General Discussion

"4/23/2008 - COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Two pilots died April 23 when an Air Force T-38C Talon trainer crashed at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. Names of the deceased have not been released, pending the notification of next of kin. A board of officers will investigate the accident. Additional details will be provided as they become available. " AF dot MIL

Preface. All you older dudes might think its lame, for the others it's pretty long... "Snipe check" "2" "Snipe Go Channel 3 Crank" "2" It's been a long time since I've been solo. An hour long brief on maintaining offensive advantage, gaining turning room, maneuvering to the WEZ and taking every available shot during the fight was overshadowed by one simple rule of engagement - Don't hit lead. He never said it but he knows in 30 minutes he'll have a cocky 2LT on his 6, fangs out, gun blazing oblivious to the fact that 200 knots of closure equates to a heartbeat from disaster at close range. He signs me off anyways knowing that a handshake and a bottle of…

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…

Interesting argument for light (very light) on-demand direct airlift for small, specialized cargo/passenger requirement. https://warontherocks.com/2019/06/featherweight-airlift-for-want-of-a-nail/ Is there a requirement for this? Is it affordable? Does it offer secondary benefits? It was interesting that the authors were/are respectively both fighter aircrew and not airlift aircrew advocating for this, thoughts?

Hey guys -- I'm pretty clueless about a lot of the GPS units available to pilots, let alone what kind of features would be specifically helpful for a military pilot. Anyone have any input? Specific things I'm looking for include: -Large, easily-readable, color screen -Battery life good enough for 4-5 hours of continuous use -Expandability -NAVAID database to include all US TACAN/VORTAC/VOR stations and airports -Ease of use in the backseat of the T-38 Any helpful input is a huge help. Thanks in advance, and Happy New Year.

For those who own or have owned a plane what type of yearly costs are you looking at? Any unforeseen cost that you didn't factor in initially?

Does anyone have any experience with these positions? Just wondering what the pay, lifestyle, bases are? I understand I would probably be 60 days in the AOR flying, but i'm wondering if its worth it to even apply for a job to augment my "guard bumming." in case LTMPA dries up....Thanks.

AF gets new BDU's, if you can call them that.

Local news reports are stating that one of the Thunderbird F-16s flipped while taxiing due to wind gusts at KDAY. No injuries are being reported. A quick search yielded no photos or more information.

I hope this is a joke, but wouldn't be surprised if it isn't. https://www.jqpublicblog.com/so-much-for-wingman-culture-pentagon-ignores-federal-travel-regulation-steals-from-airmen/

Word is a bone crashed at ellsworth tonight. Crew ejected is most recent update. Just happened about 2 hours ago. https://theatlasnews.co/breakingnews/2024/01/04/u-s-air-force-b-1-crash-ellsworth-afb-south-dakota/ Sent from my SM-S918U1 using Baseops Network mobile app

This is absolutely hilarious. Check this out. Gold Bond Powder - a breathmint for my b*lls [ 23. June 2006, 05:47: Message edited by: Toro ]

Found this on another site and thought it might be of interest. Anybody heard anything about it? New gunship flies to Paris Air Show debut By Stephen Trimble on June 6, 2009 12:14 AM | ShareThis https://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/AT-802U_2.jpg https://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/AT-802U_3.jpg The Air Tractor AT-802U is now en route from Olney, Texas, to Le Bourget, France, to be unveiled at the Paris Air Show, said Lee Jackson, design engineer. Featuring an armoured fuselage, a 10hr loiter time and the ability to haul more than 8,000lb of payload, unarmed AT-802Us have been operated by the US State Department in South America since 200…

Curious to hear from all the AF aviators and such around here. Do you like/love your job? I'm going to assume most of you do, because you're on an online forum in your spare time talking about it. The "why" is the most important part. Also (to the pilots) are you happy with your airframe or do you wish you had something else?

By BGEN Greg Stroud (Ret) Some of you know that I was recently "retired" as the 162 Fighter Wing Commander. The decision was made by Brig Gen Mike Colangelo, the Arizona Air Commander, who replaced me because he "just wants to change the culture at the 162nd". Not for cause or performance or any other reason. This officer never commanded anything bigger than an Air Control Squadron and somehow he wound up in charge. Heck, the guy probably got beat up in grade school everyday. I think it is indicative of what is happening in our Air Force and reinforces what Bruce MacLennan and the anonymous author have to say below. Well, I also have something to say about our changing…

Saw a thread on this a while back but thought I’d get an update on the 2 piece flight suit. I’ve heard the 2 piece is mandatory for combat missions now, but what about otherwise? Will the green bag eventually be phased out, or will it remain a personal choice? Haven’t been able to find a very solid answer online other than the 2 piece now being authorized in-garrison and deployed. What about UPT? Thanks!

what pipeline do you take for A-10s. how often do you fly. an will the F-35 replace the A-10. damn i hope not

🤣 🤣

Anybody taking bets on whats going to get cut in the upcoming years (the possible purges due to massive DoD budget cuts)? Anyone have any ideas? My hope is reflective belts, but I have a feeling it may be A/C, flying hours and maybe even pilots.

I heard a rumor the other day that the AF is looking at hiring prior active duty pilots back on to active duty. Apparently mother AF has paid too many dudes to get out and is now a ton of pilots short (1k). Any other rumors out there? If so...what are your options (UAV, UAV, or UAV). I know they have done it in the past (2003)....even gave guys the bonus to come back in. Some of them got pretty sweet assignments. Could get intresting. Anyone in the know?

https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2015-10-08/saic-offering-eclipse-550s-usaf-pilot-trainer-bid Thoughts??

I'm wondering if anyone out there has any good ideas on where to find gifts online w/ Air Force pilot wings on them. ie. mugs, shot glasses, etc. Thanks for the help. Dan

The script at the front gate of Nellis, "home of the fighter pilot" has been taken down. WTF.

Here's my 2nd attempt at the poll. I've always been curious just how common checkride busts are with dudes that have been flying for awhile. Thanks for voting! Cowboy

Hey all, I was wondering what you guys thought some pros and cons of being in an Airlift Squadron opposed to an Air Refueling Squadron were. I am looking towards that division of the air force, but I dont exactly know which one to pick