General Discussion

The climatic lab seems to be ground zero for this explosion and fire. I'm not sure if any aircraft were in the barn at the time of this explosion/fire? No casualty reports at this point. https://weartv.com/news/local/fire-at-eglin-air-force-base

I'm at work now (FAA) and we got a report of a possible Herk down near Itta Bena, Mississippi. No other details yet. Update: Memphis center had them at FL200 and lost radar contact/comms with them

Since starting UPT I've noticed a pretty steady berating of the airline industry by the staff. Just about every briefing I attended as an APT'er or now while in Phase 1 has included shots fired at the airlines--specifically, the pilots themselves. Everyone from my flight commander on up has said something at some point: airline pilots are "puppets" or "bus drivers", military pilots are "much better trained in all aspects of flying" and if you wanted to fly for the airlines, "you wouldn't have come here". We have a lot of guard/reserve guys in our class and most, if not all of them, have said they're planning to head to the airlines when eligible. But none of them have bee…

For those of you recently retired or remember, does it really take a month before anything shows up? I retired 28 June and just today my pay shows my "Separated Reserve Pay" account which just shows my last AD paycheck, when can I expect it to say something along the lines of "Retiree Pay"? Yes, its an AD retirement.

I'm curious if in the near future the Air National Guard will get the F15E. I saw an article (3 years old however) that mentioned the 124th Fighter Wing might get it to replace their A10s but it looks like it hasn't happened yet or will happen. https://www.idaho.ang.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123403682

I've searched to no avail, and not sure if Finance Guy is still around but here is my question since the JTR isn't very clear (go figure). Scenario 1: Let's say that I'm on a 179-day TDY in country A living off base, that turns into 183 days TDY (not including travel days). So under the flat rate per diem rules, I would receive 55% of the full rate for country A. I get that. Scenario 2: Now let's say that at the beginning of this TDY I arrive in country A, spend 10 days there, then go TDY to country B for 2 days before returning to location A for the remainder of the 171 days. For this scenario, my understanding is that I would be paid full per diem for the 10 da…

A quick search didn't show any results for info concerning Holloman, so I'm starting a new thread. Wife and I are headed to Holloman in a few months for B-Course and are trying to figure out whether to live on/off base and if off, where the good places to live are, as well as any useful info for the local area.

This sounds promising for those of you still toiling away at Human Trafficking and Sexual Harrassment CBTs... "Defense Secretary Jim Mattis wants to overhaul military education and training to “regain” the art of warfighting following complaints by thousands of servicemembers that their time is being wasted by hours of mandatory training...The training that is the subject of complaints covers everything from alcohol use to active shooters to sexual harassment to stress management." https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/07/25/mattis-moves-to-refocus-military-training-on-warfighting-after-complaints-on-senseless-exercises.html

New thread for the sidebar topic in Track Select and Assignment night threads... Dual qualification, is it time for the USAF to try it with either some test wings with platforms / qualification levels that could support this for operational needs, manning retention/morale, crew force development (varied experience, technical proficiency, expanded talent pool) and efficiency? I put efficiency last as I think that it is probably the last factor that should be considered for a strategy for implementing dual qualification as a semi-general rule than an a seldom or unique policy. Considering what it takes to make and maintain an aviator - aero rating, qualifi…

Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Operations (AMO), is actively hiring military and civilian pilots for their Air Interdiction Agent Positions. AMO is CBP's law enforcement wing and is located along the borders, Puerto Rico, and certain urban locations.https://www.cbp.gov/careers/frontline-careers/aia I have assisted with Air Interdiction Agent recruiting and attended multiple recruiting events. Inevitably, the same questions are asked time and time again. The purpose of this thread is to provide the answers to these frequently asked questions. The position is very military friendly and offers benefits many civilian employers do not. The biggest is the ab…

So I've been seriously considering applying for a pilot/OCS seat within one of the service branches. I've narrowed it down between the Navy, Air Force , or maybe even the air national guard. I'm currently leaning navy but having second thoughts because I've heard that don't do too much flying. Can anybody attest to this? Any advice or how to choose between these three branches?

Well, I guess we now know where the airframes are coming from for the VC-25A replacement. https://www.defenseone.com/business/2017/08/russian-air-force-one-boeing-trump-747/139872/

This is what is RIGHT with the Air Force, they get it correct sometimes, and this time, they got it so right it will give you chills. Kuddos to Luke AFB.

The 99th RS is having their Centennial 24-26 August. While not a "reunion", we figure we will make it one anyways, since a lot of Alumni are coming to the event. Details at www.99RSevents.com If you didn't get the email through the U-2 network today, you can contact me and I'll get you the additional info. Most of you have my direct contact info. If not, send me a p.m. with your info, and I'll call.

Here's a question for OSSers/Airfield Management-savvy types: Once an 1801 is filed, does a record copy of that go in "the system" (I'm sure there's a better name for that, but I have no idea what it is)? In other words, does the FAA and/or ICAO equivalents ever get the full contents of the form, or just the pertinent route/speed/altitude data to generate the strip? More specifically, if the PIC block is ever filled in as anything other than "On File", does that go outside of military channels?

Can someone point me to a good source showing numbers of pilots that were downed in a combat theatre and subsequently rescued/returned to service in the same theatre? Any data or sources would be appreciated.

I'm a 2009 USAFA grad with a UPT ADSC that expires in May 2021. In July of 2015 I transferred my benefits to my wife. Earlier this year, I transferred one month to my kids. I am considering getting out when my ADSC is up (will likely try to Palace Chase prior). I understand that I didn't actually start earning post 9/11 benefits until I completed my USAFA service commitment in 2014. According to the VA website, you have to six years of service before you can transfer. My question is, has anyone had a problem where the VA denied benefits because they were transferred only a year after the USAFA commitment is complete? The rule seems clear to me, but I have this…

Off the street guard hire, just PCSd to home unit after finishing B Course. Finance is refusing to pay DLA because they are considering it my "final PCS" I also had to stay in a hotel / friends couch for 20 days because my HHG shipment was 3 weeks late delivery. I tried to claim 10 days TLE and they are also not paying, stating the "final PCS" reason I've read the JTR... I think I'm eligible for both. Anyone have other interpretations of it?

They say that if you get paid to do something you love, then you never work a day in your life. But they also say that if you throw money in the mix, it makes that 'hobby' feel more like work. When you're off the clock so to say, do you ever still feel like flying? I've heard stories of certain people getting out of the Air Force or Navy and never flying again but it seems like a lot of people enjoy the career path. I feel like I won't ever get tired of it but how has it affected you? Do you take your family flying for fun? Ever have planes on buying a small plane? Are the huge amounts of commercial pilots from the Air Force an indicator of a lack of flight time…

Looks like Big Blue is finally raising our flight pay . 6 years only gets a $50 increase while the 14 year guys goes down to 12 years now at $1k. But we have to worry about our guys being able to jump to the airlines at 750 hours.

Random thought I just had before my morning coffee kicks in. As the KC-46 line gets up some steam, with Airbus tankers in an off the shelf status, wondering if there's opportunity for a private venture to acquire and employ a dozen or so tankers over the next several years. DoD has found itself woefully unable to support it's training needs in both A2A and A2G, leading to the rise of Blue Air, Drakken, and ATAC, among others. Likewise, for years Omega has been filling the gaps in DoD's probe and drogue coverage, and the premium on those assets is going nowhere but up as the numbers of grey tails goes down. Seems to me that a handful of tankers available on a …

They are looking for military statics for this AirFest. Small ramp area, so can't bring in the big aircraft. T-6, any fighter, or some of that AFSOC stuff that is different and cool. One-day show, 4 Nov, sponsored by Hangar 24 Craft Beer. Concert on ramp after the show. Non-towered airport, 8001x100 runway, FBO has contract fuel. Arrive Friday, or come in Saturday morning. Show doesn't start until ~1300. Ping me for details if you think you might want to show up.