General Discussion

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…

I've had one now for about 3 years, and see them all over the military. If you have one or are planning on buying one, please submit the name and brief history of the hero. Here's the history and background of Cpl John C. Keiper - who's name is engraved on my silver bracelet. ************************************************* Name: Keiper, John Charles Rank: Corporal/E-4 Branch: United States Marine Corps Unit: HAMS 16, MAG 16 Date of Birth: 18 September 1945 Home of Record: Renovo, Pennsylvania Date of Loss: 15 November 1966 Country of Loss: South Vietnam Loss Coordinates: 162535N 1074619E (ZD150045) Status: Missing In A…

I was hoping to get some input from the heavy pilots into the differences between the type of flying involved with airlift missions and air refueling missions and some pro/cons of each. Which is more interesting or fun to fly? I assume refueling is a lot of straight-and-level over long periods of time and airlift would involve a little more finessed flying but that’s just my impression as an outside observer. I’ve been submitting applications to both types trying to get a heavy slot. I’d like to know a little more about the ins-and-outs and the subtleties that people might not know about. What you like or dislike, etc. Thanks in advance!

Hey all - I've been on hold with the total force call center for 45 minutes now, so I figure it wouldn't hurt to reach out to you fine folks and see if someone here has the answer I need. I understand that if I were to transfer my benefits today, I would have to commit to another 4 years of service. I am eligible to retire in January 2021, and I was wondering if they'd make me extend my service beyond that date?

All of the talk in the PRF/promotion thread about MyVector, etc, made me start wondering about jobs at the O-4/O-5 level. I’m getting nearer to my switch over to the AF and I’m trying to get some clarity on what I can expect as I don’t have access to anything in MyVector, etc. For SA, I’m switching over to fly the 135, and my first set of orders will have me with a squadron flying like normal. After that, what options exist? For comparison, in the Navy after a senior O-4 tour with a squadron, if you don’t make squadron command there’s an almost zero percent chance of ever flyingp again. From what I understand, there’s a higher likelihood of flying in the Air Fo…

https://www.al.com/news/2019/05/former-delta-force-commander-dies-in-lawnmower-accident-at-alabama-home.html 🍺🍺 To the elite.

My wife and I are moving to Hickam on Friday, Just wondering if anyone has any last minute tips on housing/jobs. Thanks

Last Doolittle Raider Dick Cole passed away at 103 years old, IAW af.mil and other sources. Ref: https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1809760/lt-col-dick-cole-last-surviving-doolittle-raider-passes-away-at-age-103/ Thank you for your service sir. Not just the Raid, which was HUGE and I'm sure many thought was a suicide mission, but all your contributions to the war effort and beyond. 🥃

I have a general question about flight training with the military translating into the civilian world. If someone enters UPT without a license and works their way through flight school, do they earn instrument ratings, multi engine ratings, etc. just like they would in the civilian world? How would that be applied if they don’t have a PPL? Are they automatically applied to their civilian ratings or would a pilot have to sit for a written/oral/practical exam as a civilian as well? I’m assuming the knowledge is the same or very similar. Military pilots have to know how to fly instrument approaches and multi engine aircraft. As a follow-up, does a mi…

Is scratch paper given to you at the test? Taking it tomorrow.

Attended the Travis AFB Thunderbird Airshow last weekend. I couldn't help but notice the wearing of 2 piece flight suits by more than a few AF crew members. Is the one piece flight suit being phased out? Which units are authorized in wearing the 2 piece? Is it optional or required? What are your feelings on the wearing of the 2 piece? I assume it's more functional but less appealing to me. I guess the AF is returning to its Army roots, with the OCPs and 2 piece flight suits. By the way, the female Thunderbird pilot's weekend performance was the best in the group while putting on her makeup in flight.