General Discussion

Received this email a few moments ago. I hope it is a hoax, but I fear it is not. "A head's up. Starting 8 Sep 08, the direction from the new CSAF is that everyone in the AF will wear blues (not Class A blouse) every Monday. Direction is forthcoming. This came from the recent off site the Chief had here in D.C. with all 4-stars and 2 letters."

Just how bad is it?

I never spent time in USAFE but some of the folks in my office did. We sat around today and they told stories about "He who should not be named." Hence the reason I mispelled his name. I heard about 6 or 7 absolutely outlandish stories. Can they really be true? Apparently this fellow got angry because he had ordered his commercial to be played every 45 minutes on AFRTS. While watching TV one day, he realized it had gone longer than 45 minutes with no commercial. He went nuclear and demanded to know why. Well, PA tracked it down and informed him it wasn't on the Euro AFRTS channel, but rather the Pacific AFRTS channel. He then instructed PA to contact PACOM and…

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

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!

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…

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.

Might as well go ahead and get this party started. US STRATCOM Commander ADM Charles A. Richard : "This Ukraine crisis that we're in right now, this is just the warmup" "As I assess our level of deterrence against China, the ship is slowly sinking," he said. "It is sinking slowly, but it is sinking, as fundamentally they are putting capability in the field faster than we are. As those curves keep going, it isn't going to matter how good our [operating plan] is or how good our commanders are, or how good our forces are — we're not going to have enough of them. And that is a very near-term problem." "Undersea capabilities is still the one ... maybe the o…

It appears the moderators don't want this thread out there. But that's ok, cause the "AMS Robot" took care of the topic for us. Check your inboxes at work, guys. If you're an eligible volunteer, you'll find info there (and lots of it!) S&C

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.

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…

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.

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…

Looking for recommendations on schools that have masters programs for people who are tdy alot. Looking for something like Aviation Safety or Management. I guess it would have to be an on-line program or correspondence at best.

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.

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…

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…

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…

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?

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.

https://www.abcaction...-knight-airport This can't end well...

If it's a repost feel free to delete, but saw this on AF news and figured it deserved it's own topic. Source Twice-a-year PT tests will start in January Guess we'll all be having fun busting our a$$ twice per year now. Plus, couldn't they have called the new assessment guys something other than FACs??

An AF major went missing from the mall in Krygyzstan... https://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/09/0...oman/index.html Hope this story turns out good :(

Unconfirmed reports of a tanker down after take-off in Kyrgyzstan: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22397266 If correct, a really bad couple of weeks for US aviation.