General Discussion

Figured I'd go for a new topic...

I’m pretty clueless when it comes to stuff like retirement, investing, and so on. But I’m starting to get concerned and want to make sure I’m going to be okay at retirement. I want to start to learn this stuff so can anyone recommend an on-base service that might help me with this? Would USAA be a good source to get info? I have a brother in law who was in the Army and is now a banker so he can probably help me decipher the specifics of programs but he will probably first ask me what programs are available (if any). I’m just looking for something stable and relatively low risk to start putting money away for the golden years. I have no idea yet if I will be in f…

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.

Top Gun 2 in the works. Rumor is he will return as a Instructor at Miramar and also Iceman will be a Skipper on a boat somewhere in the Pacific. https://www.accesshollywood.com/tom-cruise-talks-top-gun-2-and-mission-impossible-5_article_66057 untitled.bmp

Has anyone been to Manas? I'm trying to find out what the current conditions are there. I will be heading that way at the beginning of the year and would like to get some current information. Do they have cellphones you can buy there? Do they work well? What are the rooms like? Thanks, Debbie

Where is it written that we have to use the GTC while TDY? And has anyone ever gotten spoken to about using a personal credit card on the road instead?

Went into the BX for the first time in a few years today looking for a mouse for my laptop. I was quickly reminded why I avoid the place like the plague. The selection is godawful. The prices are typically 25-50% HIGHER than other retailers. Sony X65 headphones? $30 on Amazon and Walmart. Yours for only $80 at your local BX! Microsoft Military Appreciation Touch Mouse? $50 at the BX. $40 online. 3 year old PS3 games? 50% off at $25 at your BX or you could go to the mart or GameStop and get it for 5-$10. Cool speakers for your obsolete iPhone 3? Of course they are on clearance, at $50! Clothing selection is amazing. You can always find a sweet Affliction…

With the huge amount of uncertainty surrounding a drop of out T-38s (from F-22 to Cannon NSA), do dudes currently want T-38s? There was talk that one would be able to switch to T-1's if they didn't like it - did that ever happen? Are guys being forced into T-38s? There was talk when I went through 38's that some dudes weren't strong enough to make it and that the reasoning was that T-38's weren't as desirable as they once were. This was when drops included <gasp> several fighters. I imagine that has shifted/is shifting yet further...

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/breaking-afghanistan-plane-crash-passenger-21368981 damn. Initially reported as an Ariana airlines 737-400 turns out to be this. RIP

All Female KC-10 Mission

Hopefully this turns out Ok and just someone going overboard with holiday 'min manning' : Quick Google search indicates they went public with this early Sat 28 Dec. Sent from my phone using Tapatalk 2

A nickel on the grass... https://www.kboi2.com/news/local/Mtn-Home-Airmen-killed-in-F-15-crash-in-SW-Asia-144734305.html

Gotta put in the shameless plug... Air Force Times article

I'm wondering what kind of holster people use for concealed carry while wearing a flight suit. The squadron issued me a cheap nylon shoulder holster but it's not comfortable in any way. I noticed a lot of guys have bought their own shoulder holsters to wear under the bag. I've looked at the Galco Jackass system, which I like because its modular, so I can get different holster components for my personal pistols and swap them out. So what do you guys use? What features should I look for?

Developing, but sounds like someone ( mechanic?) stole a plane from Sea Tac airport. Took off. Got intercepted. Did a barrell roll. Crashed. Horizon Q-400 These attachments show Sheriff airplane circling crash

I'm going to go to Kirtland AFB next month for the FSO course. It's about three weeks long. I'll probably be the oldest guy ever to go throught the damn thing, but it AFRC is willing to pay for it, I'm willing to put it on my resume. I heard it's a pretty cool school. Anyway...I haven't spent much time in Albuquergue over the years, just a bunch of gas-n-goes and the occasional RON. I'm going to fly my own small airplane out there for the TDY and have a rental car too. Couple questions for anyone in the know... What's a decent FBO, either on ABQ or any of the outlying airports, to park a small plane for a few weeks? For anyone who's gone through the course…

For the F-15 A/C I have read that the wing loading is lower than the F-16 under most circumstances. I have also read that the F-15 has a higher thrust-to-weight ratio under most circumstances. The body and control surfaces of an F-15 are larger, allowing airflow to be diverted for a higher turn rate. The overall surface of the bottom of the F-15 should allow it to fly at slower speeds, and the higher thrust to-weight ratio should allow a lower loss of altitude during a turn-battle in a dog-fight. How is it that I have read about and seen videos of F-16s winning dog fights against F-15s? Obviously don't violate OPSEC.

https://www.airforcemag.com/usaf-considering-pilot-school-changes-to-curb-flight-accidents/ I hope it's not just lip service. I went through in '16 and was directly affected by numerous issues to include: break in orders in the middle of UPT (which led to pulling me off the flying schedule, baby kicked out of daycare, wife CAC card no longer working and stuck off base, etc), as well as 8 month break between wings and B-course (during which time I pursued my civilian CFI rating just to keep my hands warm), multiple 40+ day breaks in training at FTU (several of my peers experienced the same or worse) and other issues. Reality is you suck it up and press but big blue sh…

I'm not an active duty pilot, or really any kind of pilot. But I'm enthusiast who happened upon this site. I was wondering if there's some kind of FAQ that explains what all those acronyms are - like "E" or "AD".

This was on the front page of our wonderful Nashville newspaper today.I cant' believe these yahoos actually think the government is spraying chemicals from aircraft for experiments. I thought some of you might find it interesting as well as humorous. Wednesday, 11/29/06 Jet trails just water vapor, not sprayed chemicals, experts say By ANNE PAINE Staff Writer Blue skies have been turning white this month as airplane traffic crisscrosses the sky. The trails that jets leave behind grow, creating thin, cirrus-style clouds that aviation officials say result from water vapor from engine exhausts and in the air turning to ice crystals. At least…

Hey guys, Assignment night is coming quick, and I can't decide how I want to rank the C-17 bases in my dream sheet! They're all pretty sweet spots, so how do I decide? If anyone out there can tell me the pros/cons of each base, that would be helpful. Thanks in advance!

Ok, I did a search first, and no luck. Anyone at Sheppard give me the dimensions of the dorms? If you have pictures of the dorm that would be nice. TMO told me they are going to keep most of my stuff here, and send only what I want access to (ie, can store in my room) to Sheppard. So I'm wanting to see if I have room for my entertainment center, and what else I might have room for. Thanks, BTW, I get to Sheppard 25Feb

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 heard that they're starting to send heavy guys to instruct Phase III T-38s. Does anyone know if this is only guys with prior T-38 time or if they are taking T-1 guys as well?

Just wondering who gets 'em, who gives 'em, and what point in the whole process does this take place?