General Discussion

Surprised this hasn't been discussed yet... Nice (fake) pic!

Does anyone fly with an automatic (mechanical) watch? Specifically in a high-g airframe? Did the timing get thrown off? Usually I fly with a quartz watch but it’s in for servicing and looking to fly with a Bremont instead. First world problems...

Hoping someone knows some history of the USAF PJ community and might be able to help shed some light. I met someone at a party who says he was an officer PJ, essentially, back in the late 80s and early 90s. The time/location/atmosphere of the discussion didn't really allow me to pin down much in the way of specifics; he said he had been a USAF doc attached to JSOC at Ft Bragg, and had done the same training that the PJs did in terms of Airborne school and some Navy diving school, but he was quite clear in saying, "I wasn't actually a PJ, though." He described being part of a couple of SOF-type adventures abroad, pretty entertaining but seemingly humble storyteller.…

Anybody here had one of the accompanied assignments at Al Udeid? If so, I had a few questions about family living in Doha.

With all of these programs to build the pilot population and pilot training cranking out high numbers of pilots yet we are still looking for more pilots, why doesn’t the Air Force reinstitute aero clubs at bases? I know there are a few remaining. But they are the exception. Thoughts?

I separated active duty (12 yrs), went guard in 2014, and may retire at the end of the yr. I did not initially file for disability because I thought it would hurt my chances getting picked up with a unit or transferring units if I had a rating (WRONG). So I am filing right now. Went in for my initial appointment and he said since it has been over a year from active duty I am required to provide NEXUS statements for everything in my active duty medical records. I thought those were black and white? Has anyone filed after the year point of separating from active duty and had to do that? Any issues you ran into or key wording I should ensure the doc puts in there? …

Discuss... https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/24572/russias-dry-dock-accident-could-have-far-larger-repercussions-than-a-damaged-carrier

Found out I'm going to Columbus AFB for UPT. Is it worth looking for a place to rent/buy off-base or should my wife and I just live on base? No kids, no pets, just us two. Buying would be more for the real estate aspect, so any info on the market down there would be helpful. Thanks in advance!

Anyone have experience with a good VA rep they can point me to? I'm in Pittsburgh, but if I need to travel somewhere to sit down with someone who knows what they're doing, I will. The one I had in Columbus, OH was pants-on-head stupid, so part of my claim was denied. I'd like someone who knows what they're doing to help me with the appeal. Thanks in advance

A nickel on the grass... F-15C Eagles from the 144th Fighter Wing, California Air National Guard from Fresno are participating in Clear Sky 2018. Additionally, a C-130J Super Hercules from the 146th Airlift Wing, Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Calif., has arrived at Vinnytsia AB, Ukraine, to participate in the exercise.

https://news.clearancejobs.com/2018/10/15/dods-defense-travel-system-hacked-employee-credit-card-info-stolen/ We can add DTS to that long list of breaches. Everyone has my SSN now and a great credit score so it's okay. In June 2015, the United States Office of Personnel Management announced that it had been the target of a data breach targeting the records of as many as four million people. This story came from my Google news feed. Damn you Goolgle, your algorithms know me too well. Can your algorithms find women?

Part of the reason I’m able to work the transfer from the Navy to the Air Force is because of the need for pilots. Where does the Air Force plan on getting dudes to fill these squadrons? https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2018/09/17/air-force-calls-for-74-more-squadrons-to-prepare-for-possibility-of-war-against-major-power/?utm_source=clavis

Am I just suffering from being up at 0430 and without caffeine, or has no one posted about this yet? Glad he got out!

Developing, but reports say pilot ejected. Hoping to hear good news on their status soon.

Is it true it’s a 100% promotion rate or is it just close to it? Also, with the changes they’ve made, has it shortened the time to promote at all or are people still waiting months-years to pin on.

1 of 8 can provide the correct WX required to deal with the crap WX at KCVS today and successfully land. Thanks to the FAIP Mafia for providing the CHAFF for filing requirements to KCVS... Grow a pear (!?)... CPs,, CSOs,.... even MPs... W. T. F.!? You're lost. How do you get to your first base!?

Don’t know how many on this forum knew Reagan Whitlow, but he died in a private plane crash tonight, the C-130 community lost a fantastic pilot and better person. Here’s a toast... https://www.kark.com/news/local-news/update-pilot-killed-in-plane-crash-was-retired-lt-colonel-in-air-force/1478582383

Air Force awards $2.4B contract for new helicopters to guard nukes https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/24/politics/air-force-helicopter-contract-nukes/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstories+%28RSS%3A+CNN+-+Top+Stories%29

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2018/09/21/sexual-assault-here-are-the-bases-where-troops-are-most-at-risk/ Discuss...

Hi All, Hopefully this is different enough to warrant not being a side discussion in the "what's wrong with the AF" thread. Obviously there's a decent percentage of Majors punching out due to reasons that have been adequately covered, but I was curious how long it takes new studs/Lt's to become disillusioned and want to get out as well. There's probably a decent spread, but does it seem like most become fed up towards the last few years or is it trending towards less and less time in? Does it seem like more and more pilots are becoming fed up with the fuck fuck games/general fuckery during/around their first ops tour? UPT/first ops seems likes some of the best ye…

I just saw this on the AFPC Facebook page. Has anyone heard much about it? Air Force Personnel Center Yesterday at 9:37 AM · If you’re an officer over 30, you may have thought you couldn’t apply for pilot training. Good news! Air Staff has granted a three-year extension to the limits for both Age and Total Federal Commissioned Service for the 2018 Undergraduate Flyi…

Another baseops guy asked me to share my experience/knowledge of the Career Skills Program. If you're looking to get out early and get setup as you transition to the civilian world the CSP is definitely a great alternative to Palace Chase and a lot less bureaucracy. Once you have a date of separation in the system you can apply for the CSP but at a minimum you have to apply 30 days prior to when you want to start. You can do the CSP for up to 180 days. You will work for a civilian company as an unpaid intern (some other unpaid options available too) while getting all your normal pay and benefits from the AF. Basically you're on PTDY to anywhere you want (and your CC…

We know UPT is stressful. But it is stressful likely because the students are learning new stuff and have never done it before. I believe some of the stress can be taken off if you have prior training that is similar and therefore can perform well on rides. It is easy to do something that you have already done before. I am interested to fly formation, low level flying, maneuvers, tactics, etc with a private instructor and a private aircraft in order to prepare better for UPT. I live in New York city, and if anyone who is/was a fighter/aerobatic pilot and lives in the area is interested to teach few lessons, I am willing to pay out of pocket. Please PM me if anyo…

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2018/09/18/t-6-air-force-trainer-crashes-in-texas/