General Discussion

(Edit because it didn’t come off in flight) Apparently fell off a truck just outside ATL today:

For you U-2 guys that didn't know, Sooch did his first shot in the Virgin Galactic space ship last week. At 170,000', it was still a low altitude test and he doesn't get astronaut wings yet... but it's great to see him finally get into the saddle after 5 years of training. I guess this makes him the highest flyer within our community. Sooch was an '85 commission; came to the U-2 in late '89; U-2 Solo #544; then did the TPS thing and Palmdale U-2 Flight Test, before coming back as the 1 RS commander. Somewhere in the 90's, I recall him making it into a later round for Space Shuttle selection. The guy has mad pilot skills, and is brilliant. The AF in its…

All clear has been given in one area Now reporting there was a training exercise and a possible negligent discharge...must have been someone's first desk pop https://on.whio.com/2KlOWs8 https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2018/08/02/active-shooter-incident-reported-at-wright-patterson-air-force-base/ *edit for more info

For those of you in the MAF (perhaps also the CAF), you may have noticed a significant increase in the amount of currency and continuation requirements. There are now specific requirements from AMC to perform large force exercises for airdrop units as part of currencies, among other new requirements. A lot of this stemmed from Ex Mobility Guardian in 2017 which, for those who were there know, was an absolute clown show. There were absolutely shortcomings with the C-17and C-130’s ability to integrate in a large force tactical environment. It was literally an international embarrassment. However, all of this comes at a time when we are undermanned, overworked …

Anyone know the validity of this? I don't see it anywhere outside of this FB page. If true...thoughts?

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.express.co.uk/news/world/990914/world-war-3-warning-donald-trump-news-nato-montenegro/amp Couldn't the same thing be said about Taiwan? Granted they never poke the Chinese and there is no NATO umbrella or an Article 5. Taiwan is equipped to fight alone according to one of their officers who spoke to us back in the AFROTC days. It was a female officer who gave us the go at it alone speech.

Surprised this didn't make it to the forums. This happened on May 1 and initial reports were vague https://www.reporternews.com/story/news/local/2018/05/01/abilene-based-b-1-bomber-makes-emergency-landing-midland/570523002/ Yesterday however Task and Purpose had this pretty interesting article. https://taskandpurpose.com/b-1b-lancer-emergency-landing/ Granted this is hearsay and rumor at this point, but damn, if this is true helluva job by that crew Breaking News: Hero B-1 Instructor Pilot and crew land B-1B after in flight emergency (IFE). On May 1st, 2018 a two ship out of Dyess Air Force Basedealt with a situation …

Thoughts on these changes? Any idea when some of these things might get implemented? Hoping to head to OTS around November 2018.

Ok, so i understand there is info about rushing units and what not. But i am trying to rush units that seem to hire from within. The reason for going this route is due to the fact that i don't have the flexibility of moving around and i am also running out of time age wise without needing an age waiver. Currently i am 28 and about to turn 29 in a month time isn't on my side. Also i just relocated and bought a condo about 10 months ago due to my wife's job, so the intent is to have about a 400 mile radius of travel and apply to all within that radius. Not super keen on driving 6 hours a few times a month but i am really trying to do what i can to join the reserve or the gu…

Hope everyone had a great 4th! Does anyone have an idea of what the future of JSTARS looks like? Seems like an interesting mission and wondering what would happen if I dropped E-8s. Would this be disadvantageous considering they're planning on retiring the E-8 in the coming years? Currently they have no plans/budget for replacement aircraft correct?

Has anyone tried this? Looks to be an Android equivalent of Foreflight. Is it worth a download?

I'm about to sign up for another Master's class for my Master of Science in Aeronautics at ERAU. I heard SOS counts as some kind of credit toward most ERAU Master's degrees so I wanna make sure I don't take one that I'll get credit for in SOS. Does anyone know what it might count for?

https://freebeacon.com/national-security/b-52-bomber-assists-in-search-of-missing-canoe-off-guam/

I'm currently a 2LT on Active Duty in the Army (non-aviation). Although, I'm excited to serve the next three years of my contract, I'm interested in becoming a pilot in the USAF, either on Active Duty or in the Reserves . I'm currently deployed and have had a great experience interacting with the crew of a C5 on the way into theater and my long term goal is to learn how to fly fixed wing. I've also heard there's been a pilot shortage for quite some time. Is it possible to pivot my career into the Air Force and become a pilot? If so, what does that process look like?

Seeing word on Facebook that Holloman is reporting a mishap with a "manned aircraft". No words on type, nationality, or condition of crew. https://www.alamogordonews.com/story/news/local/community/2018/06/22/holloman-aircraft-crashed-wsmr-cancelling-military-exercise/726450002/ Edit: looks like an A-29, see below.

Of course, the obvious choice at face value is Travis, but I'd like to hear what anyone might have to say regarding Dover. I feel like my wife and I have Cali blinders on and I'd like to take a step back to make sure we are taking everything into consideration. If anyone has lived in both places it would be great to hear about schools for kids, commuting, crime, areas to live, how drastic the cost of living difference is, home buying, etc. But all info is welcome and appreciated.

Meh, most of us don't care... but this is a big deal for many parts of the military, especially for some of the ground pounders that have come to rely on these systems... https://dronedj.com/2018/06/07/department-of-defense-bans-the-purchase-of-commercial-over-the-shelf-uas-including-dji-drones/ Department of Defense bans the purchase of commercial-over-the-shelf UAS, including DJI drones effective immediately “SUBJECT: (U/FOUO) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities (U/FOUO) On May 14, 2018 the DoD Inspector General found that DoD has not implemented an adequate process to access cybersecurity risks associated with using co…

I know some of this information is scattered around on different threads, but I was hoping to make a more comprehensive and easier to access list. If there is already a post that accomplishes this, I apologize in advance for not finding it. What is the most rewarding or fun type of mission that you fly? I know this is likely limited by air frame, but as a wannabe pilot I'd like to know more about what cool mission are out there. Whether it's close air support, aeromedical evac, or left turns for 12 hours over the sandbox I'd love to know more! If you could give an explanation with your response that would be great too. Thank you for any input!

Trying to get some info on this. Just received an informal notification from my commander that I will see one drop with my name on it in the near future. Any info is appreciated. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I was deployed to a location last year that wasn't considered tax free, nor were the missions. However, now the missions are considered to be tax free, retroactively including 2017. What paperwork do I need for finance to pay me my taxes back? TDY orders, flight authorizations, 781, a written statement? Also, one of my buddies took the rotator out to Dhafra. He crossed into CentCom on the 31st, but landed on the 1st of the next month. How can you tell finance that you actually shouldn't pay taxes for that previous month?

For whatever reason, I never hear the proposal of increasing the pilot commitment. Let's say we move it to 15 years or even 20. Of course a number of people will say hell no but I wouldn't be surprised if the AF reached their SUPT recruiting goals. In the 1950s, it was 3 yrs and a degree wasn't a requirement. Then in the 60s, a degree requirement was established and 4 yrs for SUPT. In 70s to 5yrs then to 6yrs. 80s went to 8yrs and in the 90s to 10 years. The AF NEVER has a problem of recruiting pilots. Keeping them in during an airline hiring boom is the primary issue. One other major problem in keeping pilots is that most are single when joining and marry during t…

Kadena saying pilot ejected and has been safely recovered. https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2018/06/11/kadena-air-base-f-15-crashes-off-okinawa/

Saw this article this morning. https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/21363/usaf-reveals-timelines-and-basing-plans-for-its-huge-adversary-support-contract

This is the type of innovation we need. I want to be optimistic that this will become the new AERPS, but I'll be a realist. Although it's been quite some time since I last wore AERPS, this looks much more comfortable and practical. https://www.stripes.com/news/yokota-airmen-improve-gas-mask-with-3d-printer-potentially-saving-air-force-8-million-or-more-1.531504

First of all, I graduate from USAFA in 2019 to establish some context that I will be putting in AFSC preferences in August and not long after that competing for ENJJPT. For the last two years I have been playing mental ping pong trying to figure out whether or not I want to apply for ENJJPT or just elect to go to UPT. I have narrowed down the aircraft that I want to fly in my head eliminating fighters (I think). I have a strong desire to fly in AFSOC, specifically the MC-130 but if not, I would take any platform to be part of that community. If I didn't fall into AFSOC I think I would then place the A-10 as a second choice and then slick C-130's. What I am wonde…