General Discussion

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

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?

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

I'm an ancient one having trained in T-37's, T-38s and instructed in both. I'm just trying to learn a little about the present syllabus at UPT. Question: Do T-6 students/instructors practice SFO's or forced landings or is it taught to take the silk highway in case of engine failure.

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…

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

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.

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!

Attended the Travis AFB Thunderbird Airshow last weekend. I couldn't help but notice the wearing of 2 piece flight suits by more than a few AF crew members. Is the one piece flight suit being phased out? Which units are authorized in wearing the 2 piece? Is it optional or required? What are your feelings on the wearing of the 2 piece? I assume it's more functional but less appealing to me. I guess the AF is returning to its Army roots, with the OCPs and 2 piece flight suits. By the way, the female Thunderbird pilot's weekend performance was the best in the group while putting on her makeup in flight.

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

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

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

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…

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".

I read some stuff on weapons school the other day and the term "w prefix" kept coming up. I know it probably has something to do with your AFSC, but what does it physically mean? Example: F-16 - W11F3H? [ 16. November 2004, 23:21: Message edited by: Dirt Beater ]

https://www.airforcet...ling-pt-032013w

In the report, called “Global Horizons: United States Air Force Global Science and Technology Vision,” USAF Chief Scientist Maybury said that the Air Force’s manned air fleet is likely to shrink slightly by 2027. This is primarily due to increases in technology coupled with reduced costs for RPA development world-wide. During Allied Force in 1999 I sat in on a meeting at the CAOC then in Vicenza where the subject of equipping 1 RQ-1 Predator with a laser range finder had all the fighter pilots in the room up in arms. Gen Short the JFACC, told the group the laser range finder was only there to collect coordinates and not for target designation. Moreover, he said UA…

Once again the idea of passing the A-10 to the Army is making its appearance. Interesting review of the history of USAF-US Army agreements on fixed wing support aviation (Key West Agreement) and the claim that the USAf never wanted the warthog in the first place. I think the first time I heard this topic raised was in 92, after the Desert Storm when the concept was floated in QDR. I guess the increased cost of the F-35 makes keeping the A-10 difficult to justify. The question would be, does the Army really want it, and if so can they maintain it. I assume since WOs successfully fly and employ highly complex aircraft such as the AH-64, the MH-60 and the MH-47,…

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 apologize in advance if this is in a thread somewhere else already. I tried searching, but apparently the words "air force" (go figure) and "one" are pretty common on this site...If there's another thread already, I'll gladly take this there. I was wondering what kind of an assignment working Air Force One is. I would imagine is a pretty prestigious one, and probably also a small group of people, which when combined, make it mighty tricky to get into. Anyone BTDT? Probably some great stories and would make a great book.

So I returned from my deployment to see the McConnell BX under renovations. I really wouldn't be saying anything except that it was under renovations when I left. They are adding a food court, GNC, and who knows that else in the BX. Guess my thoughts are: 1) Considering they have the space to build a new and better BX, and it would have been cheaper (yes, go figure that one out), why wouldn't they go with that plan instead of renovations. 2) If you are doing renovations to an already sad and pretty pathetic BX, wouldn't you want to make it somewhat BIGGER than what was originally there? For those that have been to or at this location, I would like to hear your t…

Does anyone know where I can find info on SUNT class schedule? I've been selected for UNT and an alternate for UPT. I'm just trying to find out when I expect a class date.

About 4 years ago at Ramstein I was in the O club eating lunch. The waiter asked me and my bud if we wanted a beer. Naturally I said I wanted one but since it was the middle of the duty day and I was in a public-ish restaurant, I'd pass. As only a dedicated German would, he actually tracked down some reg that stated I was allowed to consume 2-8 ounce beers per day during duty hours. I was obviously very pleased and shocked, and then enjoyed a couple of Bitburgers. The best part was when a penis major rolled up on us and asked if we thought it was profesional to be drinking during the work day. We asked the waiter to cite the reg, which he happily did, and the major …

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?