General Discussion

Can general aviation peeps file an 1801?

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…

Just saw this in the news this morning. I thought this would have already been posted here, but couldn't find it. I'd like to buy this guy a beer. I bet he has some insane stories. U.S. Air Force veteran accused as mercenary in Libya’s civil war is freed June 25 at 10:48 PM An American Air Force veteran who was accused of acting as a mercenary in Libya has been freed after a six-week detention, officials said Tuesday, in a murky episode that highlights the tangled nature of that country’s civil war. Jamie Sponaugle, a 31-year-old Florida man, was piloting an aircraft near the Libyan capital of Tripoli on May 7 when his plane went down, according to off…

Has anyone ever successfully fought a commander directed Q3? If so, what is the winning strategy? I realize that there are times when a commander directed Q3 is warranted, but I have also heard way too many stories of BS ones too - mainly from risk averse commanders attempting to save face in front of their boss. Other than an MFR to the next highest commander in the chain, what should one do to contest it? -9- Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I just got out of pilot training and I'm heading to Kadena, Japan. Does anyone have any info about it?

First time poster and I know it's a stupid question but had to ask. I'll explain. I'm a Navy pilot and mod over at airwarriors. Lately we've had a rash of posers pretending to be aviators. They've been exposed, much to their chagrin. To think, people pretending to be something they are not on the net . Anyway, on another forum a guy claims to be an F-16 pilot and AF lawyer, a major select at age 26. He might very well be, I don't really know but he does call it the Fighting Falcon and makes some other strange claims. Anyway, it has become an issue of discussion. So I told him I would ask about it both here and F16.net. Obviously I have way to much time on my han…

What would you do? Disclaimer: this is worth zero AWC or ACSC credits

From War on the Rocks: https://warontherocks.com/2019/04/air-force-manned-reconnaissance-at-a-crossroads/ From the article: The world today isn’t the Cold War world of yesterday, and Cold War requirements should not justify acquisition of new assets for tomorrow’s military needs. The RC-135’s innocence has long been compromised as it has evolved from its original peacetime role into a valuable combat asset, but both missions must be performed in the future. No single replacement solution can meet both of these disparate operational requirements. The U.S. Air Force must look beyond its obsession with warfighting to identify and procure a second manned big-wi…

Okay my question might be a little dull but my question is genuine. I have been doing research but I am kind of stuck on a point. So my question is what are your suggestions for schools for flight training and particularly ones that offer a bachelors degree? UND, Embry Rittle, and Bridgewater is all out of my state and I don't see the point of going out of state, if I can find a college in state that would be much more affordable. Im in Virginia. Also another thing I have been researching is whether I should join first then go to college or join later out of college? And will they still pay the tution? What are my options cause I can't seem to make up my mind on thi…

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-30614627 Cap-10

They say that if you get paid to do something you love, then you never work a day in your life. But they also say that if you throw money in the mix, it makes that 'hobby' feel more like work. When you're off the clock so to say, do you ever still feel like flying? I've heard stories of certain people getting out of the Air Force or Navy and never flying again but it seems like a lot of people enjoy the career path. I feel like I won't ever get tired of it but how has it affected you? Do you take your family flying for fun? Ever have planes on buying a small plane? Are the huge amounts of commercial pilots from the Air Force an indicator of a lack of flight time…

I may not get a response to this question. Pilots normally don't give a sh t. Does the Major service cap have the farts and darts or is it for Lt Cols and above.

A guy I know saw it today. I'm sure Phoenix is a-buzz with talk.

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

Anyone else watch that? Interesting piece that talked about the frat where an ODA inadvertently called a strike on themselves and the B-1 was unable to see the friendlies marked by strobes. Thoughts? Perspective from that incident?

Just heard from a friend. Anyone confirm?

I believe the AF SUPT max age without a waiver is still 30. As of last month the Navy increased their age for pilots and NFOs training to the age of 32. For those AF SUPT applicants that were turned down for age consideration, the Navy may be an option. No word on USMC age changes. Remember in going Naval Air, approximately 50% are assigned helos as an initial assignment. But they do have P-8 (737s) waiting in the wings for all you future airline pilot hopefuls.

How should we be logging our hours to meet airline requirements. Does anyone have any SA on this? Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2019/05/21/trump-taps-barbara-barrett-former-aerospace-corporation-chair-as-next-air-force-secretary/ Seems like a strong pick.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/27998/shot-down-the-usaf-now-wants-to-air-drop-you-an-air-taxi-to-fly-you-out-to-safety https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/a27508870/air-taxi-air-force/ Did a quick, non-exhaustive search to no avail. Things like this, plus CAF PR’s inability to sell themselves to AFSOC as a worthwhile platform signify the quickly approaching end to AF CSAR. Not overnight mind you, but it’s coming... Edited to add another link. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/27932/f-35-aggressor-squadron-to-be-activated-at-nellis-air-force-base

Previous thread was from 2007 and lumped in with the HC, I'll try and keep this first post up to date. Command: AFSOC Crew: Pilot, CP, CSO, LMs Mission: Commando II flies clandestine, or low visibility, single or multiship, low-level air refueling missions for special operations helicopters and tiltrotor aircraft, and infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply of special operations forces (SOF) by airdrop or airland intruding politically sensitive or hostile territories. The MC-130J primarily flies missions at night to reduce probability of visual acquisition and intercept by airborne threats. Its secondary mission includes the airdrop of leaflets. Sele…

Where did helmet art go? Post images here to develope a collection.

Anyone else a little worried that a former Boeing exec has been nominated to be the SecDef? Beware the military-industrial complex! Trump Nominated Shanahan

Hi guys. I'm one of the regional pilots who joined here when we had our poser become national news. Please forgive me if I'm asking a dumb question. Last week I was in my local library and picked out a book on the first Schweinfurt raid in 1943. As I was reading it, I remembered that my grandmother had once mentioned that she lost a cousin on a mission to Schweinfurt. This book has a detailed but incomplete list of casualties and my relative is not mentioned there. Of course, he could have been killed on a later mission. So. I've been wondering if anyone knows of an office anywhere in the Air Force or Army that might be able to tell me something about this guy…