, and I've started working on my master's. I was told at the education office that TA only covers TUITION, and that no fees whatsoever are paid for. When you fill out the online application, it even asks for REQUIRED fees and says they will be paid. I tried to input my required fees and the education counselor made me remove them before she would approve my TA request. I'm only taking one class and the fees are like $600 (TA only paid the $276 tuition), and I can't use MGIB since I haven't been in for 2 years yet. Every reference I can find about TA online says that it pays requi…

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