General Discussion

Doh! https://www.yahoo.com/news/m/cc408092-a77c-35c8-8bab-6070a14962aa/ss_f-16-lands-safely-at-phoenix.html

While everyone has their panties in a wad arguing about Trump and Russia, the Syrians just shot down an Israeli Viper...Massive response launched. The plane made it back to Israeli territory before it crashed, the pilots was recovered and taken to the hospital, one in serious condition. Another Iranian Drone launched from Syrian entered Israel...this could get ugly.

The BBC is reporting a Su-25 was shot down in Syria. They're saying the pilot got out but was killed by rebels on the ground. BBC: Su-25 Down in Syria

Hi all, I'm really hoping you guys can set me straight here. I was picked up for an AD pilot slot last year and am waiting to go to OTS later this year. I currently have a great finance job at Lockheed and they are literally begging me to stay. While I don't hate what I do, I've spent the last 4 years of my life wondering... is this really it?? Am I just going to make my way up the finance ladder, then retire and slowly rot away? That caused me to apply for a pilot slot, as it's something that I've always wanted to do and offers a meaning to life that I don't think I'd find in many other places. Now, a year after being accepted and waiting in the OTS pipeline... It …

want to get in shape during your next deployment? this app lets you find popular routes at nearly every deployed us military location as well as other places. dont forget your fitbit/apple watch! https://labs.strava.com/heatmap/#13.92/51.31611/25.12240/hot/all https://labs.strava.com/heatmap/#14.97/36.99188/35.04879/hot/all https://labs.strava.com/heatmap/#15.63/38.92630/36.26115/hot/all https://labs.strava.com/heatmap/#14.41/-103.33138/34.39362/hot/all

Hi all, I am a recently separated ANG member who is doing some volunteer work with my church. Does anyone have a point of contact that I could contact for mailing several hundred pounds of donated items overseas? Thank you. BC memsecur@yahoo.com

Anybody think its a ironic that the day the gov shuts down is the same day that our W-2's are available and myPay is currently unavailable? Or did we just simply overload the system with us all trying to get our W-2's so we can get our money back?

Hello All, I joined the Air Force with an MBA; however, I was hoping to use AF Tuition Assistance to earn a second Master's degree in a technical field. With that being said, I recently was made aware that the TA Program will not pay for lateral or lesser degrees. My question for you all is, is there a waiver process to get around this stipulation and take advantage of the TA program, or are there any other programs I could use to earn a second Masters aside from the GI bill or the Hazlewood Act? Thanks for the help!

Any guys on the forum flying for these guys? Is it a full time gig? I.e. are guys also flying for the guard / airlines? How's the quality of life? Looks like Draken has a location in Nimes France - anyone fly out of there? Thanks.

JFK Airport ATIS.

Hangar 24 AirFest is going to be a two-day event for 2018 (19-20 May). It's in Redlands, CA... Airport is KREI... runway is 4504' x 75'. https://www.airnav.com/airport/KREI Can a T-6 get a waiver to land there? They would really like one since military support is big deal with Hangar 24. This is will be a cool event. PM me if interested.

Need a little help. Had a trip pop up in the next two days a need an airline ticket. Being the holidays can’t get a DTS approval AND all the fund cites don’t have enough money in them. Don’t want to put it on my credit card because the OG/RA doesn’t reimburse personal cards. Any suggestions?

Pretty straight forward question: I'm prior Active, now currently CA Nat'l guard AMMO troop for the past couple of years. I was wondering what are the chances of being deployed in the Nat'l Guard if shit went down, like a war with N. Korea or some kind of conflict? And let's say if my unit doesn't get deployed during a time of conflict, can I volunteer to go active? Thanks!

https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2017/12/18/richard-petty-bubba-wallace-sponsor-air-force/ "Different pots of money" and all. Gee, I wonder why all the pilots are getting out?

Had an interesting conversation with an IP who has a friend "in the 'know'". This is basically third-hand information, so I apologize in advance if something was lost in translation if you happen to have more detailed intel. He mentioned the Air Force is "considering" standing up a program whereby recently separated military aviators who graduated from Air Force UPT or Naval Primary would be recruited to continue federal service as a civilian T-6 IP? Interestingly enough, he also mentioned that under the auspices of this program, "highly-qualified" civilian accessions 'might' be eligible too. The criteria for direct civilian IP accessions isn't set in stone, but he said t…

Just me or are there a lot of commanders getting axed this year? 375th WG/CC fired https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2017/12/12/wing-commander-at-scott-air-force-base-fired-after-5-months-on-the-job/ WS/CC fired https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2017/09/26/air-force-squadron-commander-was-fired-after-allegedly-drinking-on-duty/ This dude was screwing around with an E-4... on the surface it seems he deserved it. https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2017/05/02/squadron-commander-at-moron-air-base-relieved-of-duty/ Thunderbirds https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2017/11/29/air…

Hello folks, I'm a T-38 stud and my dream sheet is due next Friday. I wanted to ask for advice from some of the seasoned dudes around here who have experience doing the mission and know the ins and outs of combat aviation and what it really means to be an operational fighter pilot. There are a few things I know with absolute clarity: 1) I want to be a fighter pilot, period, dot , the end. 2) I want to have a kinetic impact on whoever it is we fight, i.e. rain hate on bad guys. 3) There is an incredible amount that I don't know that I don't know. Given those conditions, I want to ask the question, if you had to go back and talk to your ~24 yr old self about to fill out you…

I'm just going to leave this right here.... https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2017/12/06/enlisted-combat-pilots-the-air-force-is-launching-a-test-that-could-lead-to-that/

Each service was given the opportunity to set their own bonus. It could be handed out at the 8-12 year mark and the amount could be anywhere between 2.5-13X your base pay based upon the needs of the service. Accepting adds a 4 year ADSC... AF finally released their details. You get 2.5X base pay for an additional 4 years. It will be handed out at the 12 year mark for all those who opt into the BRS. For the officers its: 2.5 X $7230 (Major over 12) = 18,075 After taxes approx $13,556 $3,390 per year LOL

https://m.aviationweek.com/defense/usaf-grounds-t-6-trainers-after-hypoxia-events The U.S. Air Force has grounded the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II training aircraft at Vance AFB, Oklahoma, after five pilots reported physiological episodes with hypoxia-like symptoms while flying. The Air Force’s 71st Flying Training Wing enacted an “operational pause” of T-6 flying operations on Nov. 15 after four T-6 instructor pilots and one student pilot assigned to Vance reported physiological incidents since Nov. 1, spokeswoman Terri Schaefer told Aviation Week Nov. 29. In each case, the aircraft’s backup oxygen system operated as designed and the pilots followed the correc…

Anyone heard of this?

The Air Force MARS Phone Patch Net has been operational since the Vietnam War. Hundreds of patches daily were handled through the early 80’s when bases starting closing their MARS stations. Today the net is tasked to handle DoD patch requests in support of transports, tankers, bombers and other aircraft and ground units handling routine weather, ETA/Customs, maintenance, etc. calls as well as emergency support. Morale calls are still happily handled. For more information see the website below. In the fall of 2014 the Chiefs of AF & Army MARS approved joint operations with AF and AR MARS stations participating. Chief Air Force MARS has approved a re-d…

Who has the skinny on the F-16 RTU students who never flew in Phase III at SUPT and just did sims? I hear there are 2 at Kelly, certainly we have a UPT or Kelly instructor on here to verify. There is more to the rumor but it’s hard to believe. It certainly would increase production quickly.

Quick question and I apologize if this had been covered before.... We are being told the "New" definition of a stop over point now forced you to get Per diem for where the jet is at midnight not where you crew rest... In point we have a trip where we drop into Guam to pick up pax, etc (cross midnight while doing so) and them go on to Hawaii for crew rest. Our good idea fairy in the FM shop wants us to get Guam Per diem instead of Hawaii where we are crew resting... Are we missing something here? Is this happening to other squadrons? To us it doesn't make any sense......we should be getting Per diem based on where we pay for a hotel, food, etc?

https://www.laughlin.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1377774/media-release-downed-aircraft-in-del-rio/ "LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- An Air Force T-38 Talon assigned here at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, crashed at approximately 4 p.m. today approximately 14 miles northwest of the base near Spur 454 and U.S. 90 in Del Rio, Texas. At the time of release, Laughlin emergency response personnel and local responders were on scene to assist in recovery efforts. A board of officers will investigate the accident. Additional details will be provided as information becomes available."