General Discussion

I've been browsing these forums for a few years now and I've seen several pilots talking about the "military way of flying". I've seen posts about how people with a lot of civilian aviation time can potentially be at a disadvantage because the "military way of flying" is very different. I've seen other posts of young guys heading to UPT without any flight time asking whether they should go out and get some hours and being told not to because they will be taught the "military way of flying" and not get mixed up with civilian training. I've been recently hired and still working on getting through MEPS. I have about 150 hours TT and working on getting my instrument rating. I…

(Probably more of a vent than looking for solid advice from the green screen) So here I sit into my 21st year of service without any ADSCs, a position i was planning to retire from prior to COVID. Now i have been given an unexpected opportunity to attend ASAM for IDE in my third look. So now I’m super torn. On one hand, I know it comes with basically comes with a service commitment to 2025, 1-2 years of staff and 3 PCSs within 3 years. It also would give me a Masters in Operational Mgmt. It’s something I always wanted in life, to make Lt Col and hopefully become a commander. It also provides a ton of long term financial stability for my family. On the other hand th…

Hey all, I am early in my first assignment and have begun looking at (online) masters programs to start. I have an undergrad in aero engineering and wanting to improve my application to TPS/U2/B2 programs down the road. After reading AFI99-107 and talking to others, it seems that a technical masters is desired for having a shot at the TPS board. My question is there any specific masters or schools that would stand out? I am leaning towards Embry Riddle's MS Aero program but curious on other degrees such as MS Flight Test Engineering, etc... Also planning on tuition assistance to help max extent possible. And I will take any gouge on recent TPS boards, haven't seen any rec…

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/myanmar-coup-united-nations-biden-china-russia/ They need help and it's up to us provide it. Bangkok would be the logical place to stage out of. Patpong road is open for business. Would be nice to have a little war in a place that doesn't suck.

I guess since I let the cat slip out of the bag in the VA Loans post, y’all are due for an update. For those who care read on... For those of you who don’t know my story, the short version is came back from a deployment to find out my wife of over 10 years and high school sweetheart had been cheating on me. Once she got caught in the 2nd affair (I know now that there were more than just the two I caught her in) she filed for divorce but let me take the kids and move out of state. I swore then that I would never get married ever again. I did the single parent thing for a while and then randomly her and the boyfriend decide they are going to move to the city I and the k…

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?

Going to be leaving AETC and going to the real operational Air Force this year, and was wondering how difficult it is to take leave with constant missions. Especially in AMC where crews seem to be gone more than they're home. How difficult is it to grab a couple days of leave? A whole week? Does it routinely get canceled last minute for a mission? What if it's something I can forecast months in advance, does that help? Are any bases/MAJCOMs/airframes notoriously good or bad for this? Things like a wedding/honeymoon are on the horizon for me, and just looking for general info. Thanks in advance.

Hey everyone, I’m a current regional guy hired by a ANG unit. FC1 completed, approved and standing by for dates. Looks like I’ll be submitted to screen for the Civilian Path to Wings Program. Anyone have information on it? It looks very new and there’s nothing out there. Would it take place at any UPT base or just a select few? Anyone currently in it and knows the timeline from start to finish and what the syllabus consists of? Real excited to get started. Thanks in advance.

737 down in the ocean near Jakarata https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/indonesian-authorities-have-lost-contact-sriwijaya-air-flight-182

I have looked everywhere and cannot find an answer as to what L-182 designates for the C-130A. Any info on this would be greatly appreciated! This is just nagging at me .........Thanks

This is making the rounds on social media. 93d and 28th Bomb Squadrons can just kiss their patches goodbye.

United States-Trained Afghan Fighter Pilot Is in Hiding After Being Denied Safe Passage

I see that Washington D.C. is allocated CONUS COLA for 2021. Any of you smart people know if this applies to the Pentagon? It is physically located in Arlington, VA but has Washington D.C. addresses. I suspect the answer is Virginia, since that will cost the government less $$, but thought I’d ask the question.

This is a really long shot, and I apologise for the cryptic nature of it, but... Does anyone know MAC C-5 crewmembers who flew classified missions through the 1970s? Probably part of a unit whose mission included supporting AFSC and CIA. I would imagine it was a tight-knit community, but I don't know anyone who was part of it. Specifically, I am looking to speak to a crew who flew into Egypt on 21 Sept 1977. TIA

The Army had a policy for an additional 3 years, you could select your branch. In this case, aviation in attending flight school as a Commission Officer. While in AF SUPT in being so YOUNG to the AF, would YOU volunteer an additional 3 years for a certain aircraft selection? The AF would get an additional 3 years out of you without spending one thin dime in bonus money. Remember, you're young and your dreams await you.

Madison? https://www.google.com/amp/s/prosportsextra.com/breaking-f-16-fighter-aircraft-has-crashed-in-michigans-upper-peninsula-2/

Is it ok for enlisted aircrew like loads, booms, etc.. to not salute an officer when outside? Seen this consistently among the TSgts, senior instructors, also one of those dudes put pilot wings on his name patch and wore them? Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Hi everyone, With the holidays coming up I thought it would be a good time to post this question for anyone who would like to buy a gift for a friend/family member that will soon be attending OTS/TFOT or UPT, or for themselves if they have friends/family asking what they would like for gifts this year and would like to suggest something that would be useful in their upcoming training. So what are some good gift ideas or things that you wished you had while at OTS or UPT that would be useful for someone who will be attending sometime in the future? Thanks, and happy holidays to all!

Has anyone requested and been approved permissive TDY to attend Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) ground and/or flight training? I'm scheduled to attend a course next month and was planning on taking leave to knock it out, but wanted to look into PTDY as an option. What is your experience and/or take on the idea? AFI36-3003 allows a commander to grant permissive TDY status "to attend meetings or seminars sponsored by non-Federal technical, scientific, professional (e.g., medical, legal, ecclesiastical, Information Technology, and mechanical) societies and organizations" as long as it has "a direct relationship to the member’s primary military duties and clearly enhance h…

As to our current force structure, are we built to win the next fight(s) against China / Russia? I've been thinking a bit on this lately and a few articles I've read are making me believe we need a change. Peer competitors will not allow us to build up and then operate with impunity from MOBs near their territory or newly captured territory or areas they now assert control over in conflicts or high tension periods. One of the articles I read (WHY THE PENTAGON SHOULD FOCUS ON TAIWAN) and for the purposes of this thread's debate I will say we accept it. One of the arguments from article is that if we use this scenario to primarily prepare for, it will also pre…

https://weartv.com/news/local/deputies-plane-crashes-near-magnolia-springs-home-catches-fire

Navs be like... This will be an interesting discussion...good luck to all those young bomber WSOs out there https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/10/20/air-force-plans-retrain-weapons-system-officers-be-b-21-bomber-pilots.html?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EBB 10.21.20&utm_term=Editorial - Early Bird Brief As the U.S. Air Force prepares to bring the next-generation stealth bomber into its inventory over the next two decades, it plans to slash the number of weapons system officers by as much as half to make room for more pilots, according to a top general. Though the service has not announced exactl…

Does anyone have any experience getting a CONUS-based ALTREV coordinated? I’m trying to figure out how to set up AAR off track and the local knowledge how to do that has departed the fix.

Since AF helicopter pilots attend the T-6A phase in SUPT, are they allowed to be T-6A IPs further along in their career? The Navy/Marines has this policy in place for their helo/VSOL drivers.