General Discussion

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…

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?

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

USAF Open to sending A-10s to Ukraine

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?

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?

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'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

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/

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.

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

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

Anybody know what the lifestyle is like for the KC-10?I know there probably gone a lot just like everybody else.

Article here: Link Thoughts?

Anyone here have the pleasure of participating? IMHO it was more of a waste of time than the last one. I know AMC has an identity crisis - I'm sure we all know that. One can only hit the "I believe" button so many times...

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?

Finace Guy (or any expert) quick question on the reg about combat zone tax exclusion. the first part of the reg says if you are flying in the designated area (say the persion gulf) you are eligible, the next line says in direct support of combat missions. does this mean that if i am say giving gas to a bomber airborne, but not in the designated combat zone, or a ground guy (again not in a designated combat zone) who loads bombs on a bomber which flies a combat mission, am i eligible for the tax break?

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

From what I can tell a bunch of army dudes call it home and I think some OSW assets were there back in the day. I may be calling it home for a while, anyone have some gouge on what is out there or what to expect?

Searched the forum and google but can't find the answer to my question... We just PCS'ed to Pensacola and did a full DITY move. My wife drove my truck behind me and I drove a 26ft Penske truck with her car on a car trailer. I weighed my rig on the way down at a certified scale, etc with her car on the trailer (3 axles total). We are staying in a hotel so all of our stuff is still in the truck. Do I need to get the Penske truck weighed without the car trailer and her car on it or can I just have it weighed empty with her car on it and TMO does the difference in weight? Seems logical but I don't want to get hosed. Hopefully someone knows the answer as I need to know…

Just reported that an F-15C from MANG crashed in Virginia. Cause unknown Was en route from Massachusetts to New Orleans No info on injuries or fatality yet. Fingers crossed for the Driver, hopefully he bailed before. Chute-up

Heard a rumor the other day in the Squadron of stop loss for 11Fs starting in 2013. Has anyone else heard such speculation? I know we are pretty undermanned, but I know a bunch of people who are going to be pissed...myself included. If no one else has heard it, I'm starting the rumor here and now. Discuss...

https://www.politico.com/news/2023/04/17/joints-chiefs-lorem-ipsum-lorem-ipsum-00092130 Just saw this article about candidates for CSAF. I know there is the MAF v. CAF argument and its surprising that the 2 people they mention have MAF backgrounds. Both seem to have legit credibility with TPS. Just curious on the opinions of the forum.

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…