General Discussion

I was just wondering if, barring the retirement or removal or your current platform, is it possible to change platforms during your career. Obviously, this applies to AD, but all input would be welcome!

Hey guys, after a little break from Baseops, was checking back in with you all to see what stuff I need to be aware of. Are there issues out there you think I need to know about or concerns, etc? Im not going to engage in debates or complaints about votes I have taken, but was curious if there is anything I need to be aware of. I'm still flying in the guard so I know about many of them, but wanted to see what was up Feel free to PM if youd rather, cant guarantee Ill be on often but Ill take a look occasionally. Hope everyone is doing well.

I read on the AF rag (online, I rarely pay for that crap) that Gen Welsh is taking over USAFE. I remember he was the first commandant of cadets in a long time (since Olds?) that we all liked and truly respected. That's a huge deal for a bunch of cynical and bitter college age kids at the Zoo. I remember his speech. Usually speakers were ignored or worse by a bunch of disrespectful jack asses, this time everyone left the auditorium in dead silence. In any event, congrats USAFE I think you have a great new commander. Link below to the transcript: Gen Welsh's speech

Just kinda wondering, if they ever get the J off the ground, and regular joe-schmo slick guys switch to the J, what would the service commitment be? Would there be one since it would be going from C-130 to C-130? Any guesses out there? Just asking

Just how bad is it?

As an instructor currently in the pilot training enterprise, I think it's safe to say that "UPT Next" has enough momentum that it's here to stay. https://warontherocks.com/2019/01/rebuilding-the-forge-reshaping-how-the-air-force-trains-fighter-aviators/ That being said, I'm interested in hearing what FTUs and Ops Units are seeing with regard to baseline results.

I just finished reading Charlie Wilson's War, about the Texas Congressman and his efforts to support the Muj during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan (it's a great book if you are interested in the subject), and it got me to thinking that we could get a thread going on some recommended books. I know we've touched on this before, I just want to revive the topic. I just got my paperback copy of Tommy Frank's American Soldier and can't wait to start that, but I am also trying to finish Tom Clancy's Shadow Warriors--Inside the Special Forces (great insight into the development of US SF during VietNam, many of the lessons learned there parallel today's challenges in…

I started a new topic for this to consolidate all of the 46 info since they will be coming on-line in the next three years. McConnell has been selected as Main Operating Base #1. https://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20130522/NEWS/305220007/McConnell-AFB-selected-new-tanker-base Pease is in line to get the first for the ANG pending an environmental impact analysis. https://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20130522/NEWS/305220012/Pease-get-new-line-refueling-tankers Still no word on where the school house will be.

Does anyone else feel stabbed in the back by this? Instead of fixing the problems that make people want to get out, he wants to make it harder for his pilots to get hired by the airlines? What a low blow...or am I reading this wrong?

Many of these topics have been discussed here piecemeal before, but my Google-fu has failed to turn up any dedicated thread. I know we have many retirees & separatees (current or imminent), so hopefully this thread will be value-added. So, I've dropped my papers--I get promoted to "Mister" on 1 July. So far, the retirement outprocessing stuff has been a lot like a PCS, just more painful. I think I've got my brain wrapped around most of it so far, with a couple of glaring exceptions. I'm hoping some of the ORFs who have gone before me can help me work out the best answer(s) for myself & my wife. Particulars: retiring as an O-5 with 21 yrs, 8 mos; marri…

This would be a kick in the nut sac: https://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/11/military-budget-recommendations-retirement-cuts-111710w/ Second task force seeks to cut retired pay By Rick Maze - Staff writer Posted : Wednesday Nov 17, 2010 17:01:47 EST The military retirement system is under attack from another group trying to cut federal spending, and this time they say they would make the changes apply even to current service members who have less than 15 years of service. In a report released Nov. 17, the Debt Reduction Task Force of the Bipartisan Policy Group recommends cutting military retirement costs in half by making three changes: • Instead of dra…

New thread to show how it's all about as I say not as I do... Luxury and corporate jets to receive special exemptions from European Union aviation fuel tax - TheBlaze

Initial report of TB among illegal immigrant minors at Lackland https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/07/07/immigration-crisis-tuberculosis-spreading-at-camps/ Not for a iron fist response, a lot of them are young kids in a very vulnerable spot but this is a turning point - we're going to control who comes in and stays or not. This latest crisis makes me think we don't need a pivot to Asia but a pivot to Central America.

Hello friends. 6 to 9 month ago, I retired as a T-38 IP reservist. Talking to friends that are still hacking the mish (cool pilot talk 🙂 ), they are seeing numerous problems in T-38 land. 1st, the reduction in T-6 syllabus flying time is noticeable in newbie skill level and SA. 2nd, flight room daily morning briefs and daily stand-up are a thing of the past due to.... 3rd, IP manning is terrible. Supposedly AETC needed 249 IPs in FY 2019, they got 150 - everyone is separating. 4th, there are not enough civilian simulator instructors. Anyone else seeing the same stuff? I am drinking Belgian beer in Belgium right now. I hope you all find your way off the sinking s…

Our SQ/CC told us that the CSAR-X will be announced tomorrow, and since there are a number of fellow -60 guys on here figured I'd start a thread about it. General feeling around our squadron is that it will be the -47, which has met with pretty general disapproval.

It's official, OCPs are coming. 2-piece flight suits for non-ejection seat aircraft and it sounds like they are going to eventually test the 2-piece flight suit for ejection seat aircraft down the road. https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1520066/air-force-transitions-to-a-single-combat-uniform/

I'm trying to decide between USAA or stay with US Bank. I don't need any loans, just savings and checking. Has anyone dealt with both of these?

Will the F-22 ever have capability to carry stuff outside the internal bay (i.e. on hardpoints on the wings)? I thought I read something to this effect early on in the program. Like they would only use the internal bays during the first days of the war, then once we had blown up all the radar sites, and the stelath was no longer needed, they would hang weapons out on the wings to be able to bring more firepower to the fight.

I'm going to PIT this summer and was hoping to get some gouge so I know what to expect. I'd like to take my wife too. What is the lodging on and off base like? And the really important question... How much do they pay you while your at PIT? Thanks for your help.

Isn't this why we went to the ABUs in the first place? https://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123240205 1/27/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Airmen deploying to Afghanistan in 2011 will see a new uniform issued to them as part of their deployment gear beginning in March. While Airmen have been faced with a slew of uniform changes in recent years, this new uniform is not a matter of image or heritage but instead has resulted from a joint initiative that ensures all outside-the-wire deployers in Afghanistan, regardless of branch of service, have the best ground combat uniform in order to enhance combat effectiveness. According to Lt. Col. Shawna McGowan, the Air Forc…

I’ve talked about commercial training for ratings for a SGTO a bit before but here’s an actual AETC article talking about it. It’s the brain child of Matt Leard the AETC/A5/8. https://www.aetc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4024636/us-air-force-partners-with-academia-industry-to-test-future-pilot-production-mo/ oh and the T-7 is still a dumpster fire. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/usaf-rejiggers-t-7-plan/

So, there i was for the 10th plus time at finance, its 1 day before i am supposed to pick up my rental truck and other equipment before i PCS 2 days from now. I go to the counter like i always do, sign in, sit down and wait..... I consider myself fairly up-to-speed on things like filling out forms, following up, getting as much info as possibe, and looking up the regs to educate myself on how the world goes around at finance but, with all these precautinary steps, and my prior reserve/enlisted experience I still am amazed how unreliable finance is. I turned in my paperwork early like i always do, and of course for my DITY move advance (60% upfront), and all other pay allo…

To USAFE Fighter Pilots- Thought I'd pass this along and see what ya'll thought. I need your help. During a recent 4-star meeting, we talked about what appears to be a pending fighter pilot shortage. The AF's rated personnel management folks are projecting a 300 fighter pilot shortfall in FY13 that could grow to over 1000 by FY21. They also told us that the fighter community's bonus "take rate" is 10% lower than the rest of the rated community. Obviously, many of you are leaving, or thinking about leaving, the Air Force for other opportunities. If you've already made the decision to do so, then please accept my sincere thanks for your service and best wishes fo…

Whenever I have asked someone about their experience in an airframe, I have always heard nothing but positive things. I am sure most of all airframes are a blast to fly, but like anything else there has to be cons as well. Most students tend to decide on what they want to fly based on what they see at an airshow or a tv show, but there is always more to it when you get into the thick of things. If you are currently flying one of these airframes or have flown them in the past, could you provide current feedback and opinion on the following subjects? Honest rants and praise on these platforms much appreciated. 1. Ops Tempo/Deployment 2. Lifestyle/ …

Just thought I'd remind everyone that the new BAH rates came out today. Got a nice increase (almost $300) for my duty zip code duty station. Here's the direct link to the calculator. https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/bahCalc.cfm