General Discussion

To him. We have too few heroes in this world that deserve looking up to. He was one. https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2019/01/14/air-force-legend-medal-of-honor-recipient-joe-jackson-dies-at-95/

Greetings, my name is Andrea , and I am completing my Master's Degree in Human Resources Management with Thomas Edison State University. For my Capstone, I would like to tackle the issue of the Fighter Pilot shortage in the Air Force. My problem statement is as follows: -In this study, I will investigate the causes and proposed solutions to the fighter pilot shortage described by upper leadership versus the actual pilots themselves. What I mean when I say upper leadership, I am referring to the causes and proposed solutions that have already been publicized, mainly in the Air Force Times. This survey is completely anonymous and your input would be grea…

I need to digitally sign and save AF215 so I can send it via email, however every AF215 online and from EPUBS says I cannot save the document and it won't let me sign it despite having a cac card reader. Anyone have ideas or found a workaround as to how I can save and sign this document?

Has anyone ever successfully received an exception to policy letter after receiving an SRB for OTS? I am in a situation that I have one shot for OTS (November 2019 board) before I have to re-enlist. I think that I would be stupid to not take the bonus as I have no guarantees of ever getting an OTS slot, but it's tough to know I will have to wait 2-3 more years for my goal of an officer slot. Does anyone have experience with this or any advice?

Does anybody have any experience as a school alternate? When were you notified of your selection (or non-selection)? Did your CFM communicate with you at all during the wait?

USAF (# 15/17) is better than TSA (DHS # 17/17)...barely... https://bestplacestowork.org/rankings/overall/large It's science...must be true, and it's a strat!!!...the USAF understands those. This one is bottom third, aka monitor for Command!! https://bestplacestowork.org/rankings/detail/AF00

I'm about to retire at the end of the month. Off the top of your head, can you remember anything that you had to sign up for in terms of benefits that was time critical? Anything you would have done differently or forgot to do? Thanks and happy holidays

https://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/usafserials.html I’ve randomly perused this guys stuff for almost 10 years. He digs up some interesting data on these war machines and didn’t see him posted on here before so I thought i’d share. He catalogs most if not all public military aircraft bureau numbers and their associated history. It’s pretty thorough (imo) and is updated regularly. On a cautionary note...i’ve literally “wasted” hours of my life on this site because i just kept going down the rabbit hole. It is a deep one... Enjoy.

Random question/probably not uncommon situation I just got picked up for OTS to be a pilot (hooray!) and my soon-to-be-wife is leaving for OTS to be a pilot in a couple of months as well. We’re both Prior-Es. We’re very optimistic we can both get the same base for UPT, so that’s not the issue, and even if it were, not the end of the world. More importantly, in all of yours guys’ experience, how does Join Spouse work for two pilots starting out? She’ll be ahead of me in the pipeline about 6 months. We’re *hoping* she gets an aircraft and then I can just get that same one at drop night 6 months later, but I’ve been in the Air Force far too long to get excited abo…

Yep, you read that right. I have been a Guard Pilot for about 7 years and I am wanting to make a lifestyle change and transition to Active Duty. I have sent a lot of emails and made a lot of phone calls and for some reason keep hitting walls. I was told by AFPC, to paraphrase: Nah, that process doesn't exist...it might at some point, but it doesn't now. Have a nice day. Given that there is an explicit and often used process for interservice transfers, I am really surprised to find that there is not an easy way to transition from the ARC...especially with all the TFI they constantly cram down our throats. The Active Duty is in a Pilot shortage crises (as we al…

We lost a great one this weekend, Chris “Hook” Dupin. He was a board member here (although not active for awhile). Hook was a an F-15 WSO, TPS grad, and about to separate to the Reserves (I don’t think it had been finalized yet but I could be wrong). He owned a flight school in Destin and was really building it up, which was one of the reasons he was separating. Hook was flying with a student in his RV-12 (I actually flew with him in it the day after he bought it for the company) and crashed shortly after takeoff. He survived the crash but succumbed to his injuries a few hours later. I’ve been at a complete loss for words since I found out a couple days ago. I didn’…

Damn.

Saw this on FB...have heard the pictures are legit but no other info... whatever the cause, it's going to be pricey!

SEAL charged with killing an insurgent that was being treated medically, steroid use, obstruction of justice. https://taskandpurpose.com/navy-seal-war-crimes-charge-sheet/ Two SEALs and two MARSOC Marines charged with killing a Green Beret, obstruction of justice, hazing, and burglary. https://taskandpurpose.com/charge-sheets-seals-raiders-green-beret/

https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/new-mexico-dairy-concerned-about-air-force-contamination/1605588769 CE - "It's not our problem." Who hires the people in CE?

For those on AD, I take it you saw the AFPAK Hands solicitation we sent out today. I hope you give strong consideration to volunteering. We are ramping that program back to full capacity, and A1 will facilitate. ISIS is altering the battlefield and we must have many, many more air power experts on the ground with long-term continuity, earning the trust and respect of the tribal leaders, especially in the remote mountainous regions of both countries. Many amazing carrots to participating: attend NIU for IDE, work at the Pentagon with some of our greatest minds of our time, free language training, and likely early promotions to both Lt Col & Col. Finally, a real sh…

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...

Disclaimer: Im a 2LT in the herk world. I dont claim to be an Old Head or anything like that. So, I have avoided being a SNAP for most of my short time in the AF. Mainly be knowing that my job for the most part is to STFU and do what I am told without having to bug people about how to do it, but I have noticed lately a lot of people talking around this board on topics they have no experience in and really no business commenting on. The lack of search function use has always been a common problem, but whatever, dealing with that is like changing the tides. So, I would like the Old Heads around here to share what they think people who havent put their time in (mysel…

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

The pseudo-thread hijack that started in the no more position and hold thread got me thinking about the responsibilities and training involved with Air Traffic Control that few aircrew (unless you've been SOF) get to see. I'd like those familiar with the ATC rules and regulations to chime in here. I already know some of these answers, I'm asking mostly to get discussion started and answers from those who are qualified in the subject matter. 1 - Just like we train our pilots through UPT, IFF, and FTU, the controllers have a training upgrade flow. Where does that occur (are there primary initial training bases) and how long does it last? 2 - Just like we can be Q3'd, …

Developing, but sounds like someone ( mechanic?) stole a plane from Sea Tac airport. Took off. Got intercepted. Did a barrell roll. Crashed. Horizon Q-400 These attachments show Sheriff airplane circling crash

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.…

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.

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