General Discussion

This is somewhat Reserve/Guard-centric, but I thought it was worthy of general discussion. Over the last 10 years, I have watched with horror as the ANG has tried harder and harder to become like the active duty. Our leadership has yelled from the rooftops "We're just like active duty! We're an operational reserve, not strategic! Give us new equipment! Deploy us more!" Meanwhile.... The standard ANG AEF deployment has gone from 45 days to 180. ANG units are now being routinely tasked for non-voluntary, non-combat 90-120 day TSP deployments. And now it looks like the reserve component deploy to dwell ratio is in question. For many years, the RC's deploy to dwell ratio …

Please read the following article, and any links necessary if you are interested. I find it interesting that CMSAF would answer questions based on an Reddit.com AMA, but I'm glad this might actually be looked at through the appropriate light. https://www.airforcetimes.com/story/military/2015/06/02/air-force-reviewing-if-airmen-overlooked-for-medal-of-honor/28371279/ I ran into this type of mindset throughout my time in the military and I was always dumbfounded when leadership would squash a medal nomination for one of my guys. The leadership's misguided logic was that if someone received an achievement medal, then it would look bad if they received another one…

Ladies & Gents, A few of the guys from the 48th at Lakenheath recommeded I put a few snaps up here for you good folk to see. So I just wanted to say 'Hey' and if you're ever in the UK on TDY or PCS'ing to Lakenheath, hit me up and I'll shoot you some pics. All with my compliments, discretion and respect assured. Lots of USAF aircrew character references available! Cheers! Morley morley.lester@gmail.com MLL_7576 Head on 1024 by Morley Lester, on Flickr IMG_3167 GR4 Flckr by Morley Lester, on Flickr MLL_0059 F15E Morley Lester Link Flckr by Morley Lester, on Flickr MLL_7340 Flckr by Morley Lester, on Flickr MLL_1771 1024…

no workie

https://www.jqpublicblog.com/curbing-wrongful-termination-in-the-air-force-four-common-sense-reforms/ I've been hearing a lot more lately about a lot of the toxic leadership problems in the Air Force and a few victims of wrongful firings. Thoughts on the content of the post and topic? Has anyone seen or hear about this happening to someone they know?

Big Blue needs you to present a PowerPoint to a deployed location, even if you are needed at your current unit: https://www.jqpublicblog.com/leaked-memo-shows-depth-of-air-force-manpower-crisis/ Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

Decade forecast from Stratfor, sounds plausible, world somewhat FUBAR somewhat functional. https://www.stratfor.com/forecast/decade-forecast-2015-2025 Here's the Jack Ryan part: It is unlikely that the Russian Federation will survive in its current form. Russia's failure to transform its energy revenue into a self-sustaining economy makes it vulnerable to price fluctuations. It has no defense against these market forces. Given the organization of the federation, with revenue flowing to Moscow before being distributed directly or via regional governments, the flow of resources will also vary dramatically. This will lead to a repeat of the Soviet Union's experi…

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

https://www.cnn.com/2015/06/30/asia/indonesia-military-plane-crash/ About as bad as it gets. Couldn't help but notice the article says there were 110 passengers and 12 crew on board. Seems high for a 130? Or not?

F-16 pilot seems to have ejected safely, fingers crossed for survivors from the Cessna.

From the weird side of aviation... According to the web site, the idea of an Amphibious C-130 was considered back in the early 70's... or is it fake? Can't tell these days... Anyway its an interesting diversion. https://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/a-c-130-hercules-amphibian-makes-too-much-sense-to-be-t-1716610531

Hi there. I own a few small businesses, one of which is growing well enough to expand to a multi-location operation (a big step for us). I'm wondering if there are any other Guardsmen/Reservists here who own their own business who have either a) balanced their service obligation with running their business or b) specifically have gone through UPT while owning their business (and possibly running from afar). The expectation that was made when I was hired into my guard unit was that I will basically need to disappear off the face of the planet for 2-3 years during UPT and we're thinking about maybe hiring a general manager to run the place while I'm gone or selling out…

Baseops'ers. I've been told about a few Sim IP openings for qualified eagle/viper/raptor drivers at Hickam and the Kun. Either place can be 3-6 rotations/"TDYs" if you'd rather not move. Perks include: Senior Level compensation Relocation assistance Housing allowance Sign-on bonus (potentially) PM me with questions or if you're interested.

Hey everybody! My names Roger and im a 17 year old with high hopes, and aspirations to become apart of the elite military aviation community, and eventually become the pilot of a fighter aircraft. Anyways so my question to you guys is: What is the right stuff? I constantly keep hearing this saying, and several other relevant maxims, which refer to the characteristics ,and personality traits one must have in order to succeed in the fighter pilot business. Also,if one does not carry certain characteristics, can he/she acquire them? Thank you!

The F-16 mid-air has generated a lot of discussion on ADS-B in the civilian world. Not that there wasn't a lot already. My question: What is the DoD going to do (if anything) with respect to installing ADS-B on military aircraft? If they are going to do it, what's the timeline? Which aircraft? I think I probably know the answer, but it's pure speculation on my part, and I figure there are at least a few knowledgable folks here that are smart on the issue. With that, I'll shut up and avoid showing ignorance. Thanks. Discuss...

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…

https://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/benefits/pay/allowances/2015/08/07/force-future-pay-tables-reform/31226597/ Thoughts?

https://edition.cnn.com/2015/08/11/europe/us-f16-germany-crash/index.html Glad the pilot made it out safe!

Two 301st FW F-16s collide at Nellis

I will be in the Mach Loop this friday, taking photos - drop me a pm if required https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexlovell2011/ Alex

Came across this and noticed the tail number was a jet I used to be a Crew Chief on back in the mid 80's at EGUN. All I can say it was providence that it happened on the takeoff roll and not airborne which would have been a much worse outcome. https://www.omaha.com/news/military/disaster-averted-at-offutt-but-major-questions-remain/article_41bfc96a-8b03-510b-b0f1-7d7d8633cd26.html

https://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/careers/2015/08/28/force-future-report-ash-carter-review/32476549/ Discuss

Just wanted to give you guys a shoutout. We just finished up a 5 day 1900nm cross country bringing our Kiowa Warriors to the boneyard and it was pretty overwhelming to see the warm welcome you guys gave us as you taxied by. We have a huge respect for what you guys do and it was awesome to see.

Police are on the search for a group of thugs/anarchists who surrounded and attacked an Air Force pilot in Olympia, Washington. The service member has not been identified but it has been confirmed that he is stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The pilot came under attack when he was riding his motorcycle through downtown Olympia on Saturday night. According to the police the protestors surrounded him when they noticed that the pilot had two Confederate flags on the back of his motorcycle. After ripping the flags from the back of his bike they beat him with a bat and smashed a glass bottle over his head. They also attempted to knock his motorcycle to the ground while sp…

Commentary from a recent WSJ The Rewards of the Obama Doctrine: Offering a helping hand to America's enemies in Iran, Russia, and Cuba will ruin lives and many more will die The Rewards of the Obama Doctrine - WSJ.pdf Mr. Kasparov feels fairly strongly against the power vacuum he perceives our current foreign policy is creating.