General Discussion

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

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,…

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…

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…

https://warnerrobinspatriot.com/bookmark/20267416-Source-says-J-STARS-aircraft-may-have-been-sabotaged-at-contractor-location If they catch who did it, he's going under the jail. I heard stories from friends in the Herc community about an airman that was discovered partially slicing the loadmaster restraint harnesses a few years back. Hopefully that guy is still in Leavenworth.

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.

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.

Since the topic of "formation approaches and wing landings" has come up elsewhere, I want to ask the fighter/attack folks about fingertip: is it still relevant to what you do? Or if IMC, do you depart/arrive via some sort of radar trail? What about the A-10's? Do they use fingertip more? Or do they split up to singletons? Do A-10's do wing takeoffs if there is a 600' ceiling on departure? I realize fighters can come up initial in fingertip... but is flying initial in tactical better/preferred/more common, as compared to fingertip? Bottom line: is fingertip still relevant to what you do as a fighter/attack pilot? Is the answer differen…

I’m probably getting ready to buy a new or used car. Is there any extra benefit to being in the military when I go check out loans? Such as: better availability of interest rates or just a company I should check out (beyond the dealers finance department) for getting a loan? Since we are on the subject, does anyone have an opinion on buying now verses buying in 1.5 years from now? Just wondering if everyone is under the opinion that the interest rates might be a bit higher by the middle of next year. Thanks!

https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2022/11/12/plane-crash-reported-during-air-show-at-dallas-executive-airport/ Doesn't look good, but holding out hope some people got out. Edit: P-63 Kingcobra looked to have hit the B-17 in the aft fuselage.

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

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 …

Question. If someone were out on a weekend cross country in a white jet and actually overflying home station when a generator fails, and that pilot elects to land at the airfield even though it is closed and uncontrolled for the weekend, is that a Q3’able event? Anyone see anything right or wrong with this? (It’s something that actually happened at a training base recently to a reservist by an OG) Withholding my thoughts

Good grief! It seems to be nearly impossible to find a decent place to rent (I'm in the process of buying), anyone have suggestions? I'd like to stay within a 30 min drive of base. murph

Rebalancing the Rated Pipeline: The Air Force needs to boost fighter pilot production to 278 pilots a year as it works to rebalance the rated training pipeline, wrote Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz in a letter to Air Force major commands and members of the Air Staff. Schwartz said this will be accomplished primarily through the new active associations with reserve fighter squadrons. Specifically, the Arizona Air National Guard at Tucson will support "significantly more" B-course students each year and reduce the number of foreign military sales students. Air Combat Command will reduce the F-16 flight training unit syllabus. The A-10 crew ratio will increase and more …

Even though the terms UAV, RPA, and their triple-gold medals and ribbons are not highly favored in these forums, there is plenty of new stuff in development that seems to have been glossed over in the world and, well, in the location where all the intelligent aviators seem to hang out: BA.net. In fact, this is probably the perfect time for us (however you choose to define the term) to look in another direction, and different "insert your own colloquial term of the minute, i.e. synergylisticaly-out-of-the-box" thinking. Rules are: there has to be pictures (SFW), it has to be somewhat-reasonably credible, and no discussion about how the technology will affect your p…

I will be heading out to UPT within the next year hopefully. I have been looking into what it entails, and am curious what the standups are like, what is involved, how long a standup usually takes, and how often do students "fail" them. Thanks any info.

Hey, I got my CD a few days ago, and have listened to it nonstop, I know they explain some of the terms in their insert( I knew most anyway). But I was curious of a few things. Dropped the bomb that killed Sadam "We were screaming on that radio for KMART to let us go" Whats KMART? "Im a pilot"And the ECM pod that one’s my favorite joke I know ECM is the Electronic countermeasures Pod (at least I Think) I dont understand what the joke is about forgeting to turn it on JDAM Blues, I dont understand whats bad about dropping JDAM's And also I dont understand the Fox 1, 2 and 3, I suspect is like.. do over or something, I dont know. I am sure I have lost a bit o…

I find myself watching this every few days for a laugh. What gems would you add to "Sh!t Fighter Pilots Don't Say??"

Looking for some advice here. I got picked up for UPT last board and am off to Columbus in Dec. I dont know for sure, but I will likely be the SRO of my class. I am a captain with 4.5 years of service. I am planning ahead and going down there (sts) thinking I will be the SRO. I would like any pilot to share with me some advice on the matter. Tell me what your SRO did that was good and some bad stories as well. If you were the SRO, tell me about the experience and what you did that you liked and some things you wish you would have changed. Even if its a couple of lines, I am just looking to gather all the info I can. Also if anyone is in class 08-05 at Columbus…

I'm about to get passed over for a 2nd time to Major. I've done a lot of research, but I just want some back up to see if my thinking is correct. I've asked numerous people in MPF these questions and I get different answers each time... Being an 11F, will I most likely be offered continuation to 20 years? Could it possibly be for a shorter period? If I turn down continuation to 20 years, I will have to separate within 6 months. I understand that I will not receive invol sep pay, but will I receive the other benefits of invol sep such as the commissary/bx privileges, the medical coverage, and the HHG storage? Is there any possible way to let them know that …

well this is one way to get out early I guess... https://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16585140/ SAN ANTONIO - "Drop and give me 20!" is something you might hear Air Force Staff Sgt. Michelle Manhart yell to airmen trainees at Lackland Air Force Base. Drop her trousers is what Manhart did for Playboy magazine, and now it's landed her in trouble with the military. "Of what I did, nothing is wrong so I didn't anticipate anything, of course," Manhart said Thursday of the pictorial. "I didn't do anything wrong so I didn't think it would be a major issue." In a six-page spread in February's issue, hitting newsstands this week, Manhart is photographed in uniform yelling and …

Trying to get some info on this. Just received an informal notification from my commander that I will see one drop with my name on it in the near future. Any info is appreciated. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Kim Jong Un assasinated.....maybe.....probably not.