General Discussion

Gents, Time to figure out my next assignment, seeking insights. First tour was as slick nav, 2nd has been in flight test. Will be moving right at my 10 year mark, 9 months or so after Major's board. Mobility mission I knew is pretty much gone. Could go to Pensacola, AFSOC, or ACC to keep flying, but I know staff is coming sooner or later. Considering option of instructing at ROTC. I think it'd be rewarding (in a different way), fun, stable, and conducive to family time & hobbies. Anyone know what happens to aviators after a tour instructing? If it means never returning to cockpit, that might be a deal breaker.

Check it out on the Portal. PSDM 13-74 for officers and 13-73 for enlisted (both listed as FOUO or I'd post them). Matrix that defines which AFSC's will be eligible not yet up, but I have a feeling we all know who won't be eligible! Big points: HAVE to retire by 1 Nov 13 Application window 29 July to 19 Aug ADSCs MAY be waived Not first come first serve Retirement reduced by 1% per year prior to 20 Full military retirement benefits

Are any of you flying in there in a military aircraft for static display?

All of you asked for change, enjoy your 31 flavors of ice cream. https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2018/05/21/no-more-group-commanders-air-force-tests-new-wing-design-that-gives-squadron-commanders-more-leeway/?utm_source=clavis

@argstarted the other thread about Gunships in Desert Storm and I recommended a war stories thread because I’m sure this group has some good ones. I’ll kick it off. Decmeber 2, 2014 Nangahar, Afghanistan Flying Draco out of Bagram and a raid comes down that we’re going to support and run the stack for. We weren’t doing hits every night but by dumb luck, I’d been on a few as we rolled through the schedule. As some of you know, they’re usually a bit hectic at first when the helo lands and then it’s pretty chill as they make callouts and not much would happen so that was what I expected. We brief up, get out there, get everyone checked in and ready to go. We had 2…

Just saw this on CNN... Video at the link. More details...

Going to be commissioning in a few years; I'll have a few years in already as a prior enlisted guy, but what can I expect as a new LT? How am I going to get messed with? What assumptions are people going to make of me? What are somethings I should definitely NOT do (besides make threads like this)?

Final Report is out: https://afcommission.whs.mil/public/docs/AF%20Report.pdf

https://thediplomat.com/2014/04/us-philippines-enhanced-defense-cooperation-agreement-bolsters-pivot-to-asia/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/04/28/remarks-president-obama-filipino-and-us-armed-forces-fort-bonifacio The President (or somebody from the US government) signed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the Philippines yesterday. I glanced through the brief 10 pages of the agreement, and it does not stipulate the number of personnel, aircraft, vessels, or locations, but that certainly will follow in the next few years. FYI for anybody with memories of Clark AB, the former installation now has some 50K residents and is a sizable inte…

I hear a lot of talk about military traffic patterns with fixes and all kinds of stuff. What does a military traffic pattern actually consist of? Is a VFR pattern more like an approach or is it just a general procedure?

I was wondering how most units assign STATESIDE callsign numbers, i.e., Speedo 60, Pogo 21. Do most folks get a choice in the matter or are they just assigned one? If you get a choice, are there any cool stories associated with how people chose their numbers? And if there are any OPSEC issues with this tread, please delete is ASAP.

Greetings, Anyone in or around HRT/AFSOC hear a rumor about the 1 SOW OG/CC recently putting a CV-22 into the trees about 200m short of the LZ, then throwing the copilot in his seat, jumping off the bird while the crew continues the mission, and then handing out Q3s to everyone for it all? Plus, we haven't heard anything about it at any safety meetings. Im sure I dont have all the facts but it sounds pretty lowball to me.

Im in love with the t-6 It seems like one sweet trainer. I was wonderin if any of yall are flying that now; and what yall think about it. Does it compare much to a cessna 152 :D

Hey just looking for some input regarding the landing fees from people who have been into some of the larger airports on XCs. We've got two T-6s looking to head up to Chicago this weekend and it looks like the DoD contractor at KMDW has shut down, meaning we have to head into O'Hare if we want to make it. I guess most city airports (JFK, LaGuardia, LAX, etc) charge a fee or tax for landing. Signature quoted $350 for a Pilatus landing there (no handling or ramp fees for Mil) but I'm wondering if the city waves that fee for us. They're not entirely sure at Signature so I'm wondering if any of you all have flown into O'Hare or other city airports and what you've found…

I was scrolling through my MP3s and found an old forgotten favorite of mine from college. Its an Irish folk song by a guy named Christy Moore. Its called Lisdoonvarna, and I can attest that its a great drinking song especially when all in the place of drink is singing and there is someone playing a spoon and a cookiesheet. Great times. What are your favorite drinking songs?

I've come to a time in my life where I have to decide what I want to do for myself and my girlfriend. I'm wanting to apply for Marine PLC air program, but I realize that Marine Pilots do get deployed on ships, and they don't have as many fixed winged aircraft. I've never even considered the Guard til now. Not that I was being close minded, I just always thought the Marines was the place for me. I like the idea of being able to fly, which is what I want to do, and being home with my wife. She has a career and I have to appreciate that. I'm not married. I've been with this girl for almost four years, and I want what is best for the both of us. While I can't give up my d…

Had a question about cross flowing. I know we can go to other AMC platforms once we are in AMC, but can we cross flow to other platforms outside of AMC? Also, if we flew T-38s in UPT, are we allowed to go to a fighter or would it be easier? Get re-spun up on the -38, go to IFF, then RTU? Just curious if anyone has heard of someone doing this before. Only things that come to mind is either going to the U-2 or B-2. Thanks.

If you weren't a pilot name a officer job in the AF that you wouldn't mind having. I know there is a huge list but sometimes it takes some working with people or knowing what the job is like/having friends to understand the full description of the job.

From the weird side of aviation... According to the web site, the idea of an Amphibious C-130 was considered back in the early 70's... or is it fake? Can't tell these days... Anyway its an interesting diversion. https://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/a-c-130-hercules-amphibian-makes-too-much-sense-to-be-t-1716610531

https://news.yahoo.com/us-air-force-may-remove-171141507.html

Retirement of Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley DOD News Links 1 2 There were some rumors of who might replace Secretary Donley back in April shortly after he first announced his retirement, but it seems the last few months have gone by fairly quietly regarding this transition. Of moderate newsworthiness, as reported when he was previously appointed and now re-addressed as the new acting Secretary, Under Secretary Eric Fanning, is openly gay. I doubt this needs much, if any, discussion, though it is mentionable. Any opinions on his departure, rumors of change, or discussion of replacements?

Link Looks like the Air Force Global Hawk is being canceled in favor of retaining the U-2. This is interesting that a manned airplane is actually beating out a UAV. I wonder what this means for all the people recently hit with a GH gig but haven't PCSd yet.

F-16 Crashed this afternoon at Luke. I don't have a link handy, nor should I really throw any details up here ... so check the internets for details.

(Probably more of a vent than looking for solid advice from the green screen) So here I sit into my 21st year of service without any ADSCs, a position i was planning to retire from prior to COVID. Now i have been given an unexpected opportunity to attend ASAM for IDE in my third look. So now I’m super torn. On one hand, I know it comes with basically comes with a service commitment to 2025, 1-2 years of staff and 3 PCSs within 3 years. It also would give me a Masters in Operational Mgmt. It’s something I always wanted in life, to make Lt Col and hopefully become a commander. It also provides a ton of long term financial stability for my family. On the other hand th…

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/f-16-jet-crashes-gulf-mexico-crews-searching-pilot-n243011 Here's to hoping the pilot is ok. Update here: Wreckage found. https://www.mypanhandle.com/story/d/story/f16-loses-contact-with-tyndall-air-force-base/12899/39JZdLsPnESY7jdYTqodoA